Poor converter?

[Vizslaaddict]

Hello all,

I currently have another post up about private endo recommendations. I’m wondering if I need to consider T3 therapy as I’m running out of options.

Thyroid result February 125 Levo dose

TSH 0.076 (0.27-4.2)

Free T3 4.6 (3.1-6.8)

Free Thyroxine 22.2 (12-22)

B12 35.7 (37.5-188)

GP repeated this and result was 208 (150-1000) no further action

Reduced Levo to 100 which is more appropriate dose for my weight

March - 6 weeks later

TSH 4.17 (0.27-4.2)

Free T3 3.6 (3.1-6.8)

Free Thyroxine 18.11 (12-22)

I felt hyperactive first 2 weeks after reducing dose then slowly hypothyroid again, fatigue, aches and pains, cold, neck swelling.

I’m following gluten free diet, same brand Levo, could be better with stress management but walk dog daily and prioritise sleep.

Am I a poor converter maybe? I have tried reading books about this but I can’t get my head around it.

I don’t think I have any other deficiency - all tested in February - but B12 may need some further attention.

Thanks for reading.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

B12 is extremely low/borderline deficient and absolutely definitely needs improving significantly

Are you vegetarian or vegan

What were folate, vitamin D and ferritin results

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...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Request dose increase in Levo to 112.5mcg daily

(Cut 25mcg tablet in half) ….or take 100mcg and 125mcg alternate days

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Currently your conversion is extremely poor

Getting all four vitamins to OPTIMAL levels is first step to improving conversion rate

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol

Folate towards top of range

Ferritin at least over 70

[Vizslaaddict in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for taking time to reply.

Not vegan or vegetarian so should be getting enough through diet - nutrient rich.

I’ve started to alternate between 100 and 125 Levo and will start the b12 supplementation you recommend.

Folate 14.8 (>7)

Vitamin D 77.1 (50-250)

Ferritin 199 (30-180)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Vizslaaddict]

So folate will improve once you start daily vitamin B complex

How much vitamin D are you taking

[Vizslaaddict in reply to SlowDragon]

Great I’ve just ordered B complex.

I took a 2 month course of Vitamin D3/K2 100 but haven’t kept taking now in range. Do you think I should keep going with Vit D?