Vit B and biotin : Hi all, can anyone clarify. I... - Thyroid UK

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Vit B and biotin

Salkas profile image
9 Replies

Hi all, can anyone clarify. I know biotin affects blood results for thyroid tests. Can I take Vit b supplements containing biotin during taking levothyroxine?

Do i need to take biotin?

What B vitamins are most important to take?

Can anyone recommend a good brand with no fillers or crap in them?

Thanks

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Salkas
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Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Forum advice is to stop supplements with biotin 5-7 days prior to blood draw.

I like to take B vitamins in a morning, at least 2 hours away from levothyroxine

This post byRegenallotment is useful when comparing B vitamins.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Personally, I’ve had good results with both Thorne Basic B and Ingennus Super B. Advantage of the latter is the tablets are smaller.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

It is very difficult to answer part of that. All vitamins are essential. What you need to take are the ones you are not getting in sufficient amounts from your diet.

At the same time, it can be important not take too much of some of them. Like B6. And to take appropriate forms, vitamers, of them.

helvella - Biotin supplementation and testing

A short article about how and why biotin can affect blood tests. Includes information about how to avoid any problems and how much biotin some foods contain.

Last updated 03/01/2025.

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

helvella - Vitamers of Vitamin B6

Some time ago, I mentioned that the form in which we take vitamin B6 is important. I think I linked to this paper below.

Last updated 20/07/2024[

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

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador

What are your most recent B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D results

Test these at least annually

And always test BEFORE starting on any supplements

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toSlowDragon

I've not had any yet. I've been taking vit D for a while. Didn't think too much Vit D could be any issue?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador in reply toSalkas

Vitamin D is not water soluble so yes too much can be an issue

Test vitamin D twice a year when supplementing

And if you don’t know your levels how would you know if you are taking high enough dose

How much vitamin D are you taking

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 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

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

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

panmerseyapc.nhs.uk/media/2...

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...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador in reply toSalkas

Strongly recommend you get folate, ferritin and B12 and vitamin D tested now

BEFORE starting any B vitamins

Salkas profile image
Salkas in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks for advise. I'll get these tested will stop vit D and test in a couple of weeks so I know what's what. Thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAmbassador in reply toSalkas

You don’t need to stop vitamin D until day before test

greygoose profile image
greygoose

The iimportant thing with B vits is that they all work together and need to be kept balanced. Which is why we recommend taking a B complex.

As to the 'no fillers or crap in them', a pill has to have fillers to hold it together. Otherwise it's a powder.

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