Other blood results: I now have more results... - Thyroid UK

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Other blood results

Purple450 profile image
10 Replies

I now have more results

Serum folate 14.3 (3.1-17.5)

Ferritin 138 (13-150)

Iron 14 (5-28)

B12 280 (200-940)

Since they are in the range ‘everything is normal’!

The coeliac one was clear so I can now try gluten free for 3 months to see if it makes any changes.

But I am still tired, muscle aches, being cold and brain fog.

So can I ask, do I just need to work on my vitamin D and B12?

They didn’t test vitamin D since it wasn’t that long since it was tested 48 (50-200)

Thank you.

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Purple450 profile image
Purple450
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TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

Yep, luckily those two are generally quite quick to raise as you can take a loading dose in both before dropping back to a maintenance dose... I find sublingual works best like Nature Provides offer

grassrootshealth.net/projec...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

They didn’t test vitamin D since it wasn’t that long since it was tested 48 (50-200)

Low vitamin D

GP should prescribe 1600iu everyday for 6 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 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 when supplementing

Can test via NHS private testing service

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...

Recipe ideas

bbc.co.uk/food/articles/mag...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

Purple450 profile image
Purple450 in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks for your reply, the doctors didn’t treat the vitamins D, I was just told to get some from the chemist, it was suggested to get 800iu. But since that was marketed as a kids for Better you, I end up with one my daughter uses better you D3000.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPurple450

Retest in 2-3 months

If it’s the Green Better You mouth spray

one spray = 3000iu

If it’s the Red one that includes K2 ….

one spray = 1000iu

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Serum folate 14.3 (3.1-17.5)

B12 280 (200-940)

You B12 is very low

Do you have Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

NICE guidelines on B12 and testing

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

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 supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

Purple450 profile image
Purple450 in reply toSlowDragon

I have a B12 spray that I got from tescos but since my folate result is at 77% would I still need an extra B complex? I have some mild symptoms, but it’s the tiredness and muscle spasms and the cold that gets me the most.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPurple450

Yes important to keep all B vitamins in balance

Purple450 profile image
Purple450 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for your reply I’ll get some while I’m out today.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toPurple450

Cheapest and widest choice usually buying online

Cornwaller profile image
Cornwaller

If you were taking b12 orally or as a spray your result is quite low as SlowDragon has detailed. If you were taking the b12 in the two week period before the blood draw the result suggests that your b12 absorption may be poor. If this were the case it would be wise to check your b12 again in a few months time and to be aware of any symptoms that might be creeping up on you. The symptoms of b12 deficiency develop slowly and can be overlooked at the early stages. See B12d.org for range of possible symptoms.

Best wishes.

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