Help with vitamins and iron status: I wrote a... - Thyroid UK

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Help with vitamins and iron status

Roulette26 profile image
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I wrote a rather rambling post last week, probably confused everyone.

Hypo after RAI, changed from 125to 100/125 levo 10 weeks ago, Endo not happy with T4 (23). Now I'm not happy. TSH 2.75, T3 4.07, T4 20.8

All bloods taken first thing in the morning fasting.

I've had a problem with high ferritin for a while, GP's (never the same one) were checking it but baffled. At xmas a different GP sent a message to say results were normal, 343ug/L (13-150 ug/L). I did my own research and discovered taking extra Vit C can be an issue. Stopped Vit C in May,

6/7/21 259 ug/L (13-150 ug/L)

20/9/21 275 ug/L

As you can see it's climbing again

Folate

6/7/21 10.9 (>3.89 ug/L)

20/9/21 3.34 ug/L

B12

6/7/21 472ng/L (197-771) NHS results

20/9/21 76 pmol/L (37.5-188 pmol/L)

Vit D

6/7/21 73 nmol/L (50-200 nmol/L)

20/9/21 76.9 nmol/L

Have been using Better You 4000 since july

I'm unsure about which supplements to take. Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Roulette26

Taken from previous post to get reference ranges:

22nd Sept (Medichecks)

TSH 2.75 (0.27-4.2)

T3 4.07 (3.1-6.8)

T4 20.8 (12-22)

Your TSH is telling us you are undermedicated (generally this too high for a treated Hypo patient) but your FT4 is telling us you are adequately treated with Levo. However, your FT3 is low suggesting poor conversion.

Poor conversion can be due to low nutrient levels and your September ones are poor.

Are you currently taking any supplements?

Were you taking any supplements and now you've stopped?

Folate

6/7/21 10.9 (>3.89 ug/L)

20/9/21 3.34 ug/L

Current results show folate level only just above folate deficiency which is diagnosed when level is <3ug/L. Your current level is in the "indeterminate zone" of 3-4.5ug/L which is suggestive of but not diagnostic of folate deficiency. See

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

Folate level

◦Serum folate of less than 7 nanomol/L (3 micrograms/L) is used as a guide to indicate folate deficiency.

◦However, there is an indeterminate zone with folate levels of 7–10 nanomol/L (3–4.5 micrograms/L), so low folate should be interpreted as suggestive of deficiency and not diagnostic.

B12

6/7/21 472ng/L (197-771) NHS results

20/9/21 76 pmol/L (37.5-188 pmol/L)

These are two different B12 tests. The July test with the NHS is Total B12 which measures both bound and unbound B12. The Medichecks test in September is Active B12 which measures the unbound B12 which is available to the cells.

Your result doesn't show B12 deficiency but it is on the low side. I would want my Active B12 over 100.

You could ask your GP to look into your folate level and he may or may not do something about it. If not then if these were my results I'd do the following:

1) Buy some sublingual B12 lozenges to boost B12 level. I would use Cytoplan:

cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...

Start these and after 2 weeks if no adverse reaction add in

2) B Complex which will help raise your folate level and keep all B vitamins balanced. I would use Thorne Basic B which is a good quality, bioavailable form.

3) I would use one pot of the B12 (along with the B Complex) then stop the B12 and just continue with the B Complex.

Vit D

6/7/21 73 nmol/L (50-200 nmol/L)

20/9/21 76.9 nmol/L

Have been using Better You 4000 since july

Your level has hardly moved in 2 months. Two things to consider:

1) Are you also using magnesium? This helps the body convert D3 into it's usable form.

2) Maybe the oral spray isn't right for you. I would use Doctor's Best D3 softgels which raised my severely deficient level of 15nmol/L to 202 in 2.5 months, i now continue to use this brand to maintain my level at around 150nmol/L.

Are you also using Vit K2-MK7? D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and Vit K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as calcification of arteries and kidney stones, etc.

For Vit K2-MK7 I like Vitabay or Vegavero brands which contain the correct form of K2-MK7 - the "All Trans" form rather than the "Cis" form. The All Trans form is the bioactive form, a bit like methylfolate is the bioactive form of folic acid.

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form, and large doses of D3 can induce depletion of magnesium. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds if taking magnesium as tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

drjockers.com/best-magnesiu...

Don't start all supplements at once. Start with one, give it a week or two and if no adverse reaction then add the next one. Again, wait a week or two and if no adverse reaction add the next one. Continue like this. If you do have any adverse reaction then you will know what caused it.

Have you had CRP tested? It should have been done with the Medichecks test. This is an inflammation marker (non-specific). High ferritin can suggest inflammation and if CRP is raised this also would suggest inflammation.

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26 in reply to SeasideSusie

My CRP was 2.3mg/L (0-5 mg/ L) on the 22/9. Only halfway through the range. Since starting treatment for hyper I developed mild psoriasis which went crazy after RAI and starting on levo.

The only supplement I’ve been taking is vit D. I’ve been afraid to take anything else because of the high ferritin.

Taking anastrozole for BC, oestrogen suppressant.

As far as being stressed who isn’t?! Trying to get Endo onside and waiting for him to get in touch, will he won’t he listen or will he discharge me cos results fall in range. Trying and failing to see GP, just being referred to nurse practitioners until symptoms get out of hand.

Seaside Susie can you confirm my T3 calculation please? I came up with a figure of 26.22%. The highest I had was 43.78% in March. I don’t want to challenge the endo with incorrect info.

Many thanks

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Roulette26

It doesn't look much difference when you look at the actual result but when you work out the difference using percentages you can see, it's such a narrow range with FT3.

T3 4.07 (3.1-6.8) = 26.22%

T3. 4.72. (3.1-6.8) =43.78%

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hey there again :

Do you have any results showing your inflammation - CRP ?

Apart from needing optimal vitamin and minerals to help convert the T4 into T3 -

conversion can also be compromised by any physiological stress - physical or emotional, inflammation, depression, dieting and ageing :

I know, we can't hold back time, and many of us have other " stuff " going on but this CRP reading is likely on your blood test results anyway.

A higher than " normal " ferritin level can linked to inflammation and this is a thread running through several of your previous posts and might just explain away another question that may not have been answered before.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As you had Graves’ disease and have psoriasis are you on strictly gluten free diet?

If not, get coeliac blood test done BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten

High ferritin common with inflammation

How old are you

Higher ferritin levels more common post menopause

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26

I’m 72 and haven’t been diagnosed with graves, started with a toxic nodule. I mentioned to the Endo that I was considering gluten free after reading that many people find it helps, also his nurse practitioner who has been dealing with me mentioned that a number of patients have tried it. He has done a whole range of tests for coeliac , maybe he’ll talk to me one of these days!

I’ve also read that ferritin can be high post menopause, I would just like a GP to confirm that even 345 is acceptable. Two didn’t have a clue, the last said it was normal at 345, but he also said a T4 of 24 was normal too.

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