Hi all. I wanted to ask advice as I know that my GP will just suggest a regular blood test to see if the supplements are affecting my thyroxine. I hope you don’t mind taking some time to check if these ingredients are ok with my thyroid meds. I have uploaded pics.
I guess it’s the iodine in my perimenopausal gummies I’m most concerned about! Thanks in advance.
I don't think anyone will be able to read the words and numbers on the first image.
Please add it to a reply. Images on replies can be zoomed and end up effectively bigger.
It's not so much a matter of how they affect your levo as how they affect each other. Multis of any kind are always a very bad idea. Let's take your perimenopause supplements - and by calling it that it grabs you by the feels and makes you buy it, when in fact it's just a commone or garden multi with nothing special about it that will impact your situation.
So, what jumps out at me is:
- Folic acid: synthetic folate that is not well absorbed
- Zinc and copper: these two should be kept balanced but when you are hypo you usually have one high and therefore the other low. Taking more of the one that is high is really not a good idea
- Iodine: not a good idea for hypos because you will be getting iodine from your thyroid hormone replacement - 100 mcg levo contains about 65 mcg iodine which is recycled in the body. So, it's easy to over-dose on iodine because when you're taking thyroid hormone replacement your thyroid is not making hormone anymore so you need less not more iodine. And excess iodine is not good, it can cause all sorts of complications - thyroid cancer for one thing
- Soy extract: again, not a good idea to take any sort of unfermented soy, it can make you more hypo by blocking absorption of thyroid hormone by the cells.
- Gensing: an adaptogen. We have to be careful with adaptogens because they can make things worse and they affect everyone differently. There's never any guarantee how they're going to affect you as an individual.
So, with all these potential pitfalls, when everything is crammed together in one little pill, you have no idea what is causing what.
Your Magnesium supplement is fine because it's just magnesium. But your iron supplement is a waste of money.
Iron should be taken by itself, except for vit C, at least two hours away from everything else, because it will block the absorption of just about everything else. I cannot imagine why they put B12 and folate in with iron, but doubtful you'll absorb them. In any case, just taking two isolated B vits won't do much for you. The Bs all work together and need to be kept balanced so it's a good idea to take a good methylated B complex, with nothing else in it but B vits.
So, the best thing you can do is get your nutrients tested - vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin - and just take what you need. More is never better and can be dangerous - such as with iron and vit D.
And, to avoid them impacting your levo, most of them need to be taken at least two hours away from levo. But magnesium, iron, calcium, vit D at least four hours away. It's complicated but it can be done. 
This has been hugely helpful I can’t believe you took the time to look in so much depth. I’ve cancelled my Peri gummies subscription and am going to try and simplify everything. I have attached pics of my recent ferritin and folate levels. I also take Citalopram so am conscious of that too. Would you recommend ditching it all and just sticking to thyroxine and citalopram? Thanks so much.
Your ferritin is much too low, it would be a good idea to get a full iron panel done - maybe you could persuade your doctor to do that.
Can't see any folate result. But not much point in testing folate without B12 because the two work together.
Don't ditch the magnesium, that's fine, and you're probably deficient in magnesium. But definitely ditch the the gummies. Stop the iron until you have done further testing and then find something better if needed.
My ferritin was 18 in March it’s only 66 now because of the ferrous sulphate they put me on so that result I showed you is after 3 months on ferrous sulphate. They won’t prescribe any more as they have said I’m back to normal! So confusing- is there a supplement I can take for iron? Or is only prescribed iron strong enough? Thanks once again
There are many iron supplements - and some of the ones your GP might prescribe are over-the-counter at pharmacies. (There is inconsistency - you might see two products with the same active ingredient, one is prescription-only, the other is over-the-counter.)
And there are probably hundreds available online!
helvella - Iron Document
This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.
Last updated 04/07/2024
Ditto what greygoose is saying...
Have you actually tested your vitamin levels to see what you need to improve and by how much?
The 'menopause' supplement is just a cheap multivit in reality. You would be better off with a B complex thta has a decent amount of B12 & real methylfolate in it.
I dont see any of them have vit D in any amount?
When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins.
Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
Iodine isnt recommended at all.
Also so helpful! My folate is 16.6ug/L and my B12 is 576ng/L vit D 60.3nmol/L
Thanks for a really informative answer!
So vitamin D is on low side
Get a separate good quality vitamin D supplement
And a separate magnesium supplement
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 with Hashimoto’s, 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
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 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...
Thanks so much for all the detail. I am going to sit and make notes tomorrow. Interesting that the GP said vit D is fine but what you said makes sense- sad that they have such a low level of ‘satisfactory’ Thanks so much
NHS only tests and treats vitamin deficiencies
Down to individuals to maintain GOOD vitamin levels
Hi, I had very low vit d levels and researched a book written by Judson Sommerville, it's about taking vit d in high doses..... my happy place is around 150 nmol, using medichecks blood tests. I hope you get yourself sorted....I noticed a big difference getting my vit d right,alongside ferritin,b12 and foliate. Good luck on your thyroid journey
I’ve just purchased the Igennus B bits and vit D mouth spray to at you’ve recommended- thank you!
A separate daily vitamin B complex to maintain B12 and folate
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 5-7 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...
So so helpful thank you!
Hi there. I've just yesterday had muscle testing - biokinesiology (only yesterday). She not only tested foods, but also all the supplements I was taking. It was a great way to find out personally what I currently need or don't need. I like you was taking a lot of supplements. I now know what to focus on. I have ended up with 3 new supplements for the short term, to fix things directly linked to my body. Let me know if you want contact details 😉
I’d be interested in knowing more about the testing; can it be done long distance? Asking because I don’t live in the UK - I’m in Hawaii 🌺
Yes, I did it via video link. It's really easy. The lady I used is in Ireland. Very reasonable price too 👍
thank you - I’m in Hawaii, so I think I’ll try to find someone closer to me 🌺
Zopiclone and Thyroxine
Vitamins and other supplements
Yoghurt and thyroxine/NDT
Hashimoto's, Thyroxine and Pregnancy
