Any thoughts on latest bloods gratefully received!

[Wild-Bird]

Thank you so much to those on this Forum who give so freely of their time to help fellow thyroid sufferers! I have learned a lot since my diagnosis of hypothyroidism last year.

Unlike many, I have a helpful and approachable GP, but I thought it would be a good idea to do a full thyroid assessment to get the complete picture. He is doing lots of investigations at the moment, I think with multiple myeloma in mind, which is scary.

I take 100mcg levothyroxine which has always been Almus. I followed the test advice I have picked up from the Forum. I’m not taking any supplements at the moment, but I can see I could benefit from Vitamin D - is there a particular type and dose recommended?

I’m on a totally gluten free diet and am thinking about giving up dairy, and perhaps trying the autoimmune protocol as I have Hughes Syndrome (since 1995) as well as hypothyroidism. My GP thinks the thyroid problem isn’t auto immune, I think these results suggest otherwise? I also have CKD 2. Definitely feeling I’m dropping to bits…

I still have some hypo type symptoms - a low mood from time to time, dry skin, flaky nails, thin hair, but generally don’t feel too bad, just a bit below par.

I walk about 5 miles a day, cold water swim - and have just taken up yoga, which I’m finding much more challenging than I was expecting! I’d also welcome your thoughts on this level of exercise!

Thanks so much for any thoughts?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

can you attach image in a reply as it will be clearer

[Wild-Bird]

I hope this is clearer?

Another image of test results - thank you, SlowDragon…

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wild-Bird]

Yes much clearer

[SlowDragon Administrator]

vitamin D needs improving

Also folate

My GP thinks the thyroid problem isn’t auto immune, I think these results suggest otherwise?

Yes your high TPO antibodies confirms autoimmune

Definitely worth trying dairy free.

Look at lactose free Levo too - Vencamil works best for many members

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low vitamin D

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 -125nmol 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

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...

Retest thyroid and vitamins in 2-3 months

[Wild-Bird in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much, SlowDragon - that’s such a helpful and thorough response to my post. Quite a lot to digest there!