Folate timing

[mountaingoat83]

Good morning, I’m taking folate as we’re trying for a baby and I’ve read this is better than folic acid. My question is do I need to take it at a different time to levothyroxine? I take it 30 mins to an hour after, but I’m not sure if it’s like iron and should be several hours apart. Many thanks for your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

B vitamins best in morning, at least 2 hours away from levothyroxine

But should test vitamin levels ….and thyroid too

When were folate, B12, ferritin and vitamin D last tested

Rather than just folate you may be better taking a good quality daily vitamin B complex

Thyroid test

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Pregnancy guidelines

thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby/

NICE guidelines that if hypothyroid or subclinical you should see endocrinologist BEFORE TTC

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

See pages 7&8

btf-thyroid.org/Handlers/Do...

Also here - dose increase in levothyroxine as soon as pregnancy test confirms conception

cuh.nhs.uk/patient-informat...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Low ferritin, low thyroid levels and miscarriage

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

Low iron and hypothyroid

endocrineweb.com/news/thyro...

Folate and B12 and Neural tube defects and autism

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[mountaingoat83 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I will change when I’m taking it. I’ve got a blood test booked for 3 weeks’ time - I had a private one for TSH/T4/T3 last week and T4/T3 were ok but TSH was raised just out of range. However I’ve been taking a product with myo inositol and folic acid in for 4 months so I wonder if it’s that as I’ve been relatively stable for a couple of years. So I’ve stopped that combined product and GP is re-testing - they say 3 weeks should be enough to see if my TSH has come back down again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to mountaingoat83]

I had a private one for TSH/T4/T3 last week and T4/T3 were ok but TSH was raised just out of range.

What were actual results

Was test early morning

how much levothyroxine are you taking

Always same brand?