Suplements hypothyroidism

[Mividauk2]

Hi. Which supplements are the most needed it or do I need to have a private test in order to choose? Would the gp will accept a private test?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Always test thyroid levels and vitamin levels before starting any vitamin supplements

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

How long on this dose

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

Request GP test vitamin levels…..along with thyroid if levels are due retest

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all 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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and thyroid antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[Mividauk2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Brilliant thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mividauk2

You would need to test key nutrients to know if you have any low levels or deficiencies then you would have to address those individually.

Whether or not a GP will accept private test results is down to the individual doctor, some do and some don't. However, a GP is only obliged to treat deficiencies, that's all, once "in range" prescribing is usually stopped and it's down to the patient to continue with supplements to maintain levels.

Optimal levels for key nutrients are:

Vit D: 100-150nmol/L according to the Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health, with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol/L.

B12: Absolute minimum of 550pg/ml (or ng/L) for Total B12 as neurological damage can occur below this level, nearer top of range is recommended. If Active B12 is tested then below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency and we suggest to aim for over 100.

Folate: At least half way through range.

Ferritin: Some experts say the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L, and I have seen it said that a good level for females is 130ug/L and for males 150ug/L.

[Mividauk2 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you