absorption test

[Lisalee123456]

so my thyroid levels are still playing up docs want to up meds again to 225mg a day levothyroxine and have order an absorption test? Anyone know how these work

many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

looking at previous posts

Were you always taking Levo on its own, at least 2 hours away from any other medications or supplements

Which brand of levothyroxine

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Please add most recent results

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

[SlowDragon Administrator]

absorption test details

mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/2023...

Testing to deferentiate between malabsorption and pseudo malabsorption

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/320...

Malabsorption

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Lisalee123456 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou for replying that explains so much Thankyou- so originally when I first had a full thuroidectoctomy in was put on 125mg of levothyroxine and victimin d3 and calcium tablets I was also taking sertraline which I had been on for years- I now no longer take sertraline as I feel the doctors were trying to say that is what was interfering with my absorption- following severel blood tests and my tsh being constantly over 100 they upped my dosage to 175 to 200 to now 225. My routine for taking medication has been the same the whole time first thing in morning empty tummy as soon as I wake up with a big glass of water I then wait about 2 hours-2.5 to take my calcium tablet which I have to take twice a day so I take morning and night. As regards to any other vitiamins I don’t take any, my b12 is always raised also

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lisalee123456]

Calcium needs to be MINIMUM of 4 hours away from Levo…..so this may be reducing absorption

What is your folate result

High B12 when not taking supplements can be suspicious

Paradoxical B12 deficiency

b12oils.com/paradoxical.htm...

Suggest you consider adding a daily vitamin B complex. This can help keep all B vitamins in balance. Many thyroid patients are low in thiamine (B1)

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)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lisalee123456]

Vitamin D tablets or gels must also be minimum of 4 hours away from Levo

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...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must also 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...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lisalee123456]

You could try taking levothyroxine at bedtime

Many people find it more convenient, possibly gives better absorption

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

which brand Levo are you using

[pennyannie]

Hey there -

Just a heads up - as I do not know the answer - but have been wondering about you - glad you've got back in touch though sorry to read you seem no further forward.

[Lisalee123456]

oh bless you Thankyou- well my bloods taken about 3-4 weeks ago showed a very small improvement from 100 tsh to 98 but this time bloods taken on Monday showed they rose again to over 100- today is the first day on the updated dose of 225mg so lets see if it makes a difference- haven’t felt as bad this week had a few good days which has been nice but I’m just taking it day by day- hopefully the absorption test will show some answers hope your keeping well x

[pennyannie in reply to Lisalee123456]

Is this absorption test being arranged through the NHS or have you been left to find how to do it for yourself - since it seems to me the NHS rarely accepts any tests not run through them ?

[Lisalee123456 in reply to pennyannie]

Yes through the nhs- they had a meeting with my endocrinologist and oncologist and they decided to go ahead with the test so finally listening to me hopefully

[pennyannie in reply to Lisalee123456]

Ok - about time - good - fingers crossed it's very soon - keep us in the loop :