Supplements

[Thyroid2468]

New here. had a recent post about my strange vibration sensations in my body. I am newly dx, not on meds yet. Anyone take supplements.....I read something about Selenium in addition to B vitamins, D, iron? Would love to hear more. Any recommendation of a good book for a beginner like me.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Thyroid2468

Lots of us here take supplements, but we tend to test key nutrients first to know what we need and how to dose. We advise testing:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

From your previous post:

I just started to take iron, I take magnesium glycerinate 350 for a few months, vitamin D 2000 iu for approximately a year.

Ferritin 39 range (15-150)

You shouldn't take iron unless you've done an iron panel to know your serum iron, transferrin saturation percentage and total iron binding capacity levels as well as your ferritin level. If you already have good serum iron and saturation levels then taking iron will increase them and may lead to toxicity.

When supplementing with Vit D we should test twice a year to test levels. This is a fat soluble vitamin and any excess is stored, not excreted like water soluble vitamins. So it's important to know that we are taking the correct amount, and this may vary by season as we may make Vit D naturally from the sun during the summer.

What is your current Vit D level, this will tell you if you are taking enough or too much.

Are you also taking Vit K2-MK7 which is an important cofactor of D3? Taking D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and Vit K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause calcification of arteries, kidney stones, etc.

Magnesium helps the body to convert D3 into it's usable form so this is another important cofactor.

As for selenium, some people prefer to test before supplementing, but it's said that 100-200mcg is a safe amount if you don't test. Best forms are selenium l-methionine or yeast bound selenium, avoid selenite or selenate forms.

[Thyroid2468 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you! Yes… had all the iron tests. Only ferritin is on low side. 2 docs said to supplement thinking it could help RLS symptoms. I didn’t know about K2-MK7. Any reasons to not take or concern about toxicity?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Thyroid2468]

Any reasons to not take or concern about toxicity?

Just that, risk of toxicity if your serum iron and saturation go too high. Too much iron is as bad as too little. If serum iron and saturation levels are good then it's best to try to raise ferritin through diet.

What were the results for the whole of your iron panel?

[Riana87 in reply to SeasideSusie]

This is so helpful. I am experiencing hair loss and ferritin is 20 but other iron markers are in range. Have been pondering about supplementing but was not sure. Do you have any diet tips to increase ferritin?

[Thyroid2468 in reply to Riana87]

me too. a few docs have commented on my normal but lowish ferritin and recommended supplements, but gave no guidance. all other iron tests normal too. would love to hear from others also.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Riana87]

Riana87

other iron markers are in range

Where in range? According to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:

Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) or Transferrin: Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron

Ferritin/Iron and hair loss:

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

particularly the part where it says:

According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml.

You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet

bda.uk.com/resource/iron-ri...

everydayhealth.com/pictures...

[Girouxkj]

I had strange "vibrations" (and tachycardia) throughout my body when I was severely dehydrated

[Riana87]

Thank you for your helpful response