A little query: I've b12 and iron deficiency... - Thyroid UK

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A little query

Akashrajput profile image
23 Replies

I've b12 and iron deficiency anemia and I think thyroid is the reason behind me being anemic as my father has hypothyroidism and I've heard that thyroid runs in family.

I'm about to get my thyroid tested but I've a doubt I've been taking iron and b12 supplements from past 2 months will they cause any impact on my thyroid result should I stop taking them until I get my thyroid tested if yes then how many days prior should I stop consuming them.

Please do reply 🙏🏼☺️

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Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput
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23 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

If testing iron and ferritin levels you should stop iron supplements a week before testing

If taking any supplements that contain biotin (like vitamin B complex) stop a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS

B12 just don’t take on morning of thyroid test

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning

Ideally testing TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 plus thyroid antibodies

Recommend getting vitamin D, folate and ferritin tested too

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toSlowDragon

I've low vitamin D and ferritin too very low vitamin D is 12 and ferritin is 3

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAkashrajput

Low vitamins tend to lower TSH, essential to test Ft4 and Ft3

What dose vitamin D are you currently taking

Presumably you are prescribed iron supplements 3 x daily

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toSlowDragon

I'm taking uprise 60k one weekly for vitamin D and ferrous ascorbate for iron daily 1 tablet

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAkashrajput

Retest vitamin D and iron in 2-4 months

Taking iron with vitamin C can help improve iron absorption rate

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toSlowDragon

But I read that if you have thyroid which you are unaware of then taking iron supplements is of no use as thyroid won't let iron supplements work both iron and thyroid medication works hand in hand is this true?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toAkashrajput

Certainly true that it’s extremely difficult to improve/maintain good vitamin levels when hypothyroid

And for thyroid hormones to work well we need optimal vitamin levels

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toSlowDragon

I'm facing too many problems like fatigue , swelling of neck , excessive sweating , difficulty in concentrating , irregular heartbeat , insomnia ,joint pain I never thought I'll go through all of this 🥺

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for replying 🤗

C70rol profile image
C70rol in reply toSlowDragon

I’ve just noticed in your reply to Akashrajput that you say vitamin B12 doesn’t need to be stopped in advance , only on the day of the blood draw? I was of the opinion ( from a previous report on when to stop vits etc, before testing ), that B 12 should be stopped 2 weeks before blood draw ?

I have just done a blood test doing just that !!! So I’m hoping that doesn’t make a lot of difference

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toC70rol

It takes 4-6 months for B12 to drop to pre supplement levels

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toC70rol

Even I think that we should keep a gap prior to blood test

Beachlover2021 profile image
Beachlover2021

I would almost meet on it that was a direct result because of thyroid issues

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toBeachlover2021

I didn't get you what do you mean?

Beachlover2021 profile image
Beachlover2021

Sorry i meant to say I would almost bet on it... not meet lol

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toBeachlover2021

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Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply tohelvella

Did I made any mistake ?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toAkashrajput

My reply was to Beachlover2021!

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply toBeachlover2021

Haha 😂 hope so it's thyroid and nothing more serious I'm feeling damn exhausted and corona in my country is getting worse day by day

humanbean profile image
humanbean

I'm taking uprise 60k one weekly for vitamin D and ferrous ascorbate for iron daily 1 tablet

The Uprise Vitamin D 60k is a high dose vitamin D3 product. It is possible to end up with toxic levels of vitamin D, so you should have repeat testing every 3 months or so, depending on how deficient you were and how well you absorb it.

Taking vitamin D supplements raises the body's absorption of calcium from the diet. Don't take calcium supplements unless you have been tested and have been found to be deficient. In order for any calcium you have to end up in your bones and teeth (where you want it to go) you need to take a couple of co-factors to go with it - magnesium and vitamin K2. You can search the forum for info on both of these - they are written about often.

As for ferrous ascorbate, it doesn't have a high level of iron in it. Each 100mg of ferrous ascorbate contains 13.7mg of iron in it. This is actually the level of iron you'd get from a supermarket iron pill in the UK, and is unlikely to raise your levels. At best it might just maintain your levels of iron where they are.

ferritin is 3

I would say that you need an iron transfusion with such a low level of ferritin. It will take you for ever to raise your level from a low of 3. If a transfusion is not possible then you will need a much, MUCH higher dose of iron than the one you are on.

I raised my own very low iron and ferritin using ferrous fumarate 210mg which can be bought in the UK without a prescription in pharmacies. I was taking 1 tablet, 3 times per day. It took me 21 months to raise my ferritin to mid-range. Despite all the iron I was taking, my serum iron levels always stay quite low. But I dose according to my ferritin level. It took me a long time to find my maintenance dose to keep my ferritin as close to optimal as possible.

There are other iron supplements available, if you can get your hands on them. I wrote about them in this reply to someone else - ignore the first bit about pregnancy which is clearly irrelevant to you! :D

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In comparison to the ferrous ascorbate you are taking, with only 13.7 mg of iron per tablet, ferrous fumarate 210mg contains 69mg of pure iron per tablet. And I was taking three per day, making a total of 207mg of pure iron per day.

I should point out that having a ferritin level of 3 is uncommon in a man. I would guess that you might be severely anaemic as well. (People can be iron deficient with or without anaemia - but it needs to be treated in both cases.) I think your doctor should be investigating the reason why your levels are so low.

I can see you are pinning your hopes on getting thyroid treatment to improve how you feel. But your vitamin D and iron/ferritin levels will be adding to your problems hugely. Also, with such low levels, if it turns out that your thyroid isn't working well it can be difficult to tolerate thyroid hormones when vitamins and minerals are low. So, getting your levels of iron and ferritin up is vitally important.

At least you are taking a reasonably good level of vitamin D.

Have you had your levels of vitamin B12 and folate tested? If you haven't you should do because they are often low, and low levels can make you very unwell indeed.

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply tohumanbean

My b12 is below 83 and I haven't tested folate and yes I'm anemic my hb is 9.1 and this is because my mother has always been anemic 9 years back my hb was 6.4 and thank you so much for explaining me about ferrous fumarate I'll change my iron pills thank you once again ☺️❤️

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply toAkashrajput

I've just reread my post to you and realised that my comments on your vitamin D supplement have come out with a negative tone that I didn't mean. I wasn't trying to put you off taking it. With such a low level as you have you desperately need them.

The link I gave you about iron supplements has several choices available. Some people struggle to tolerate iron supplements, but you can't afford to give them up entirely because your levels are so bad.

If you can't tolerate the ferrous fumarate then try one of the other options listed in the link I gave you. You need to find a supplement with the highest amount of iron you can tolerate.

With your B12 being only 83 as well as all the other problems you have with nutrients, I'm surprised you can even walk around and write posts on a forum!

Akashrajput profile image
Akashrajput in reply tohumanbean

😂😂😂😂 I'm 6'0" weighing 75kg I'm a strong guy who is anemic and yes thank you for that link I'll go through it

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