Knee and nails

[Apodemus]

I have Graves with TED, on Carbmizole but developed a really painful knee and my nails are rubbish. Should I take magnesium and calcium (already on Selenium, bit D and B12)

[greygoose]

If you are taking vit D you should be taking magnesium anyway because the two work together.

Calcium is another matter entirely. You should never take that unless testing shows you are deficient. Calcium supplements are very difficult to absorb - it's like swallowing rocks! But, taking vit D should increase your absorption of calcium from food. So, you should also be taking vit K2-MK7 to make sure that extra calcium goes into the bones and teeth and doesn't buidl up in the soft tissues and arteries.

Just taking one isolated B vit is not going to help much, either. The Bs all work together and need to be kept balanced. So, you'd probably be better off with a B complex containing methylcobalamin (the best absorbed form of B12) and methylfolate. Thorne Basic B is a good one.

Have you had your painful knee examined to find out why it's hurting? So many things can go wrong with knees and it might not be anything to do with nutrition. But, Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate might help if it's a cartilage problem (as it often is). They are thought to slow cartilage degradation, stimulate the growth of new cartilage, and reduce inflammation.

[Apodemus in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much. I will talk to the GP and look for your suggestions.

[greygoose in reply to Apodemus]

You're welcome.

[pennyannie]

Hello again ;

Have your received your TRab results and range from the endocrinologist now ?

[Apodemus in reply to pennyannie]

No not yet, see him on weds. I'll post for comment.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Definitely get your knee checked out, as it may be something unrelated. Do elevate your leg and use ice on it for 10 minutes to reduce any pain/ swelling. I take a daily turmeric supplement alongside glucosamine and have found this helps reduce inflammation/ joint pain.

Even with optimal thyroid levels & key vitamins, my nails peel and split easily, so I can sympathise there!

[Apodemus in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks, ran into an old friend who recommended fresh ginger, tumeric, orange juice and black pepper shot! It's actuslly quite nice

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Apodemus]

black peppper and ginger both help the absorption of turmeric!

[Apodemus in reply to Buddy195]

Ahhh!! That explains it!