Collagen

[Lottyplum]

Can someone recommend a collagen supplement, please? Thyroid removed 40 yrs ago (large goitre), hashimotos diagnosed. Now struggling with GP re dosage as TSH suppressed. Endo sending me for Dexa scan@end of the month. I understand collagen good for bone health (been taking D3+K2 for a long time) so would be grateful for any recommendations. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

See EXACTLY where Ft3 level is ….plus essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

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...

are you currently taking magnesium supplements?

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...

Why not try bone broth for excellent source of collagen

bluebirdprovisions.co/blogs...

boroughbroth.co.uk/

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I take magnesium, D3, K2, zinc, selenium! Vit C+a few other supplements rotated. Saw Endocrinologist who asked what supplements I take - gave her the list-and she had me take another blood test for thyroid levels+B12, folate+ferritin (amongst others I believe) and all came back ‘normal’ but don’t have numbers yet. My TSH has been 0.02 for a long time. The last T3 I have results for was 3.9 (and I only got that after pressurising GP for the test) T4 was 19. For years my T4 was always 22/23 for me to function. With the reduction in Levothyroxine it was 18 the previous test.

I’ve seen a few ads for bone broth. Need to look into that. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

The last T3 I have results for was 3.9

Do you have the ranges on this result

Looks very low

Are you on strictly gluten free diet or dairy free diet

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Just gone gluten free+limit dairy. I never really had major issues until last Oct when levo reduced+big hoooha about suppressed TSH+im over medicated! So can someone educate me re low T3? Im learning so much here! So thankful for all I am learning.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Magnesium is good to take with D3. I use a spray to avoid hormone absorption issues.

As SlowDragon says, best to get all your vitamins tested to give people here some clues. Ferritin, folate, D3 and B12.

[Lottyplum in reply to Jaydee1507]

Had a host of tests done following endo appt (they were done lunch time). Endo said they were all normal but dont have numbers yet. Going to contact surgery to get this info -- tho its like getting thru to Fort Knox!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

My GP surgery link my results with the NHS phone app so I can see them there almost instantly they come in. There's another place you can try too. You may need to ask at your surgery to get them to authorise online access for you.

my.patientsknowbest.com/log...

The actual numbers are very important as doctors (including Endo's) do not look to optimise them which is actually what we need.

[Lottyplum in reply to Jaydee1507]

I have the GP app on my phone. Im assuming the NHS phone app?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

Yes the NHS phone app.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

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

Essential to have GOOD vitamin levels for good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Poor conversion results in high Ft4, very low TSH and inadequate low Ft3

Low Ft3 can be linked to osteoporosis……not just high Ft3

The most important result is always Ft3

Osteoporosis 

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

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 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

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

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Thsnks for all ur great input. Cannot tell you how grateful I am.

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Just to add, when ive mentioned poor conversion from FT4 to FT3 being the issue, im treated like a child who has asked for more - with disdain. Its only the endo who has done more trust for D3, folate, ferritin +B12. Says it all!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lottyplum]

still the norm to completely stonewall patients in the U.K. and deny anything apart from testing TSH ….and possibly Ft4

To make progress, invariably we need to test privately

[Lottyplum in reply to SlowDragon]

Looking into that. We now Have a private GP in our little rural Market town. I hVe private medical ins but in doesnt cover thyroid isissues as its longstanding. However, ive been ok on levo for 40 yrs, had no issues going thru menopause, only time I saw gp was for annual blood test. Saw general medicine consultant 20 yrs ago+diagnosed with diverticular pockets, for which im careful to keep constipation at bay - which was the first thing to kick off when levo reduced. Take Poopdoc magnesium before bed, which is brilliant in keeping me regular, tho expensive as comes from the USA. If anyone is interested its Poopdoc.com + Scott olson, the owner is lovely +checked up by email to see how things were going. Costs me £47 a bottle that can last 3 months dependent on the dose. Anyway im gabbling on but again, big thankyou.

[Crankyoldbag]

Jarmino do a great concentrated organic bone broth on amazon. Its quite exxy but you can taste the goodness in every mugful. Seems to me a more natural way to take it than as a supplement. It has the amounts of glycine and glutamine listed on Jarminos website

[Lottyplum in reply to Crankyoldbag]

I am def going to go for bone broth. Thankyou.

[Popeye44]

I have osteopenia and I take Absolute Collagen. It's marine collagen with nothing added. I've tried a few different brands of marine and bovine because Absolute is expensive but it has been the one that stopped my joints aching and doesn't have added vitamins that I don't need. The original lemon flavour is an acquired taste so I have the raspberry flavour. (There's also mango and mandrin but I am sensitised to oranges.)

[Lottyplum]

Ive ordered beef bone broth to see how I get along. Got one for my daughter as she is gf+df with leaky gut following NHS not testing her for helicabacter pylori as a 14 yr old as said she was too young. 2 years later the damage had been done! She had 10 urs of pain hell til I found a private GP who was excellent. Thank you for yr input. Will keep the info.