My endo increased my med of Unithroid to 50 mcg and 10 mcg of liothyroine about 6 weeks ago, I also stopped taking a multiple vitamin and replaced it with individual vitamins and supplements. I am taking every day calcium 600 mg; vitamin B1 100 mg; vitamin B12 1000 mcg; folic acid 400 mcg; folate1333 mcg DFE; zinc 30 mg; Vitamin C; and every other day Iron 65 mg.
I feel a little bit better but not that much and was thinking about adding back my multiple vitamin in addition to the above. what are your thoughts? anyone doing multiple vitamin in addition to individual vitamins?
I get tested for thyroid in a few weeks. I thought taking individual vitamins would improve my energy but it doesnt seem so.
thanks
Written by
jeanie245
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You shouldn't be taking a multivitamin anyway for all sorts of reasons.
* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.
* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.
* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, copper. These things should be tested before supplementing.
* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc. This is especially true of supermarket multis.
* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.
* When taking several supplements, you should start them individually at two weekly intervals, not all at once as you would with a multi. Because, if you start them all at once, and something doesn't agree with you, you won't know which one it is and you'll be back to square one.
* Most supplements should be taken at least two hours away from thyroid hormone, but some - iron, vit D, magnesium and calcium (should you really need to take it) should be taken at least four hours away from thyroid hormone.
With a multi-vit, all the vitmains and minerals are taken at the same time, whereas a lot of vitamins and minerals should be taken well away from each other:
* Vit C should be taken 2 hours away from B12 because it affects how the body uses B12.
* Never take magnesium/zinc/calcium at the same time as they affect the absorption of each other.
* Take zinc and copper separately as zinc affects the absorption of copper.
* Vits A/D/E/K are all fat soluble vitamins, and if taken together can compete for the source of fat. They are best taken away from each other.
* The magnesium you take - and just about everybody needs to take it - should be chosen according to what you want it to do:
Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.
Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.
Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.
Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.
Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.
Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.
Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.
With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to get tested for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and build up your supplementation program based on the results. A vitamin or a mineral is only going to help you if you need it, anyway. More of something you don’t need is not better, it's either pointless or even dangerous, as with iodine, calcium, iron or vit D.
I see you are taking calcium, may I ask why? Calcium supplements are not a good thing to take as they are poorly absorbed and tend to build up in the arteries and soft tissues.
This is rather strange. Normally, when taking B12, we take a B complex because all the Bs work together and need to be kept balanced. Just taking three of them is rather unbalanced. Also, why are you taking so much folic acid/folate? 400 mcg should be enough, but better to take methylfolate rather than folic acid as it's better absorbed.
Thank you many times over. ! I am glad we got clarification about taking a multiple vitamin and the importance of not taking calcium, and the time sequences or taking other vitamins supplements thank you very much!
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
If serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) 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.
Thank you so much. That is super helpful. I will order one of the brands you suggested.
Last week I did purchase some Kirkland - Costco – super B complex, but they contain vitamin C thiamine niacin folate biotin sodium and potassium in addition to be 3 B Vitamins. I guess I will get rid of them.
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