Hi guys,
Recently had my vitamins checked and wanted to get your thoughts. I’m a 33 year old male with Hashimotos and hypothyroidism. Currently on 75 mcg of levothyroxine and will be due an increase in a few weeks.
Vitamin B12 - 322 pg/ml [193 - 982]
Ferritin - 36.8 ng/ml [22 - 322]
Vitamin D - 90.83 nmol/l [75 - 250]
Also waiting on results for celiac.
Thanks in advance!
Ouch
Extremely low ferritin, especially for a bloke
You need full iron panel test for anaemia
Most likely reason for low iron/ferritin is being hypothyroid
But……Are you also vegetarian or vegan?
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
Medichecks iron panel test
medichecks.com/products/iro...
Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
List of iron rich foods
Links about iron and ferritin
irondisorders.org/too-littl...
davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...
Great in-depth article on low ferritin
oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...
drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Posts discussing Three Arrows as very effective supplement
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Iron patches
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...
Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Iron and thyroid link
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Good iron but low ferritin
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Chicken livers if iron is good, but ferritin low
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Shellfish and Mussels are excellent source of iron
healthline.com/nutrition/he...
Iron deficiency without anaemia
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Ferritin over 100 to alleviate symptoms
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Great research article discussing similar…..ferritin over 100 often necessary
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Low Iron implicated in hypothyroidism
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Ferritin range on Medichecks
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Inflammation affecting ferritin
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
We have received further information the lab about ferritin reference ranges. They confirm that they are sex dependent up to the age of 60, then beyond the age of 60 the reference range is the same for both sexes:
Males 16-60: 30-400 ug/L
Female's: 16-60: 30-150
Both >60: 30-650
The lower limit of 30 ug/L is in accordance with the updated NICE guidance and the upper limits are in accordance with guidance from the Association of Clinical Biochemists. ‘
Hi SlowDragon,
When you do a vitamin test do you stay on your current supplements or stop them a few weeks before?
I have ordered one so would really appreciate some advice. Thank you
What vitamin supplements are you taking
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
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until over 500
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
Stop iron supplements 5-7 days before test
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
Medichecks iron panel test
medichecks.com/products/iro...
Thank you SlowDragon.
I am taking
- 5mg folic acid (prescribed) due to clef lip and when we eventually re-commence IVF
- Multivitamin Proceive Max as it is supposed to help egg quality and I am 39 (photo)
- Omega 3 2000mg - brand is also proveive
Yes it does have biotin so thank you, I will stop 7 days before.
Thank you for you help
So that’s a LOT of folic acid if taking separate folic acid on prescription and 200% daily allowance folic acid in multivitamin
Folate and B12 and Neural tube defects and autism
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
And multivitamin contains iodine.
Not a good idea on levothyroxine
Thank you slow dragon
SlowDragon
This is an older one that I had done on the NHS. Not sure how relevant it is now as it was done back in July?
- Serum transferrin: 2.30 g/L (Normal range: 2.15 to 3.65 g/L)
- Serum iron level: 24 umol/L (Normal range: 13 to 32 umol/L)
- Transferrin saturation index: 40.1 % (No normal range provided)
SlowDragon sorry to tag you again, wasn’t sure if you saw this. Is this sufficient, or do I need a new one really? Thanks 
July results
No probably don’t need new test …..yet
So no need to supplement to improve ferritin? Just eat iron-rich food? I’ll be getting my thyroid bloods done within the next couple of weeks too as the dr mentioned I’ll need to go up from 75mcg to 100 levothyroxine.
Months ago I was taking a multivitamin that had 5mg of iron in it. I looked to see if I could get anything that was just iron at a low dose but everything is for huge doses.
Veganicity do iron tablets that I think are low dose, you have to take 3 a day if I remember correctly and since we are supposed to only take iron on alternate days maybe 1 tablet on alternate days would suit you? I haven't checked the amount in Veganicity though, might not be as little as I think.
Thank you! I've never heard of them before - is this the one? veganicity.com/chelated-iro...
Looks pretty good - only 24mg so could take it every few days or something maybe? I'm having my thyroid bloods done on the 7th, so will perhaps mention it to my private Dr then to see what she thinks in regards to dosage?
No folate result?
Vitamin B12 - 322 pg/ml [193 - 982]
B12 is far too low
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
Highly effective B12 drops
natureprovides.com/products...
Or
B12 sublingual lozenges
uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
B12 range in U.K. is too wide
Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Low folate
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
healthline.com/nutrition/fo...
Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
B vitamins best taken after breakfast
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-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
Other options
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....
Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose
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
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until over 500
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
Didn’t do folate - I’ll make sure I do them next time. I’m vegan. Will supplement with Vit D and a b complex. Shall I supplement iron? I think I’ve not supplemented it before because I’ve read it can be dangerous to have too much?
As a vegan it’s highly likely you are low in iron
Down to you to test full iron panel test 3-4 times per year
Get tested as next step
As vegetarian or vegan it’s essential to self supplement B12 daily
Brilliant, will do! I’ll also get tested with a full iron panel ASAP via medichecks
Come back with new post once you get results
B12
academic.oup.com/nutritionr...
The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency. Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3
Most on here seem to aim for a vit D level of >125nmol/l which the link below supports.
Did you have your Folate checked?With both very low iron levels and a Vitamin D level below 100 it could be possible that you are Deficienct in Folates.
Folate Deficiency causes similar problems with absorbing iron and vitamin D as Vitamin B12 Deficiency, as well as affecting how well you can manage thyroid symptoms and Fatigue. Both of these deficiencies are serious because they can cause a flare up of so many different chronic health problems.
I would suggest that you request a Folate test from the GP.
Don't take any supplements for 5-7 days before the test for vitamins and minerals to improve the accuracy of the tests.
I didn’t. Will have to get it checked
How's your gut? Diarrhea/Constipation issues?
Yep! Constipation and also having stomach cramps. Waiting on my coeliac results too!
Recently stopped taking omeprazole too as I think it was probably causing more issues than solving.
Can these deficiencies cause gut issues dealsgap ?
Yes they can. It helps if you have more soluble fibre foods in your diet.Constipation can be worse while taking Omeprazole , it doesn't necessarily cause it , in my case the cause of it was both B12 and Folate Deficiency,.
I still have IBS -C ( that means with constipation) but it is much easier since my deficiency and pancreatic enzyme insufficiency we found.
Wonder how I knew this???
With Hashi's something is attacking your thyroid. You might have leaky gut and/or "other" gut issues. "Stuff" that gets through the gut and not digested could land "anywhere" in the body. "IF" this "stuff" lands on the thyroid then the body attacks it (could drive TSH/antibody levels up). This can also cause the famous "nodules" that we hear so much about. You will probably need to have a "stool test" to see if you have dysbiosis and/or parasites. Luckily, I only had dysbiosis.
Something else to consider is if you are Hypo the body lacks energy to do it's many trillions of tasks that a body does daily that most take for granted. One of those tasks is moving food through a long tube. If the energy needed to do this is minimal/lacking along with a gut that is not functioning properly and/or possible "leaking" then this body is going to either be constipated and/or have diarrhea.
Of course, we haven't even mentioned the possibility of needing to detox (at the cellular level) so many things to consider. I started with just one thing years ago and started marking each one that I took care of off of my list. So much better today, had to get away from doctors and learn on my own along with other naturopaths who actually knew something about the body..
Sounds likely then! Finding out I was hypo was actually due to me going the doctors with stomach / abdominal pains/issues, so he did bloods and my TSH was over range. I ended up having to go private to actually get treatment.
What kind of stool test? Does it have a specific name?
Raising vitamin D levels
Confused about Vitamin D levels.
Vitamin and mineral levels 
Vitamin D / Folate Levels
vitamin and mineral levels
