vitamin B12

[PurpleButterfly2]

I’m due to have blood tests for Vitamin B12 and other blood tests.

i ce been taking a Daily dose of Vitamin B 12 for a few months.

Should I stop talking it before blood test?

if yes, how long for before blood test?

Thank in advance

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Fabz14

What is it you want to find out?

1) What the daily dose of B12 is achieving?

Or

2) What you are holding on to?

If (1) then continue up to and including the day before. Take after the test on the day.

If (2) stop B12 for 4-5 months before testing.

Do not take biotin, B Complex or any supplement containing biotin (B7) for 3-7 days before any blood test.

[PurpleButterfly2 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie. The Vitamin B12 test has been “ordered” by Endocrinologist I saw last week. She wants to know if my Vitamin B12 level is ok.

I’ve been talking it because I’ve heard/read it can help with fatigue and other things. But currently I don’t even know if I need any, but I think it’s helped the fatigue. I have malabsorption issues and it’s the main reason why I started taking it. Previous tests (months ago) came back “in range”. But not sure if I need to stop talking it and how long for when it’s to find out if I’m deficient or not.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

But not sure if I need to stop talking it and how long for when it’s to find out if I’m deficient or not.

In that case I'd continue taking it and see what the results are, they will show if you are taking the right amount to keep it nicely at the top of the range, or whether you are taking too much (in their eyes) and it's over range. Excess supplemented B12 is excreted.

Did you test before starting to supplement?

Have you also been taking a good, bioavailable B Complex, this is needed when taking B12 to keep all the B vitamins balanced although B Complex should be left off for 3-7 days before any blood test because it contains biotin which can give fase results.

Hopefully if B12 is being tested then the other key nutrients are too - Folate (works with B12), Vit D and Ferritin. Ferritin in particular causes fatigue if low, as can Vit D.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Important to test vitamin D and ferritin levels too

Are you still only on 75mcg levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

If been left under medicated long time, low vitamin levels are extremely common

As you have Hashimoto’s have you had coeliac blood test done yet. If not request testing BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

[PurpleButterfly2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon. Thank you for your reply

I’ve been on 100mcg for 6 months now and on Levothyroxine Accord which I respond better too than Levothyroxine Teva. Last TSH , Ft3 and Ft4 “in range”. The famous “in range” dilemma…

I asked to be tested for coeliac 3 months ago and test came back negative. But I was diagnosed 30 years ago with Leaky Gut. So have issues with absorption.

I’m also going for blood tests for Ferritin, Folare, Vit D and Cortisol (blood test). I told my endocrinologist last week that saliva tests are more accurate due to cortisol levels changing throughout the day. But she said “let’s wait about the blood test one first…”

But I may well order a saliva test privately.

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

What are your most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

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

Do you normally take levothyroxine waking or bedtime or do you split your dose?

Frequently necessary to be absolutely strictly gluten free

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

[PurpleButterfly2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi again. Yes I always do my blood tests before 9:00 am at the walk in blood testing at hospital.

I leave always 24h gap after last Levo tablet.

Here are my last results:

TSH : 0.55 mIU/L Normal range: 0.3- 3.94

Ft4: 17.6 pmoI/L Normal range: 12.3- 20.2

Ft3: 5.1. pmol/L Normal range: 3.70- 6.70

They all were seen as “Normal”

I weigh 65Kg

I take 100mcg Levothyroxine at 9am every day.

My last vitamin were tested a few months ago but all came “normal”

But I’m going on Friday for Folate, Ferritin, Vit B12 and Cortisol (blood test)

* Asked if I could have saliva test for cortisol as it’s more accurate but Endo said to wait what the blood test says.

Currently on Multi vitamin and Vit D3 (prescribed in 2014 for another condition Chronic Pancreatitis)

Thank you in advance

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

Which multivitamin

Multivitamins are never recommended on here

Most contain iodine not recommended for anyone on levothyroxine

If contains biotin you need to stop a week before all blood tests

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

FT4: 17.6 pmol/l (Range 12.3 - 20.2)

Ft4 67.09% through range

FT3: 5.1 pmol/l (Range 3.7 - 6.7)

Ft3 is only 46.67% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

thyroid.dopiaza.org

See what vitamin levels are like

Optimal vitamin levels can improve conversion rate of Ft4 to Ft3

Most people when adequately treated will have Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Discuss with endocrinologist

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight at 1.6mcg per kilo per day suggests you might need very small dose increase

65 x 1.6 = 104mcg per day = 728mcg per week

Perhaps try increasing by 25mcg per week

Retest in 6-8 weeks

[PurpleButterfly2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much again for advice and guidance. Very helpful You all do such an amazing “job” at clarifying and explaining what most of us find so confusing.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

Which multivitamin are you currently taking

Please add link

Don’t want anything with iodine in

Not folic acid either

Or iron

[PurpleButterfly2 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m taking Vit D and multi vitamins prescribed by Gastroenterologist. Been on them since 2014. I never looked at the back and it contains Iodine and Folic Acid. But in small amount I think?!?

To see full content please click on photo.

Thanks

Multi vitamins

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PurpleButterfly2]

Strongly recommend you stop taking this

Your taking iodine everyday in your levothyroxine

You don’t need any more

Contains folic acid, not folate

Shouldn’t ever supplement iron without testing first

It contains biotin, so must be stopped a week before all blood tests

Instead get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

Only supplement what’s needed

Come back with new post once you get results

Posts discussing multivitamins

Multivitamins

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[PurpleButterfly2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Gosh it’s all so confusing. I was prescribed these multi vitamins by gastroenterologist in 2014 because of another condition which causes malabsorption (chronic pancreatitis). Then I was also prescribed Vit D3.

Only diagnosed with Hashimoto last year…

I’m trying to get to grip and get some knowledge/ understanding via reputable on line sites, like this one.

Had blood test done 2 days ago so will see what “happens” then.

Thank you again for your advice & guidance

[D9d9]

I believe you can not test B12 levels after supplementing unless you stop for 4 months. Levels in blood rise after supplementing but this does not guarantee it is working on a cellular level as you may have absorption issues for instance.