Thyroid goitre ~ low folic acid

[Huxley69]

Hi , I have a thyroid goitre had a blood test , only come back that I am low in Folic acid , have been given 5mg folic acid tablets , Just wondering if anyone else has had this, as been on it for 6 weeks and still no change in how I feel or getting smaller.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Folic acid won't reduce a goitre.

5 milligrams is a high dose of folic acid and should only be given for a limited time - maybe three months. Long-term supplementation is more likely to be 400 micrograms.

Folic acid should never be prescribed until the person has been shown NOT to be low in vitamin B12.

You need to get hold of any test results, including reference intervals (ranges - usually in brackets). You might have online access or maybe need to ask the surgery for a copy.

You have not put your country in your profile - where are you?

More information really would help in getting helpful replies.

[Huxley69 in reply to helvella]

Hi, sorry I am from the UK b12 has come back normal, and my THS levels are all normal. Due to have an ultrasound on it but still waiting for my appointment to come thought

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Huxley69]

Hi, sorry I am from the UK b12 has come back normal, and my THS levels are all normal

This is a U.K. based forum

Please add actual results and ranges

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

Normal is not necessarily same as optimal

Low vitamin levels are EXTREMELY common with thyroid disease

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low folate and low B12 often go together

Please add actual results

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Are you currently taking any levothyroxine

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[nb2224]

Hi Huxley69,

Did you have any luck getting more information/any solutions? I am in the exact same boat with a goitre but blood test results only indicating low Folic Acid (also been given 5mg folic acid tablets). No additional info or follow up from docs, just an automated prescription so feeling confused!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nb2224]

Get full thyroid and vitamins tested including antibodies

[Huxley69]

Hi, Yep I have had my thyroid removed 2 weeks ago as the ultrasound scan came back with a 4.5cm lump. Also had an CT scan, I am just waiting for my biopsy results. I would push the doctor to get you an ultrasound so you can have some peace of mind. if you would like to know more just email me and I would be happy to answer any questions

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Huxley69]

Was this a full thyroidectomy or just a half ?

How much levothyroxine have you been prescribed

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What exactly were B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D results at last test

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

ALWAYS test thyroid levels as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Many people find different brands of levothyroxine are not interchangeable

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

[Huxley69 in reply to SlowDragon]

It was going going to be half but ended up being full. 125g levothroxine not sure what make at the moment as doing dinner.

Have my first blood test soon , which would only be 19 days after my thyroidectomy. As it ready for my post op appointment.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Huxley69]

Which is too soon….but better to test any way

Make sure you get FULL thyroid and vitamins tested

TSH, Ft4, Ft3, both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking, if any

Always take levothyroxine on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

No other medications or supplements within 2 hours

Some like vitamin D, iron, calcium or magnesium at least 4 hours away

[nb2224 in reply to Huxley69]

Hello, thank you so much! I will get on to my doctor today then, hopefully they're a bit more proactive than late. Thank you again, hope you have a speedy recovery!