vitamin interaction

[notsureaboutanyofit]

I recently have been told I have an overactive thyroid and Graves’ disease.

What vitamins interact with either of them?

Thank you

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum notsureaboutanyofit,

So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg when you were diagnosed, ongoing symptoms, current medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

It is essential to have the correct Antibody tests. I was initially diagnosed as Graves (largely on symptoms of palpitations, tremor, weight loss etc) but after encouragement from this forum I pushed for the correct tests. I actually have Hashimotos (plus Thyroid Eye Disease)

Antibody tests:

 Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) needs to be confirmed via positive TRab or TSI:

TRab

TSH receptor antibodies

TSI

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin

TPO & TG antibodies may be Graves or Hashimotos.

 TPOab

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies

TGab

Thyroglobulin antibodies

[notsureaboutanyofit in reply to Buddy195]

I didn’t know any of that.

I was diagnosed by GP for overactive thyroid, 3 months ago. I was not given any medication until today. This was after my app with a consultant who has told me I have Graves. He has said my levels were 38, and are actually getting better as last blood test, last week was at 20. Which is roughly normal.

I have been given 20mg Carbimazole once every day.

I do have palpitations a lot and they worry me, with a host of other symptoms including my eyes.

Im wondering what vitamins, if any, interfere with thyroidism and/or graves?

Thank you for your response!

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to notsureaboutanyofit]

Firstly, ask GP for a print out of all results (if you don’t have on line access) and share with us asap. You are legally entitled to these but may have to wait a couple of days for them to be copied for you. Push for testing of folate, ferritin, B12 and vit D with GP (or privately if they are reluctant to do this). Please don’t supplement these until levels are tested & shared with us. Remember that when GPs say ‘normal’ or ‘within range’ this may not be the same as optimal.

Have you been offered a beta blocker to help with palpitations?

Have you ever trialled a gluten free diet?

Are you taking any supplements at the moment?

I recommend you take a Selenium supplement, 200ug daily, as this has showed to help in mild/ moderate TED when taken in the first 6 months. Many take a maintenance dose of 100ug daily when the active phase of the condition has passed. Preservative free lubricating eye drops are important, such as HycoSan or Hyloforte. For light sensitivity wear sunglasses (even indoors if needed). If you have any eye pain, my TED ophthalmologist said to take ibuprofen (with food to protect your stomach). Also worth doing is using 2 pillows at night, to elevate your head.

Above all, please don’t overdo it on Google images, as they show ‘worst case’ scenarios.

I received great advice and support from TEDct, so do get their information pack. They run a telephone advice line, hold regular webinars and have a Facebook group. TEDct helped me find a TED specialist ophthalmologist in my area.

I was originally given a diuretic (furosemide) to help reduce eye lid swelling, but it didn’t do much for me. I found both hot and cold compresses did ease some of the swelling.

I recommend you take ongoing photos of your eyes/ alignment and store in ‘hidden’ on your phone, as you don’t want to be looking at them all the time. Having this bank of photos over time is useful when I have both endocrinology and ophthalmology appointments.

I also take lutein & zeazanthin (Eye complex 7 on Amazon) for overall eye health, so this is worth considering if you have any concerns about your vision.

We are a helpful & supportive group and are here to help. So many of us, myself included are indebted to this forum for helping us be self advocates and recover our health. 🦋

Try to add more information to your bio- symptoms etc and your ‘thyroid journey’ to date as members will be better able to advise.