hypothyroidism question

Does anyone take any vitamins or supplements to help manage under active thyroid? I obviously take my thyroid meds but I have heard that vitamins & supplements can help too ??

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

DMurthWils83

Vitamins are helpful if we need them, and we need optimal levels of key nutrients for thyroid hormone replacement to work properly, so we should test key nutrients and address any low levels or deficiencies rather than just supplement willy nilly.

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

are the ones to test.

Taking Vit D or iron if we don't need them can lead to toxicity.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask your GP or endocrinologist to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Always get the actual results and ranges

These should be tested regularly, at least once a year, but rarely happens

On levothyroxine we need GOOD vitamin levels, but test first before starting anything

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm on 100mg, previously had overactive thyroid that has now been reversed to underactive.. My thyroid levels were good on my last blood test but I don't feel good & my mental health is awful at the moment too

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Do you ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Please add most recent results and ranges

When were vitamin levels last tested

Frequently necessary to supplement continuously to maintain optimal vitamin levels

But ALWAYS test first

100mcg levothyroxine isn’t a high dose

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

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

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and Ft3 tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially after Graves’ disease (hyperthyroid)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am

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

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

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Come back with new post once you get results

[Sparklyjenson]

After testing as part of thyroid checks and realising I was at the low end of or under reference ranges (thanks to this forum) I supplement vit D, folate and B12. Vitamins make a big difference to the way I feel. e.g. if vitamins not high enough I have sore bones, dizziness and exhausted body. My ferritin is also low but I wanted to introduce the other vitamins one at a time to make sure I understood their impact. It’ll be ferritin next if it’s still low in my next blood test as I still can’t seem to shake my pins and needles.

[CatsofCatford]

I find having a good Vit D level makes a huge difference to how I feel. I can feel when it starts to go low …. Feels like I’m crossing over to the dark side. Mine is around 100 so not just within range but at the higher end. Also magnesium citrate helps me with constipation if that’s an issue. Finally selenium seems to stop me from having so many autoimmune flares … hope this helps

[GrowingVeg]

Do you keep taking vit d throughout they year? I stopped in April, but wonder if I should order a test and continue...

[Sparklyjenson in reply to GrowingVeg]

I take vit d throughout the year but not on days where I’ve been out in the sun for at least 15 mins with a decent amount of skin on show and no sun cream. I try to do that every day in the summer before putting sun cream on. I used an app for a while which you put your post code into and it tells you the best time to go outside. It also tracks the time spent. I started this when I broke my foot for no good reason and got diagnosed with osteopoenia and low vit D. 7 years later my bone density scores have deteriorated no further and my bones don’t hurt like they did before. If I miss my vit d tablets in the winter for more than a few days the aches come back.

Definitely worth ordering a test first.

[GrowingVeg in reply to Sparklyjenson]

Thanks. That makes sense.

[PixieElv]

HelloI take quite a few. I find they make a huge difference with energy and dryness of eyes & skin. They are:

Vit B complex (makes the biggest difference)

Vit D

Magnesium

Vit C

Omega 3

Sea buckthorn omega 3,6,7,9

Sometimes iron as I’m a part time vegan 😉

You need to take them 2h away from thyroid meds. And iron 4hs from everything.

Good luck

[arTistapple]

This is perhaps more of a question to add to DMurthWils83 query. There is an American website which says Selenium and Zinc are very important in hypothyroidism for conversion from T4 to T3. The company I get mine from have the two together in one pill. Convenient and makes me wonder how ‘accepted’ these supplements are for hypothyroidism, that a company actually produces the combination. OR could be they just spotted a niche in the market? However I don’t think I have seen these recommended on here. Anyone?

[Partner20 in reply to arTistapple]

I have seen both selenium and zinc recommended as necessary for effective T4 to T3 by many knowledgeable thyroid sites. This is why many people eat a couple if Brazil nuts a day, although their selenium content cannot be accurately quantified. Selenium is best taken in a supplement of guaranteed strength, and compliant with the recommended daily dosage, as too much can be toxic. I have always taken selenium since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and also take a low-dose zinc supplement, although as my consumption of dairy produce is quite high, my zinc levels should be sufficient.

[judycopage]

I have Hashimotos and have trouble converting T4 - T3. Am on a trial of T3/T4 medication and the T3 has made a huge difference. Daily, I take D3 5000 iU, Omega 3, magnesium, selenium, zinc, K2-MK7 and 2000 mg Vit C. D3 is very important, as advised by a GP to take as high a dose as possible. In the UK, the sun is rare and I take it 365 days.