Vitamins

[Gertrude7]

Hello everyone. I wonder could someone advise about vitamins. I was diagnosed years ago with underactive thyroid and have recently managed to persuade my GP to increase thyroxine dose to 100mg. I currently don't take any vitamins and wonder what should I be taking and whether anyone could recommend a multivitamin . I have done some research on line and found that apparently Biotin can affect test results, this seems to be in all multivitamins. Also someone recommended taking 200mg selenium for under active thyroid. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thank you 😀.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Always test first

You need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested

Request GP do so

Or test privately

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

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Monitor My Health also now 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/getting-a-dia...

[Gertrude7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply. I do always request 8.30-9am blood test and 24 hrs since last dose of levothyroxine. I do usually have a cup of tea though, I note you say only water so I'll do that from now on. Thanks for the links, I'll take a look .

[Hollins]

Hi Gertrude 7

I recently discovered that selenium is as essential as iodine for the body to make thyroxine.

It's in bread, meat, eggs, fish, nuts. Don't know if selenium absorption is affected by thyroid disease

Someone else might.

[Gertrude7 in reply to Hollins]

Thanks for your reply Hollins. Helvella has replied on the subject of Selenium too, very interesting. Thanks again .

[SlowDragon Administrator]

multivitamins never recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Gertrude7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon for the links. I've taken a quick look and the penny has now dropped re multivitamins 😀. Plenty of reading matter for later.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Selenium is a vital element.

However, the dose is important. We probably need around 70 micrograms a day. (Note: micrograms - mcg, not milligrams - mg.)

200 micrograms is likely fine for a while, but in the longer term, I'd choose to keep to 100. Excess selenium is toxic.

Have a look at my document about selenium: helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Biotin can affect blood test results. But ordinary dietary intake of biotin does not affect results. Low doses of biotin common in many combination products likely have little impact and even that can be be avoided by not taking for a couple of days. It is high doses of biotin that have been seen to have significant effects on tests - and could need a few days off before a test.

[Gertrude7 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for your information and advice. My daughter (has Hashimotos) has been taking Selenium 200mcg for a few months now and says she feels much better but I will show her a copy of your reply. I'll take a look at the link you sent.The info on Biotin has put my mind at rest. Trying to understand underactive thyroid condition is a constant learning curve 😀.

Again, many thanks to all who have replied to my post, its much appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I've found some results from 12 months ago with

Ferritin - 57 ug/L (15-300);

Folate - 11.2 ug/L (>3.0);

vitamin B12 - 237 ng/L (150-900).

All these are "Normal" result. I have to admit I don't understand these.

Looking at previous post with results from year ago

You need to retest these and test vitamin D

They are classed normal as within range

But are all low ……typical when on inadequate dose levothyroxine

have recently managed to persuade my GP to increase thyroxine dose to 100mg.

well done

Get full thyroid and vitamin testing 8-10 weeks later

On levothyroxine we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels

Down to you to self supplement to maintain

Usually that’s daily vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin B complex

Often initially separate B12 as well

And full iron panel test before considering starting any iron supplements

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and 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

B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

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...

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

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

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 currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Other options

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

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 until high enough

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...