hi there, I posted in December to say my GP had reluctantly agreed an increase in my Levothyroxine from 50mcg to 75mcg following a blood test which showed:
TSH 2.91 (0.35-5.5)
T4 13.9 (10.5-21.0)
He also requested some more blood tests and I asked for vitamin D,B12, Ferritin and Folate as per guidance from this site.
I felt really fatigued/and a bit strange over Christmas but I feel better now. I’m guessing change in meds.
Results are in, GP says all normal except Vitamin D for which I need to supplement 1000 units daily in winter months.
Please can I have advice on the others and if I need to supplement by how much?
Vitamin D - 34.9 nmo/l- range under 30 is deficient. 30-50 may be inadequate.
B12 - 344ng/l (211-911)
Ferritin - 73.2 ug/l (10-291)
Folate - 7.30 ug/l (>4.12) 6.13 is replete.
thank you!
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Wilma76
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This is useful to work out how much Vit D you need to add, always choose one with K2 MK7 as this is good for your bones 🤗 tablets are ok but need to be taken with a fatty meal or go for a sublingual like Nature Provides or Better You spray
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
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
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
GP had reluctantly agreed an increase in my Levothyroxine from 50mcg to 75mcg following a blood test which showed:
TSH 2.91 (0.35-5.5)
T4 13.9 (10.5-21.0)
Which brand is 75mcg
Which brand of Levo was 50mcg
Retest again 6-10 weeks after increasing dose
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)
Thank you for all of the information, it’s been really helpful reading through all the info and links.
I was on Teva brand for both. My new prescription is Teva for the 50mcg and Wockhardt for the 25mcg. I know there’s quite a few posts about people’s experiences using different brands on here. I have a stock of Teva so I will use those first whilst I’m still adjusting to the higher level.
Yesterday I had to see the doctor about something else, but while I was there I asked him to add my list of vitamins etc. to my notes ready for when I need my blood test after a reduction that starts tomorrow.
He told me that the NHS don’t like doing D3 anymore because of the price, then he said he’d add it anyway and hope for the best. I don’t know if this is a new thing countrywide because testing my D3 has never been a problem before.
I've seen dozens of results reported on this forum from the NHS showing a folate reference range where the top of range is over 60. So to say that 6.13 is replete is, to put it mildly, very unexpected.
Personally I aim to get mine up to double figures, and preferably about 15 - 20 mcg/L. But others may find they get no benefit from levels that high, or they may need theirs higher. Experimentation is important.
A list of symptoms of folate deficiency, for future reference :
Personally I keep my B12 at 1000+ using methylcobalamin supplements. In doing so I have fixed a couple of almost lifelong health problems. I don't have Pernicious Anaemia.
A question for you humanbean, given all your impressive reading on this topic. Have you ever come across a discussion of an 'optimal' Active B12 result? The Medichecks range is 25.1 - 165 pmol/L.
I think the consensus is that an absolute minimum level should be 70 pmol/L and optimal is 100 up to top of range i.e. 100 - 165 pmol/L using the range you mention.
I posted on here a few months ago amongst other things about my vitamin results. Following blood tests my vitamin D result was :
Vitamin D - 34.9 nmo/l-
range under 30 is deficient.
30-50 may be inadequate
The GP initially said I should take 1000ui daily but then reverted and gave me a super dose of 20,000iu to take once a week for 7 weeks. I noticed within 2 weeks the dry, cracked skin on both my hands healed completely. I finished my super dose two weeks ago and it’s starting to come back already. I’ve been taking the 1000ui daily. But surely this is no coincidence?
Now I’m just not sure how to proceed?
The vit d calculator based on my test results says 5,000 iu daily maintenance and I would have needed 25,000iu daily for 6 days to bring me up to 75 nmo.
But I’ve now had the super dose would my levels have gone up? Can you take too much?
Not sure if the Gp would retest my vit d level so soon. Any advice appreciated. Thanks ☺️
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