Further news about blood test results - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,923 members161,751 posts

Further news about blood test results

Dunawori146 profile image
9 Replies

Hello helpful friends

I took my blood tests results to my GP and as you suggested : no vitamins forthcoming! Surprise! She just said I should keep taking Vitamin D and get a Multivitamin which contains Folate - I can't find any that say "Folate".

(btw in multivitamins is Folate and Folic Acid the same thing?)

My GP has now booked for me to have a blood test next Tuesday to check CRP for an inflammation/infection. Apparently I was due to have a ParaProtien test soon, so she's killing 2 birds.........

The high Ferritin level was not mentioned (we had a phone consultation) but I will await the results of the next blood test and will bring it up then.

She is increasing my Levothyroxine by 25mcg - taking me up to 125mcg.

I would really value your advise please :-

Do you have any advice for a problem-free transition ?

Do you think that I should be gluten-free now?

Another thing that puzzles me is, What is Hasimoto's Disease? How does it get diagnosed? What's the difference between Hasimoto's and hypothyroidism?

I would never have known any of this or been any nearer to getting some proper treatment if it wasn't for you. Thank you

Written by
Dunawori146 profile image
Dunawori146
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Dunawori146

(btw in multivitamins is Folate and Folic Acid the same thing?)

Folic acid is synthetic and the body has to convert it to folate. Folate is the natural form. It's best to get a supplement that contains folate rather than folic acid, it's usually shown as methylfolate.

A couple of articles:

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Multivitamins aren't recommended here. They contain too little of anything to help raise low levels or deficiencies, tend to contain the cheapest, least absorbable and wrong form form of active ingredients, and often contain things we should test for first and only supplement if found to be deficient, eg calcium, iron, iodine. Best to supplement at the correct dose for what we know we need.

She is increasing my Levothyroxine by 25mcg - taking me up to 125mcg.

I would really value your advise please :-

Do you have any advice for a problem-free transition ?

There should be no problem with a simple increase in your dose of Levo. However, it's best to stick to the brand that you know suits you and many people don't get on with Teva (one of the brands which does a 25mcg dose), also be aware that Northstar 25mcg is made by Teva so another one to avoid. Best to get a 50mcg tablet in the same brand as your 100mcg and either alternate 100mcg and 150mcg to give 125mcg or cut the 50mcg in half for the extra 25mcg per day.

Another thing that puzzles me is, What is Hasimoto's Disease? How does it get diagnosed? What's the difference between Hasimoto's and hypothyroidism?

Hashimoto's is autoimmune thyroid disease which is where the immune system attacks the thyroid and gradually destroys it leading to hypothyroidism. It's the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It's usually diagnosed by raised thyroid antibodies although you can have Hashi's without raised antibodies and an ultrasound scan of the thyroid can show this.

Do you think that I should be gluten-free now?

The choice is yours, you could give it a try and see if it helps.

Some people with Hashi's have found a gluten free diet helps them but it's not guaranteed.

Dunawori146 profile image
Dunawori146 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you for your advice, especially with regards to folate

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Previous post shows extremely low B12 and folate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I take it GP/nurse refused to test for pernicious anaemia?

Suggest you start taking GOOD QUALITY daily vitamin B complex as detailed in previous post. One that contains folate (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)

Or Thorne Basic B is another option that contain folate, but is large capsule

IMPORTANT If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

After 10-14 days add a separate B12

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

As your B12 result is below 500, recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

Important to test folate and B12 annually

We never recommend multivitamins. Far too little of what we do need, plus usually cheap poorly absorbed ingredients

Posts discussing Multivitamins

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Presumably you are now supplementing vitamin D as outlined in previous post

vitamin D should be tested twice year if supplementing

But will have to test yourself. NHS will only test once every 2 years at best

Only add one supplement at a time and then wait at least 10 days to assess before adding another

Make sure levothyroxine is always same brand at each prescription

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine

Come back with new post once you get next results

Dunawori146 profile image
Dunawori146 in reply to SlowDragon

I really cannot thank you enough for this outstanding advice. My doctor wasn't at all interested in broaching the subject of vitamins, pernicious anaemia etc. So I greatly value your opinion. Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Previous post shows you currently have negative thyroid antibodies

They might have been higher in the past or they might never have been high

But 20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

Have you ever had ultrasound scan of thyroid?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Dunawori146 profile image
Dunawori146 in reply to SlowDragon

I'm certain that I don't have Hasimoto's, I was just wondering about it. Thank you.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Before considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

healthcheckshop.co.uk/store...?

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

Dunawori146 profile image
Dunawori146 in reply to SlowDragon

Over the years I have come to the opinion that I am gluten intolerant because of the reaction I have had to things like white bread and pasta. Perhaps I will leave it as it is now, I think I have enough to be going on with for the time being. Many, many thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Dunawori146

If you suspect gluten intolerance just cut it out completely

You may also like...

Blood Tests, further results, help please?

screed of Blood Tests, and now I've read a bit more about Hypothyroidism, some more of the blood...

further advice on blood results

daughter so took advantage of their cheaper blood testing I started T3 as my doctor thought I...

Further blood results - advice please

wouldn't test again. TPO antibodies in August were 54 IU/no (0-34) I'd appreciate any advice. Thank...

further thyroid Blood results

swelling. Im due an ultrasound next week and CT scan , the GP said these bloods below are perfect...

Worried about blood test results

neurologist who sent me for loads of blood tests. Just got some results today and they want to...