can you tell me what the best brand to take for... - Thyroid UK

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can you tell me what the best brand to take for low folate

Bookworm90 profile image
13 Replies

I had full thyroid check with medicheck just over a year ago.

the result for my vitamins were

Folate.

2.38ugl ( 3.89 - 19.45)

Vitamin b12

69.5 pmol/L ( 37.5 - 150)

Vitamin D

67 ( 50-200)

I did get my folate check with my doctors, after I told them of my private blood test but they came back just in range, and they wouldn’t prescribe me folate and told me to buy it myself.

But I having issues swallowing the folic acid tablets and I just stopped taking them.

I was wondering are the gummies version I have seen are they any good?

I take nature provides D3 & K2 in organic black seed oil, which was recommended here once a day with my evening meal & I really like.

I know I need to Do another medicheck test, which I will do soon

As I realise they are doing 20% of all test at the moment during January,

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13 Replies
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

I would 100% retest levels asap, post on the forum and then supplement as advised. If your vitamin tests are 12 month old, we cannot reliably comment. They will be a useful comparison however to your new results.

I successfully improved my B12 and folate with Thorne Basic B, but these are very large, so not advisable if you have difficulties with swallowing.

Bookworm90 profile image
Bookworm90 in reply to Buddy195

Thank you, I think I would be okay with big tablets, I think it just the thought when you see them & how big they are.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Once you get new test results

assuming both are still 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…… but it tastes grim)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

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

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

Bookworm90 profile image
Bookworm90 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you for your reply back slow dragon

did get my test back from medicheck full test & I had blood test from the doctors done at the same time for my vitamins. They have prescribed me 3 month course of folate

Which I take at 2pm, unless it better to take it another time during the day ?

My results are

7.2 ( 7-35) for my folate .

vitamin b12 54.2 pmol/L (37.5 - 188)

vitamin d 69.7nmol/L (50 - 250)

I’m now taking my nature provide D3 and K2 everyday with my main meal

Ferrtin 104 (30 - 207)

My thyroid results

TSH 0.156. ( 0.27 - 4.2)

T3 4.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

T4 20.7 ( 12-22)

Are my thyroid results okay. Would suggest a reduction

I’m on alternative days for 75mcg & 100mcg

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bookworm90

Both B12 and folate are too low

Ideally you should start B12 supplement BEFORE starting on folic acid

But GP’s rarely seem to know this

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subac...

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

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...

Once you finish prescription folic acid

Start 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

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

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

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 Active B12 over 70 minimum, over 100 better

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bookworm90

vitamin D too low also

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

Only add one supplement at a time and then wait 10-14 days to assess before adding another

Starting with B12, then folic acid, then vitamin D, last magnesium

Many (most?) thyroid patients need to supplement vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin B complex continuously

Some also need separate B12 as well if vegetarian

Retest at least annually

Improving low vitamin levels should help improve conversion rate of Ft4 to Ft3 which is currently poor

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bookworm90

FT4: 20.7 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 87.00% through range

FT3: 4.5 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 only 37.84% through range

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Was last dose 75mcg or 100mcg

Shows poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Improving low vitamin levels should help

Retest thyroid again in 2-3 months

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Folate and B12 best taken in morning after breakfast

Bookworm90 profile image
Bookworm90 in reply to SlowDragon

My test was done at 8.30am in the morning

Without taking any meds before test. It was just over 26 hours after taking my meds the day before at 6am which I took the 100mcg.

Yes I always get the same brand. I always check to make sure before I leave.

I’ve on 75 teva, which I think the tablets have gotten smaller.

For 100 I’m on accord

I find I’m okay with Teva as long as I don’t take it everyday. I would get bad constipation.

Thank you for your reply and I will start taking my folate after breakfast.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bookworm90

Teva upsets many people

Suggest you look at getting all Accord prescribed

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets

So you would need to cut 50mcg in half to get 25mcg

You might be better taking 87.5mcg every day……cutting 50mcg into half and 1/4 tablets ….taking 3/4 tablet everyday

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bookworm90

How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Mixteca profile image
Mixteca

I take Health Leads L-methylfolate 400mcg. Tiny capsules and very easy to swallow. My levels had always been on the low side and I managed to raise them successfully.

Do get blood tests done as advised and test for Pernicious Anaemia/B12 deficiency - the PAS forum members can help with that.

Bookworm90 profile image
Bookworm90 in reply to Mixteca

Thank you & will have a look,

My results came back for folate 7.2 ( 7- 35) the doctor prescribed me 3 month course

B12 54.2 ( 37.5 - 188)

Do you find it best to take folate and b12 as separate tablet or together as one tablet.

Mixteca profile image
Mixteca in reply to Bookworm90

I inject B12. Your B12 is too low - I think you need to be having injections too and testing for PA- and to start those injections before supplementing with folate. I urge you to post test results on PAS forum (serum + active B12 results) for advice ASAP before taking anything.

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