finally had another follow up scan for my lung issue . Though not fully recovered, my Atelactasis has reversed/ cleared up. So that is great news. Have lost some weight so BP is improved 132/83. Funnily enough got a call today from my GP surgery ( Gp assistant) about not having been prescribed any statins recently, and told them i am not taking them. Told them it was a hard sell, by the GP at the time to take them, gave my reasons for not having them, and the possible health negatives. Being Hypothyroid etc. This was accepted. Said i would do a Cholesterol test again in about 3 months. I feel i could do with something to help cholesterol on the EPA/ DHA front. As i had done a very recent private test but have seen very little change 6.4 in overall cholesterol levels. ( Didnt mention this in my call today) I may have messed up somewhat, and not helped myself by having my thyroxine, a few hours before i did my blood sample for the test. I need to tweek my diet further, and hopefully get more exercise ( walking) now the weather is improving. I gather omega 3 can help but its which brand and getting the right balance. I believe the EPA levels are the one to focus on. Any thoughts on this Please.
levothyroxine & statins : finally had another... - Thyroid UK
levothyroxine & statins
what are your most recent TSH, Ft4 and most important Ft3 results
Plus vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels
TSH =1.75. T4 =20.5. T3= 4.1. Vit D = 46. Total cholesterol =6.4 . Diabetes HbA1c =38 . All results 2 days ago. Didnt test for a anything else.
Vitamin D is presumably 46nmol as you are in U.K.
how much vitamin D have you been taking daily
Aim to maintain vitamin D at minimum of 80nmol
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...
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...
Vitamin K2 mk7
what’s the range on Ft4 and Ft3
Was test 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)
How much levothyroxine are you taking
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
ESSENTIAL to test folate, B12 and ferritin
Test here
monitormyhealth.org.uk/anae...
test was at lunchtime. 100mg taken daily. Brands alternate depending what my local pharmacy has. Generally its Accord. I havent had tested the others tested since 06 /09/24. B12 =327ng/l. Folate =11.2ug/l. Ferritin = 138 ug/l
B12 and Folate were low
Suggest you retest
TSH would be higher at 8-9am
Was last dose Levo 24 hours before test
No i had the Levo a few hours before.
Tested at lunchtime and Levo 5-6 hours before test
TSH =1.75
TSH would have been at least over 2 if tested at 8-9am
Possibly nearer 3
T4 =20.5
Ft4 would have been significantly lower if last dose Levo 24 hours before
Probably below 18 ……possibly lower
T3= 4.1
Need ranges on Ft3
Result below 5.5 is likely low
work on improving low vitamin levels for 2-3 months
Then retest thyroid levels correctly
Suggest you also retest vitamin levels
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
B12 =327ng/l.
Folate =11.2ug/l
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
Highly effective B12 drops
natureprovides.com/products...
Or
B12 sublingual lozenges
uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
In-depth article on different forms of B12
perniciousanemia.org/b12/fo...
B12 range in U.K. is too wide
Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
perniciousanemia.org/b12/le...
And why aiming to keep B12 over 500 recommended
perniciousanemia.org/b12/le...
Great reply by @humanbean on B12 here
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Low folate
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
healthline.com/nutrition/fo...
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 and may need 2 per day and/or may need separate methyl folate couple times a week
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 3-5 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) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70
Statins 
Under active thyroid & taking statins
Statins
Statins
