Update re Refulx & Thyroid

[Humphre]

I have gained useful advice from this group.

I have now sorted my acid reflux which I believe was low acid, I've done this with 1st calming down my stomach with celery juice 1st thing in a morning, did this for a fortnight before moving on to taking Betaine HCL, ProBion(probiotics) & making sure I have Kefir daily(that's really good) or Kimchi or other fermented food the odd lemon tea, so far so good, so much better. I've also changed my toothpaste to Splat no SLS in it and I use a dental probiotic to help the mouth flora(personally I think we're half bug) so doing better. I have also gone teetotal as I've read alcohol and hypothyroidism is a bad combination only just done this so no feedback as yet.

I did talk with Doc via email/letters etc and 2 months ago reduced my levothyroxine to 75mcg daily instead of 100 one day 75 the next. Why I can't remember and now realise now should have increased to 100mcg daily so annoyed with myself, symptoms come back and brain fog is the worse plus so depressed. Anyway had blood test came back normal whatever that means so will have to yet again email him and request increase. I live in an area that is a lottery via where bloods are tested, I live between two hospitals one better than the other and both do different tests the one I'd like to go to is of course the one that's hard for the Doc to access, so much for the NHS which does speak to the other Trusts🤦‍♀️. I really need to organise private test and I shall hopefully achieve that before I write on here again🤞

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

It is wise to always get a printed copy of your blood results for your own records. You can then share these in this group easily. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

I'm pleased you have made progress with your acid reflux. It's such a miserable, annoying symptom and I'm happy that members have been able to give you some pointers that have made a difference.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Humphre in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi, yes I've asked but due to the way NHS works my doctor is unable to access, don't know why. I do have NHS app so can see my record as I moved to a new area 7years ago I have a print out of all before. Whilst investigating my reflux other test were done re vitamins & said to be within normal range but I know that's not personal to me.

Couple of years ago I had a food intolerance test which re read realizing I don't have pepsin hence using Betaine HCL vitamins came back ok & permanently on AdCal D3 as I've had a hip replacement through trauma & now have Osteopenia plus Osteoarthritis in my wrists so damage do a while ago.

I think my plan now is to source a full blood test for hypo but need to find a local one.

Thanks to all the imput from here but I see others have differing symptoms as will are all unique.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Humphre]

Medichecks offer blood tests throughout the country at different places. Sometimes if you as a local private hospital they will do the blood draw for you at a price or there are finger prick tests you can do at home.

Knowing your vitamin levels would be really helpful.

[Humphre in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks I'll check them out👍

[Stourie in reply to Humphre]

l think your doctor is lying to you. If he took bloods then he will have results. He was able to tell you to reduce your meds so probably saw a low tsh. He’s breaking the law by refusing to give you your results Jo xx

[Humphre in reply to Stourie]

I have access to my health records, he has difficulty arranging blood tests as I used to go to one trust but now in another(border) & don't offer same tests🤦just the way it's managed. Had feedback this morning 👍 I'm to increase to 100mcg which I think will suit me better. When due my next b/t I'm going private as I can get to have it done locally so will send copy to my doctor. I didn't realise how complex hypothyroidism is a learning curve plus very individual. Learnt a lot on here.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Humphre]

Get bloods retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Also test folate, ferritin and B12 annually

And vitamin D ideally twice a year

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

Come back with new post once you get results

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 then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29 

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

[Humphre in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi I'm taking a hair/nail& skin supplement(had gel nails & ruined them🤦), ProBoion(probiotic), Betaine HCL(pepsin) & prescribed AlCal as I have Osteopenia & osteoarthritis. I've also given up alcohol as been reading hypothyroidism & alcohol not a good combination so having withdrawal symptoms of being really tired hopefully will pick up in another couple of weeks. I'm to try extra Vit D with Vit K2 which helps with absorption 🤞 not started that yet I'll wait for hair vit to finish.I'm grateful to all on here learning how unique we all are.

Yes I'm waiting to do new blood tests in about 5 weeks time & inc the vitamins tests. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Humphre]

Make sure to stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before ALL blood tests

Most hair and nail supplements contain biotin

biotin can falsely affect blood test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[Humphre in reply to SlowDragon]

Cheers, I should be finished with them soon, I'm going to check when I need new blood test & stop all extras accordingly for a true reading 😊👍

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Humphre]

There’s nothing wrong with taking biotin…..but it’s used in lots of lab test equipment….so just stop taking any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before any tests

[Humphre in reply to SlowDragon]

👍