Success! Folate supplement has finally increased my T4 to T3 conversion!

[ElleMai]

Hi all,

Just to update..I’ve been on Aristo T4 for one year now (thanks to a European GP who joined my surgery briefly, who prescribed me when all the other GPs in the surgery refused for 10 years as my TSH ‘wasn’t bad enough’ (it was 4.9 at worst - but even at 2.5 I felt awful)

However, despite increasing T4 from 50, 75 mcg, to 100 mcg then to 125 mcg, my T3 didn’t change and stayed at 4.5 (range 3.1 - 6.8). I felt much better than unmediated at this point, but not great.

The AMAZING admins (seaside susie and slow dragon especially) pointed out my b12 and folate levels weren’t optimal (active b12 47 (range 37.5 - 150) and folate 18.9 (range 8.83 - 45). They suggested supplementing…so I started taking a bio active B12 supplement with 3 forms of B12, and a bio active 5-MTHF folate supplement once a day. Within a month I felt the difference. Now, 3/4 months later I feel really well! I’m back to full time work!! I can ride a bike for 15 mins! I can stand up long enough to shower! I sleep so well, i wake up at 4am to take T4 and can now go straight back to sleep!

Unfortunately I couldn’t afford to test for folate and B12 again, but here’s my new thyroid results:

TSH 0.28 (range 0.27-4.2)

FT4 22 (range 12-22)

FT3 5.1!! Hoorah! (Range 3.1-6.3)

Also TPO antibodies have consistently keep reducing over the last year since I started taking T4. They were around 200, now down to 58.3 (range 0-34). 🙂

This time last year I was crawling on all fours to go to the toilet. I could barely move. I’d made up a basic sign language with my husband because just saying one word like ‘thirsty’ was too exhausting. I slept all day, awake all night and was in incredible pain all the time, I couldn’t work - id been like this for a decade and GPs did nothing.

So, from the bottom of my soul THANK YOU to the amazing people on this page that give up their time and energy to help us. You have literally given me a life. 💜💛💚

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

What a lovely, postive, heart warming post. I'm so pleased that you have experienced such an improvement, long may it continue 😊

When it's possible to do so, perhaps check B12 and folate levels because it would be useful to know at what level you need these, also to ensure they don't go too high and you waste your money, you just need to maintain at the right level and a good quality B Complex could possibly do this without the need for the two separate supplements.

[ElleMai in reply to SeasideSusie]

Great idea! Now I’m earning money I’ll get them tested regularly from now onwards. Thanks so much again. You were there for me when I had lost hope, you’re an absolute star ! 💜

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to ElleMai]

Hi

So glad the advice you received from admin was so useful. It's so nice to hear a positive story. It should be printed off and sent to GP's everywhere. Hope your health journey continues onwards and upwards.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Fantastic news ElleMai 👍

[shaws]

Well done and I'm glad you have a positive post and that you also feel well. That will be very encouraging for those members still on a journey to restore their health and relieve symptoms.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So delighted to hear such positive news 👏😀👍

Well done for persevering

Like you…..I would never have made a recovery without all the help and knowledge on here

Maintaining OPTIMAL vitamin levels is so essential and frequently totally ignored by GP’s and endocrinologists

[Jokaah]

That’s awesome news, congratulations 🎉

[TeeThom]

This is such amazing news ElleMai. The help available on this forum is potentially life changing and it's so encouraging to hear success stories like yours. Would you mind please sharing what brand of folate (also B12) you take? In my recent tests my serum folate level came in very low at 4.44 nmol/L (8.83 - 60.8) and I was expecting my Endo to suggest supplementation but he said there was no need - but with your experience I'm really tempted to start as soon as possible. Wishing you well and thanks again for your uplifting post.

[ElleMai in reply to TeeThom]

Hi TeeThom,It’s crazy that doctors don’t seem to know the importance of (optimal) vitamins and minerals isn’t it! Thank goodness for the people here who can educate us.

I’m painfully aware I’m one of the relatively lucky people that has responded well to just T4 and vitamin and mineral supplementation, so I truly hope this works for you too.

I’m taking Vitality brand vitamin B12 synergy, and Vitality brand bio active Folate (I’m the form of 5-MTHF), both of which I bought online from vitaminExpress. I’ve no idea if these are the best ones - I chose them on the basis of bioavailability.

Please note the B12 contains xylitol, so avoid this one if you’re sensitive to that.

I really think the folate was the missing piece for me, as I was previously taking a different B12 complex and, although it did improve my energy a bit, it’s nothing compared to when I added folate.

Good luck to you! I really hope this works for you too! 🙂

[humanbean in reply to ElleMai]

For the body to make full use of any B12 you have it requires folate. So, taking folate will have helped on its own, but it will also have allowed better use of your B12.

I'm sure you must have seen this list before :

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

but I don't see this one getting posted :

b12deficiency.info/folate-b...

[TeeThom]

Thank you so much ElleMai. It's so much trial and error but I think it's definitely worth a try and I really appreciate you sharing what's worked for you (and the brand). Hope you keep on improving and thanks again.

[Decant]

So good to hear such a good result, I'm so happy for you. Thank you for sharing - encouragement to keep going!

This sentence of yours makes me livid (to put it mildly) at "our" NHS - "I slept all day, awake all night and was in incredible pain all the time, I couldn’t work - id been like this for a decade and GPs did nothing".

I am nowhere near how poorly you were, I just want more zest and less fog.

[Wendyrmn66]

In tears just reading this. So pleased yourfeeling better. They really are a good team on Thyroid UK. Slow Dragon so full of information. Thank you for your post.

[bajmon]

Hello, which folate and vit B12 wood you recommend please? I'm about to go shopping 😁

[marigold22 in reply to bajmon]

She states in her reply above ......."I’m taking Vitality brand vitamin B12 synergy, and Vitality brand bio active Folate (I’m the form of 5-MTHF), both of which I bought online from vitaminExpress. I’ve no idea if these are the best ones - I chose them on the basis of bioavailability. Please note the B12 contains xylitol, so avoid this one if you’re sensitive to that."