optimal vitamin and mineral levels

[Ellen70]

Hi, I’m new to the group . Joining after a Hashimoto’s diagnosis and subclinical hypothyroidism. Currently taking 25mg of levothyroxine. I’m having blood tests for Vit d , B12 , folate and ferritin. What are optimal levels for these please?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

In some ways it can depend on the lab where you have your tests run as different labs sometimes have different ranges, although there are some generalisations. Once you have your blood results then please do start a new post with them for specific recommendations for you.

Just going to the local supermarket or health store and buying a supplement off the shelf can be very hit and miss.

Generally speaking the following levels would be considered optimal.

Ferritin - 90-100

Serum B12 - 500++

folate - 20 (varies a lot depending on range, may be higher)

Vit D - 100-150

A few pointers for your treatment overall.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[Ellen70 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you. Yes tested positive for TPO antibodies.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Ellen70]

With Hashi's it can be beneficial to trial a strictly gluten free diet to see if that helps symptoms. Some people also find dairy affects them and they need to remove that as well.

[Ellen70 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I have raised TTG levels (equivocal)which can suggest coeliac disease ! However the EMA antibodies are negative (if positive more likely to have CD). I had very similar results 3 years ago and had biopsy which was negative. No symptoms but could be silent Coealic. Dr wants to test levels in 3 months.

[Marz]

Are you booked in for another blood test 6/8 weeks after starting Levo/T4 ? 25mcg is a very low starting dose unless you are elderly with a poorly heart 🌻

[Ellen70 in reply to Marz]

Blood test booked around 11 weeks from starting dose. I think I’m on low dose because T4 is in range ( slap bang In middle) whilst TSH is just out of range at around 6. Symptoms are mild at moment. Also postive for TPO antibodies at 227 (lab range 0-33).