I have been feeling unwell with pins and needles in head face hands wrists and tops of feet since 2022. Also other random symptoms that made me think auto immune issues. Gp has done various tests that checked inflammatory markers and ruled out coeliac. Nevertheless i went gluten free as it seemed to improve things a little. My latest test results are below, I wondered if you could offer advice as to what i should ask in my upcoming telephone appointment to discuss the results.
Also, should I start other vitamins besides Vitamin D ?
Test results from 18.10.24.Gp has marked them as suggesting subclinical hypothyroidism. It looks like I definitely have some vitamin deficiencies. Dr did send message to say start vitamin D.
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
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 and may need separate methyl folate couple times a week
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
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
Thank you. I am not vegetarian or vegan. I gave up gluten about a year ago and suspect this affects vitamin b in diet. My b12 level was at low end of the range when I first had pins and needles but gp said it was fine so I did not realise it needed to go up.P.s. I try to eat a healthy diet that has variety and lots of fruit and vegetables and meat and fish and dairy. I avoid ultra processed. So I think I am not absorbing well as you say.
Welcome to the group and thank you for completing your profile.
Your thyroid results do show subclinical hypothyroidism with raised TSH and in range FT4. This can result in quite some symptoms although doctors dont often acknowledge this.
Would recommend retesting in 3-4 months. You can be diagnosed and begin treatment following 2 raised TSH levels 3 months apart on the NHS.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting & 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.
Low thyroid hormone levels cause low stomach acid which mean we dont absorb vitamins well from food. This would explain your low vitamin results.
Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. Most people need a minimum of 3,000iu per day.grassrootshealth.net/projec...
Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc
B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...
If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.
If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.
It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
If taking any iron supplements stop 5-7 days before testing
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
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**normal, no action?? 😧
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