Advice please

[Sailing14]

Could I have some advice as to whether these Monitor My Health results are low even though they are in range.

MMH were unable to test folate and haemoglobin due to error with sample.

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Active B12 below 70 is considered low

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Ferritin looks ok

[Sailing14 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much for your reply. I take vitamin d only at present. I have been on various antibiotics for viruses I have had so I am not sure this affects vitamins?

Have you been able to read the details below the results from MMH (above). They have cut off values only and I am not below 38 for B12 which would mean I am okay with this but could you advise. Also, is folate and haemoglobin important to retest?

Recent vitamin d test at surgery was normal I was told (although, I do not know level).

Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sailing14]

Recent vitamin d test at surgery was normal I was told (although, I do not know level).

You are legally entitled to copies of all your test results

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

is your hypothyroidism autoimmune?

Very important to test , folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

And test vitamin D twice a year

Can test via NHS private testing service

vitamindtest.org.uk

How much vitamin D are you taking

GP would say anything over 50nmol is normal

Optimal is over 75nmol

[Sailing14 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for this detailed reply. My vitamin d is around 69.3. I rang the surgery yesterday and they gave me some results thankfully. Folate was 7.1 (3.1 to 20.5). Results from 14 February. I take 2000 iu vitamin d (doctors best) on alternate days as I found when my vitamin levels went over 100 I didn't feel well, so I reduced.

Would you consider I need to take a folate vitamin, B12 and a bit more vitamin d?

Thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sailing14]

Suggest you look at starting a separate B12

After week add a daily vitamin B complex

Look at mouth spray for vitamin D

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sailing14]

They have cut off values only and I am not below 38 for B12 which would mean I am okay with this

Generally considered that Active B12 below 70 is low

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...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. 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...

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

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

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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