Hi I hope everyone is well, it’s been a while since I’ve been on.
I’m just wondering if anyone knows what the correlation between being Hypothyroid and recurring low folate is please?
For 3 consecutive years my folate has become deficient. It started in October 2019 it dropped to <2 . I was put on folic acid for 4 months, it came up and then within 6-9 months it dropped again.
I had it tested in September 2022 after finishing another 4 months of 5mg of folic acid it was 15.9 and then again in December as I felt symptomatic … it is now 6. My GP said I shouldn’t feel symptomatic as it’s “normal” my response was “ well I can feel it and know when it’s dropping hence why I asked for it to be tested again and I can guarantee in another 3 months it will have dropped to <2 again!”
So anyway to cut a long story short he wants to get to the bottom of why it keeps dropping, but if it’s just part and parcel of being Hypo then I’m not sure he will find a cause? Although I’m curious as to why it has only happened recently given I’ve been Hypo for 20 years?
FYI my B12 is always within “normal” range.
My last TSH was 0.25 (September 2022) 100mcg Levothyroxine (always Accord/Actavis brand)
Thanks for any comments, suggestions or recommendations 😊
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With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins)
once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20
If you want to try a different brand in the meantime, one with virtually identical doses of the ingredients, and bioavailable too, then take a look at Vitablossom Liposomal B Complex. Amazon sometimes has it branded Vitablossom but it's also available there branded as Yipmai, it's the same supplement
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12
How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been
Thank you, SlowDragon, for all the tips and references. 👍
I'm not being treated for thyroid issues but have kidney disease and long term iron/ferritin/Vit D/B12 deficiencies, a couple of abnormal liver readings and borderline HbA1C results over the last year, and worsening fatigue in recent times.
I was taking Vit B1 with, instead of, after food, and recently, I also had a blood test for B12 and Active B12 (amongst others) not knowing to stop the B1 for a week before testing. Will know better next time!
Am saving your info for reference: they make more sense than different lab references and a dr who says, "everything is fine".
The GFR is reversibly reduced (by about 40%) in more than 55% of adults with hypothyroidism[40] due to several reasons.
Hypothyroidism results in a reversible elevation in serum creatinine due to the reduction in GFR as well as possible myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. There is a reduction in serum cystatin C levels in hypothyroidism due to reduced production, consequent to reduced cellular metabolism.[30] Both these changes are reversible with treatment of hypothyroidism.
If you have low vitamin D, folate, B12 , iron and ferritin and high HBA1C…..these are all typical symptoms of being hypothyroid
ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning around 9am latest
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
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
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
Also suspect liver link too as mine has risen inexplicably.
I realise my readings and health effects are relatively minor to a lot of people.
But my life, such as it is, has been in decline for over 12 months now and is still deteriorating. Other than leaving home two or three times a week then being totally wiped out for a day or so afterwards, I'm spending most of my time lying down between doing essential-only jobs around home. Need a couple of days to recuperate after going out, rarely get to the pool (used to swim 5km a time), don't go out at night at all, have withdrawn socially...cancelled last year's holiday (the previous year June 2021 I drove 1000s kms, camped, climbed the largest monocline in the world amongst other things -and now realise I've been in decline since returning Aug 2021), unable to go anywhere or plan anything for fun now except how to get through each day and deal with the fatigue and weakness and mental decline.
You did say to only get back after obtaining the relevant tests, and I have my next dr's appt in March. If I can't get him to do the tests you suggested, I then will go the private route -taking even longer.
I'm always chasing iron-rich foods, eating more pate at the moment, but my appetite is not the best, not much taste and can't be bothered as much 'cos of fatigue/lack of motivation. Do make use of supermarket prepared fresh salad vegies but reducing red meat for the last 7 months has also affected readings?
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