Does anyone take Vit C with Levo?

[CernCrystal]

Hi,

on my journey to support levo absorption and hypothyroid symptoms, I've recently been taking B12 drops sublingually, eating chicken liver pate most days, taking levo at 3am (need the loo anyway!) and have tried Cider Vinegar (with mother) which I find too much and can't currently stomach. All while having an increase from 50 - 75 Mcg levo kick in over 6 weeks. (I don't have a thyroid gland).

I still feel hypothyroid but the awful brainfog and shaking have really gone, which is great. I still have pins and needles in hands and feet - quite pronounced - but it is no longer up my arms/legs and across my chest and in mouth/face, I still feel tired and do not do evenings, but am slowly being able to do more exercise. I want to take it a step further and found a blog from Niki Cleuet, a naturopath who recommends taking Vit C (500mg) with levo dose as this can aid absorption (previously I'd only been looking for things that prevented or hindered absorption). I really need to make my 75mcg work as well as it can for me.

My question is - has anyone tried this and does it work?

Any info gratefully received. Thank you!

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

I take vitamin C every day but to bowel tolerance for a daily bowel movement.

Are you taking just a teaspoon of ACV in a glass of water ? I know it's an acquired taste but does help when stomach acid is low / non existent, to start to encourage the breakdown of food and extraction of key nutrients from your food.

I can't remember without loosing this reply - but have you any current readings for your core strength vitamins and minerals ?

I need to supplement all and know from a couple of years experience that I need to aim for ferritin at around 100 : folate at around 20 : active B12 75++ ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D at around 100.

I would have thought you are also needing to have your TSH, Free T3 /FreeT4 bloods run ?

Has it been 6-8 weeks since you increased your dose of T4 as we need to see how this increase has settled and expressed itself in your T3 and T4 results.

[CernCrystal in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks - Dr won't test for things at mo and I've lost faith in system, their last tests led to reduction in Levo so reluctant to ask for further test at mo - they have refused to test anything other than TSH. This site is helping me more than them - they made me hypothyroid! I'm building my own picture with help from you all. I cannot afford to do my own tests at the moment as had hours cut in half but when I can and I'm doing all I can for condition, I will test. I'm confident in the way things are improving though. From your info, looks like vit c may help with my constipation! Thanks.

[pennyannie in reply to CernCrystal]

Ok then - onwards and upwards :

[CernCrystal in reply to pennyannie]

PS will try ACV again with much more water and while eating. Thanks!

[pennyannie in reply to CernCrystal]

Drink down the ACV around 1/2 an hour before eating your main meal of the day that contains the most protein.

I always use warm/hottish water to dilute it.

Some take it down with a straw as the acid not good for tooth enamel.

[CernCrystal in reply to pennyannie]

Great - straws are a good idea and I have some! Will also hopefully reduce my reaction (desire to retch!!). Thank you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to CernCrystal]

CernCrystal

I take my ACV in some orange juice, slightly changes the taste but it's quite pleasant.

[DippyDame]

Levo requires the presence of stomach acid for good absorption.

Vit C is highly acidic and should not be taken on an empty stomach. It may help but if the levo dose/ hormone level is too low vit C /ACV won't solve the problem

If symptoms persist then you probably need more levo. ...75mcg is not a huge dose.

It sounds as if your GP is dosing by TSH which is not accurate....this is causing problems for many patients

[radd]

CernCrystal.

Yes, there's lots of research evidencing Vit C helps absorption of Levothyroxine but you need to be careful the Vit C you take doesn't contain any fillers that bind Levothyroxine. I myself use a few slices of fresh lemon in the glass of water by my bed that I take my meds with in the morning.

[humanbean]

have tried Cider Vinegar (with mother) which I find too much and can't currently stomach.

I'm assuming that you diluted it with plain water? It isn't intended to be taken neat.

It is suggested that people start with half a teaspoon in a small glass of water, gradually raising the dose of apple cider vinegar (ACV) as necessary, up to a maximum of 1 or 2 tablespoons.

Once someone takes ACV they should rinse their mouth out with plain water to rinse away as much acid as possible.

An hour after finishing the ACV + water, you can clean your teeth. Doing this too early can allow ACV + water to soften tooth enamel, and then allows brushing of teeth to strip the softened tooth enamel off the teeth.

[TSH110]

I have a drink of pineapple juice with lime just after I take my NDT. It doesn’t seem to make it any less effective. I have used ACV in the past instead