Hello 👋 I recently had bloods done at GP (10/12/24) and am doing a medichecks next week.
They are a bit all over the place and I'm feeling rotten. I am in a mess and overwhelmed but trying to tackle one thing at a time and have started with B12. I been deficient for several years and taken tablets that have never done much to improve my level. I saw a recommendation here for sublingual "Nature Provides 3000mcg bioactive B12" and have been taking for 3 weeks. After a couple of weeks, I had more energy but for the past 5 days feel very nauseous after eating, so am eating small amounts of bland food, rice, bananas etc. Is this normal? I have also felt very depressed, anxious and had suicidal thoughts last week, but this has now passed. I read on PA forum to stick it out, and it will get better, is this the best method? I have halved my dose of B12 and will be testing again next week. I'm feeling disappointed that I am having these side effects.
As you can see below folate is on the low side and ferritin is over range (this has happened since menopause 2 years ago). I didn't have vit D tested through GP, but suspect this will also be low as historically it has been (64.5 (50 - 250) on 12/08/2024)
My T3 is slightly over range, I take 43.75mcg Tiromel. The result of 6.6 was after reducing from 50mcg and waiting 6 weeks, (it was 6.7 at 50mcg) to be honest, I was surprised it hadn't gone down more and GP wants me to reduce further, but I feel that I want to try and get my vitamins optimal before reducing.
I currently take 140mcg thyroxine and 43.75 tiromel.
B12 - 353 (190 - 883)
Serum Folate - 4.6 (3.1 - 20.5)
Ferritin - 251 (15.0 - 200.00)
TSH - 0.008 (0.35 - 4.94)
Free T4 - 16.6 (9.0 - 19.0)
Free T3 - 6.6 (2.5 - 6.0)
I have Hashimoto's as tests have shown antibodies. Any advice would be so so welcome. Many thanks 😊
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bunnycalledpedro
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Two things often mentioned regarding B12 are folate and potassium.
Potassium can drop a bit when commencing B12 treatment but that ius usually in the context of injections.
All that would usually be required is to ensure you are consuming a decent amount of foods which are relatively high in potassium.
You might find that you need to address folate as well. How about trying a methylfolate product? Again, you probably don't need a vast amount, but if you do not take any, your levels might drop.
Hi Helvella, thank you so much for your reply. Is it ok to start the folate before I've seen a rise in b12? I guess if the folate may be dropping, it might be a good idea. Can you recommend a methylfolate product? Or dosage? Also, do I need to stop the b12 before the blood draw? Is doesn't contain biotin, just methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin and reverse osmosis water,
The issue with folate is treating that but NOT B12 is believed possibly to precipitate Subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord (SACD). Also, folate can correct the macrocytosis that is a key symptom of B12 deficiency - but not all the other issues inadequate B12 can cause.
If you are treating with B12, and your levels are going up, then it is not just OK, but likely a good idea to take folate as well.
I'd not recommend any specific methylfolate product because I do not take it. (I've been thinking about doing so but have not made up my mind.)
Maybe some other members have experience and could make some suggestions.
Thank you so much, I didn't realise how interrelated they were, I thought it best to treat one at a time, how wrong am I! I'll order some methylfolate and research doses and start off gradually. And get eating more potassium rich foods and hopefully the nausea will subside in time. I can't thank you enough ☺️
I saw a recommendation here for sublingual "Nature Provides 3000mcg bioactive B12" and have been taking for 3 weeks.
yes many of us find this excellent
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
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 2 per day and/or 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 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70
I currently take 140mcg thyroxine and 43.75 tiromel.
Was test done as recommended …..early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test
Are you on strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet
which brand of levothyroxine are you taking
Do you always get same brand at each prescription
If on dairy free diet ideally you need lactose free levothyroxine and T3
Hi SlowDragon and thank you for your detailed response. I will go through all the information and links you have sent thoroughly and source the supplements. I am going to do the medichecks finger prick test next week to see how my B12 level is doing and I will also get my vitamin D level result. I am not currently supplementing vitamin D, that is next on my list once I have the result. I have previously used a vitamin a D K2 spray, but didn't add in magnesium. My most recent results were through the GP and they did everything but vitamin D!
I adhered to all the rules re timings before the blood draw.
I am strictly gluten, but not dairy, free and have a healthy varied diet that includes meat and fish. I have consistently taken Accord levothyroxine for around the last 7 years, so good or bad I have nothing to compare it to!
So many thanks, I'm feeling more positive already after all this advice ☺️
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vitamin results help and advice please
Update doctor appointment
B12 and Ferritin 
