I have a terrible immune system currently along with hair loss and a multitude of the usual symptoms that come with being low on zinc. The problem is that I'm currently on 125mg of zinc a day and my test results are still only 10.3 so what's technically in the normal range but only just (10 being considered low). Above is my TSH Level.
I've been pushing to be referred to the endocrinologist but keep getting fobbed off. Any thoughts or suggestions most welcome.
Welcome to the forum
So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg when you were diagnosed, ongoing symptoms (in addition to the hair loss you mention), current medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:
FT3
FT4
(in addition to TSH provided)
Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)
If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:
thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
You may find this post useful on low zinc:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Has copper been tested as well as zinc?
What other supplements (if any) are you taking?
Thanks Buddy,
I have Hypothyroidism. I was put on levotyroxine in 2020. I am currently on a dosage of 162.50mg per day.
My other symptoms are dry skin, rashy blobs, it takes a long time for wounds to heal, I almost always have a cold and it takes forever to recover from those colds and general fatigue.
I don't have any other test results. I can't see any past results for FT3. FT4 hasn't been tested since 2023. So think I will get those done privately.
Vitamin D (59.5 deemed normal)
B12 (695 deemed normal)
I haven't been tested for anything else. It's come to my attention that copper, selenium and Iodine are important and I should get those tested.
The only other supplement I currently take it vitamin D.
I would definitely look to test FT3 and FT4 alongside TSH, plus antibodies (if you’ve not had these tested previously) and other key thyroid vitamins.
Forum advice re thyroid blood tests, is to complete early morning blood draw (ie before 9am), drink nothing but water prior to draw, take daily Levo after the draw and avoid all supplements with biotin 5-7 days before the test. For private tests, complete and post early in the week- to avoid postal delays.
Iodine is not generally recommended for hypothyroidism. I certainly avoid additional iodine in my diet.
Caution is also required with selenium (ie not taking supplements above 100ug daily unless you have active thyroid eye disease, when 200ug recommended for 6 months)
Just a tip…if you’ve want to reply click on the blue reply button (otherwise members may not be alerted)
Keep posting& asking questions- we are a friendly & supportive group & are here to help 🦋
Thanks Buddy your advise has been really appreciated.
I managed to turn my own health around by following advice from knowledgeable forum members. SlowDragon has great links/ advice on vitamins, so look out for these.
Vitamin D (59.5 deemed normal)
Might be normal, but it’s not optimal
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
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
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Post all about what time of day to test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)
monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
Randox FULL thyroid test including both thyroid antibodies just £31
Test at home or in clinic
Also available via Amazon
randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...
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
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)
After a year or more of trying to raise my zinc levels using the maximum dose of prescribed zinc supplements from the GP. He deigned to tell me that wholegrains block the absorption of zinc! This only happens if the zinc supplement is taken with a meal containing wholegrains so I now take my supplements after meals devoid of them or after eating some fruit etc between meals. My levels are now much better. Hope this helps.
my zinc has been below range and then on fairly hefty 50mg zinc byglycinate supplements for 3 months and it just crept into range. GP was happy with that and I now take daily zinc biglycinate 25mcg but should really test again soon. Never had copper tested but GP said pointless as clearly imbalanced with zinc so low. I think this explains some of my digestive concerns.
Have you looked at selenium? Mine was over range with no symptoms after 12 months of supplements. I’ve stopped taking that. Just munch occasional Brazil nuts hoping some of them will be grown in selenium rich soils 🙄.
My hair stopped falling out after I followed SlowDragon advice to the letter 👏
You can test copper, zinc and selenium here
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Something I need to do soon as well
Ah perfect timing, I’ll bookmark that and do those before I see GP/endo in March. Time to save up. Much appreciated 🌱
Fermented or chelated zinc supplements may be absorbed better.
Brilliant. I'll have a hunt for these because my body just does not seem to be absorbing the current type.
Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions 🥰 I'm so glad I found this forum.
Endocrinology are unlikely to test zinc for you. I asked for folate and ferritin to be tested as not tested for a year and a half when Endo's registrar tested at my request. The Endo said folate and ferritin nothing to do with my thyroid and I'd had them tested a year and a half ago, and to ask my G.P. He said the NHS can't test everything, you know!
Likely not many G.P.s will test zinc for you either. Regenallotment has been fortunate to have a G.P. who has tested zinc and selenium for her, as I don't think many will .
Endo also not interested in what has caused, or is causing the thyroid problem and making any attempt to consider cause or optimise treatment . The need for thyroid hormone or not seems all they are interested in. No interest or knowledge of treating cause or vits and minerals. It is a tick box exercise , that you have been seen. Wait to be seen was over a year. Review of 10 mins duration, a year and a half later.
I suspect haematology may be who might have your zinc problem in their area of expertise, but also suspect you would have little chance of a referral or of having it accepted by them , even if referred.
You are likely to get far more help from the forum than the NHS re. your question.
Edit; You really need to know where your copper levels are too, as copper and zinc are on a see-saw. If copper high , zinc will be low. Perhaps you have a copper problem which needs investigating?
Old water pipes contain copper which can cause raised copper and therefore depleted zinc. If your test results show high copper and you don't know of any other reason for this it might be worth checking the pipes.
Hypothyroidic and on a low carb diet 
Does everyone have low albumin levels?
Low Zinc
Which is best, zinc ororate or Zinc-bisglycinate (Zinc Chelate). 
Vitamin B12 & Thorne Research B Complex help!
