Reposting results from before Christmas

[DarkHorseJen]

Seems I did not post my full results properly. Also I have now requested a private iron panel check so will post these once I get the results from that.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts…you’re not diagnosed as hypothyroid or on any replacement thyroid hormones

As detailed by SeasideSusie in previous post

Ferritin is deficient

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Approx what age….pre or post menopause

Has GP prescribed iron supplements

Vitamin D, folate and B12 all low, but not deficient

Likely to benefit from improving by self supplementing

Suggest you work on improving all four essential vitamins…..folate, ferritin, B12 and vitamin D ….then retest thyroid in 2-3 months

It’s chicken and egg…..if low vitamin levels are affecting thyroid or low thyroid is causing low vitamin levels

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Aiming for vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol. Some CCG areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7 - one spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need,

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Great article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[DarkHorseJen in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slow dragon for your reply. I am not currently taking any vitamins or supplements but do plan to start taking some once I have done my full iron panel on Monday.

I am not vegetarian or vegan.

Am over 50 post menopausal

Not on any meds at all or levothyroxine

How do I raise folate will that be done with the iron supplements that I have been prescribed?

I will start to take ferrous fumarate 210mg x 3 per day prescribed by GP pharmacist with something like berocca or vit c tablet to aid absorption.

Nothing else was mentioned to me from him so am assuming everything else will be self medication

So I will also start to take vit d - and try to get vit k2 mk7 with that and also

B12 tablets (not the cyancoblamin one )

Many thanks

[humanbean in reply to DarkHorseJen]

How do I raise folate will that be done with the iron supplements that I have been prescribed?

Folate and iron are not related. Folate is a B vitamin (vitamin B9), iron is a mineral. Ferritin, a common test, is actually a measure of iron stores and it is improved with iron supplements.

For improving folate you should read this link on folate supplements for the best options.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

I would suggest that you take a dose of 1000mcg per day until your level is between 10 - 20 then reduce dose to 400mcg per day. You've got one of the reference ranges for folate which is extremely uninformative. The suggested level I've given you is not dangerous, in fact you might need more - but without more precise info I'm unhappy about suggesting going higher.

Your ferritin level is dire, but at least you have been prescribed iron supplements. Be aware that prescribed iron supplements can be bought from pharmacies in the UK without a prescription with the pharmacist's permission. Also be aware that many people struggle to tolerate iron supplements. Try taking them with food if you can't tolerate them on an empty stomach. Also be aware that there are many iron supplements to choose from that can be bought in pharmacies, supermarkets or online, depending on the amount of iron they contain. Ask for advice if you have problems.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DarkHorseJen]

Vitamin levels are often low when hypothyroid

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Virtually impossible to get diagnosed as hypothyroid until TSH is over 5

First step is to get all four vitamins OPTIMAL by supplementing

This will either help thyroid work better ….or if you are hypothyroid TSH rise high enough to get levothyroxine prescribed

I see humanbean has replied re folate

(Avoid Berrcca ..it’s cheap for a reason)

Suggest you read posts daily…learn about the interconnection between gut, thyroid and low vitamin levels