After recently finding out I have Hashimotos (going to the Dr on Thursday) I have been taking stock on what I take and whether it is beneficial to me or could cause harm. I take the Heights Smart Supplement and wondered what you guys thought of what is inside it. I was mainly worried because i gathered that Iodine doesn't help with Hashimoto's? Should I get a test for Iodine?
I also plan to up my intake of Selenium, as I read it's best to have around 200mcg a day?
Here's what's in the supplement:
Omega 3 DHA - 250mg
Blueberry Extract - 80mg
Vitamin B12 - 25mcg
Vitamin D3 - 45mcg
Vitamin C - 80mg
Omega 3 EPA - 125mg
Vitamin A - 151mcg
Folic Acid (B9) - 500mcg
Biotin (B7) - 50mcg
Vitamin B6 - 20mg
Vitamin B5 - 49mg
Vitamin B3 - 30mg
Vitamin B2 - 30mg
Vitamin B1 - 30mg
Vitamin E - 31mg
Chromium - 100mcg
Iodine - 152mcg
Iron - 5mg
Selenium - 55mcg
Zinc - 7.5mg
I've also been reading The Root Cause by Izabella Wentz, so I'm trying to get as much info as possible. Hopefully this is a good book to take advice from?
Thanks! This forum is super helpful.
The supplement is also super expensive, so if everything in it is not needed, then i'll happily stop paying the £30 or so a month, as I also take their probiotic that is a similar amount per month too. I take them as they're vegan-friendly and apparently contain higher quality ingredients than others (according to them!)
Written by
Griffo_
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
That's a very expensive multivitamin/mineral. What made you start taking it in the first place?
We don't recommend multi's here for a variety of reasons, they tend to obtain levels of active ingredients that don't help low levels or deficiencies, often contains ingredients that shouldn't be taken at the same time (eg Vit C and B12), the least absorbable and wrong form of ingredients (yours seems to contain selenite whereas the recommended form is selenium L-selenomethionine), often contain iron which affects absorption of everything else, and iodine should not be supplemented unless first tested to see if we need it. Iodine solution used to be used to treat overactive thyroid so can cause hypothyroidism or make hypothyroidism worse.
If you want to test for iodine then do a non-loading iodine test by Genova Diagnostics:
Click on READ THE LIST OF AVAILABLE TESTS and it's on page 3 of the pdf
Urine Iodine Test:
Specimen requirements: Urine
Cost: £76.00
Order Code: END25
Turnaround time: 5 - 10 days
Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health.
Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.
I also plan to up my intake of Selenium, as I read it's best to have around 200mcg a day?
Ideally you would test selenium before doing so. You may or may not need it. Some say it's OK to take up to 100mcg without testing but for any more it's best to test.
My suggestion is to ditch this multi supplement, test key nutrients - Vit D, B12, Folate, Ferritin - and iodine and selenium if you wish, then supplement what you need at the correct dose for you.
Ah, the power of advertising! I've been around long enough to know it's all a load of tosh. All the really good brands don't advertise, you'll see brands suggested by members that you've probably never heard of but they'll be better than anything you'll find in a supermarket, on the high street or flashed up on FB.
When were your vitamins last tested?
Ferritin - 97.7 [30 - 400]
Ferritin is said to be recommended to be half way through range; however, some experts say that the optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L but they don't say if that applies to both males and females.
Folate - serum - 35.9 [8.83 - 60.8]
Folate is recommended to be at least half way through range, half way with your range is 35+ so yours is pretty good but room to improve if you wish.
Vitamin B12 - >150 [37.5 - 188]
This is higher than the testing equipment measures, we say to aim for Active B12 over 100 so yours is excellent.
Vitamin D - 87.9 [50 - 250]
The Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health all recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol/L.
Depending on when these tests were done, if you can make Vit D naturally from the sun then your level may be higher now, if not it could do with a boost.
Click on "Read the list of available tests" and on page 3 of the pdf you'll see
Urine Iodine Test:
Specimen requirements: Urine
Order Code: END25
Turnaround time: 5 - 10 days
Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health.
Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Should I avoid liquid iron supplement with iodine in?
Should I add Selenium Supplement
What supplements should I be taking
Should I stop my medication
