Thyroid, Hair Loss and Magnesium

[MurphysMama]

Good Morning!

If anyone could give me alittle I would be very grateful.

I have high blood pressure and was pre diabetic which I now have under control, but read that magnesium was very good for both, hence started to take it. I didnt realise though that magnesium can impede some medications to my horror 🙄

So after feeling horribly tired and my hair started to fall out and snap off, I went to the doctors, was told to have a thyroid test. It has come back in 'normal' range.

Could anyone tell me if they think that it is in normal range?

Thyroid function test

Serum free T4 level 14.2 pmol/L [11.0 - 22.0] - previously 15.8 pmol

Serum TSH level 1.30 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2] - previously 1.50 miu/L

Thank you for your time

Sara

[fuchsia-pink]

Hi Sara

Most of us need free T4 to be higher than this to feel well - in the top third or so of the lab range. But with TSH "in range" they won't do anything for you (and not even if TSH goes so high that you are out-of-range unless it goes to about 10, at which point you will feel totally rubbish)

See if they will check your key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12 - and heck that these are in the top half of the range. If not, improve your diet or loo to supplements (not a multi-vitamin but a specific supplement for whatever is low)

They can be resistant to testing vit D so it's worth supplementing this anyway in the winter months

Good luck!

[MurphysMama in reply to fuchsia-pink]

ok thank you so much

[greygoose in reply to MurphysMama]

If you stop taking the magnesium with your levo, the FT4 could rise again.

[MurphysMama in reply to greygoose]

Indeed, but I stopped taking it approx 3 weeks before this last blood test, so maybe it will take a little while

[greygoose in reply to MurphysMama]

I expect it will, yes.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Magnesium MUST be taken at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine

Have you been doing that?

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you did your test?

FT4: 14.2 pmol/l (Range 11 - 22)

Ft4 is only 29.09% through range

Ft4 = Levo dose

Most people on just levothyroxine need Ft4 at least 60-70% through range

Looking at previous posts …..no vitamin tests

Exactly what other vitamin supplements are you taking

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 NOW

Or test privately via Medichecks or Blue horizon or MMH

Hairloss is frequently low iron/ferritin

[MurphysMama in reply to SlowDragon]

I wasn't doing that, no, I was taking it morning and evening, the evening dose with my levothyroxine, until I read up about it when my hair started to fall out.

Regarding how I did the test, yes followed that advice which I have read many times here. I had radio iodine treatment, approx 4 years ago and have struggled ever since with levels I think.

I have not had a vitamin test, but do take a complex B Vitamin, as again recommended on here.

It looks like I should try for another doctors appointment, although I have been told the last few visits the because I am 'in range' they are not prepared to increase Levo dose.

It feels never ending doesn't it sometimes 🫤

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to MurphysMama]

First step

Get vitamin D tested now

How much vitamin D are you taking daily

Test twice yearly when supplementing

NHS private testing service

vitamindtest.org.uk

Optimal vitamin D at least over 80nmol and between 100-125nmol may be better

Meanwhile ensure taking levothyroxine correctly …..magnesium at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine

If you take levothyroxine at bedtime…..take magnesium late afternoon

Retest FULL thyroid and vitamins in 6-8 weeks including vitamin levels

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

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...

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I take 400 mg Magnesium every day and it’s done nothing to reduce my very high BP.