vitamins

[Pastelart]

Hello all 😊

Herewith my latest vitamin results.

I need to take vitamin D supplements and would like advice on what to take, as I’ve read on this forum that I need to take K2? with it.

[Pastelart]

Vitamin D

Text

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pastelart]

Low vitamin D

GP should prescribe 1600iu everyday for 6 months.

But you are likely to benefit from taking higher dose, 2000iu or 3000iu daily

Retest in 2-3 months

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

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...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Only add one supplement at a time

Wait 10-14 days to assess any reaction before adding another

Starting with vitamin D, then magnesium

Followed by B12 ….then a vitamin B complex

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

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

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

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

Retest thyroid and vitamin levels 2 months after adding last vitamin supplement

What was ferritin result?

Other vitamins that you might test or supplement couple times a week

Zinc and selenium

[Pastelart in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, thank you. I have been taking iron, B12 and B complex for some months. I’m sure that my gp said that ferritin was being tested, but no results for some reason. My last one was 46. I have a follow up appointment in 2 weeks so will discuss with her.

I so appreciate the help and advice that you and others give on this fantastic forum; I’ve learned so much and am not embarrassed to stand up for myself when faced with ignorant doctors.

Thank you

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Pastelart]

Hi Pastelart 🤗

Did you have a full iron panel before starting iron supplement? What supplement are you taking? It’s interesting that you have been taking B12 and B complex for some time and yet still a bit on the low side 🤔 Do you take everything at the same time? I believe iron supplements can block other vitamins if taken at the same time- sure I read there needs to be a four hour gap. We get to learn all the stuff they don’t put on the label when we land here. I’m still learning loads 3 years in 🤗

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pastelart]

Exactly what B12 have you been taking

Considering you have been supplementing, B12 is still low

You need a separate B12 as well as Vitamin B complex until B12 over 500

Week before test ONLY stop vitamin B complex…..and take a separate methyl folate instead that week

[Pastelart in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve been taking Holland&Barret B12 1000 and B-Complex + vitamin C and I’ve been taking them with ferrous fumarate 305mg! I had a private iron test done and gp said to take prescribed iron. I’ve had big gaps when I’ve stopped my vitamins in preparation for blood tests.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pastelart]

A) get a good quality B12

I recommend the Nature Provides B12 drops

Continue taking B12 up to next test

Just stop B complex 5 days before and take separate folate those 5-7 days instead

B) never ever take any other supplements with iron (apart from vitamin C)

[Pastelart in reply to SlowDragon]

I hear you, thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pastelart]

is iron prescribed by GP

Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first

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

Stop iron supplement 5-7 days before test

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

[Charlie-Farley]

A good post on iron by Helvella

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...