Iron supplementation

[Justine_Case]

Hi

I have Hashimoto's - as yet untreated due to fluctuating TSH levels.

My symptoms are numerous, and due to low levels of B12 and vitamin D, I am supplementing those.

I am gluten Soy and Dairy free.

My ferritin has been historically low and the GPs have frequently me prescribed Ferrous Fumarate.

For the last couple of years I have been taking one of these a day - and checking via private iron panel tests.

Due to my recent symptoms including more breathlessness and paleness, I took another iron panel test.

Results are:

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) 3 mg/L (0 - 5) 

Iron 13.94 nmol/L (9 - 30) 

Ferritin 92.693 ug/L (20 - 200) 

Tibc 45.48 42.96-80.55 umol/L

So now I am not sure if I should continue supplementing?

I can see I have some inflammation, plus my Ferritin values are better than my Iron.

Does anyone know how to interpret this, and suggestions on how to go forward?

Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

improving low B vitamins can also help

What were last B12 and folate results

Are you just taking B12

Recommended to be taking a daily vitamin B complex as well

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...

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...

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

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 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

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your iron is still low so you can continue supplementing

Retest again in another 2-4 months

Look at increasing iron rich foods in your diet

What are your most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on gluten free and/or dairy free diet

[Justine_Case in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi yes I am gluten/dairy and soy free.

My latest - April 24 thyroid results -

TSH 3.090 mIU/L (0.35 - 5.5) 

Free T4 (fT4) 16.00 pmol/L (11.9 - 21.6) 

Free T3 (fT3) 5.00 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 

My T4 and T3 had risen considerably since I started self injecting B12 at Christmas (pernicious anemia extensively in my family, plus I have gastritis)

GP hopeless and said she wouldnt help due to my B12 levels being in range - at that point I had been taking B12 supplements for over 2 years!

Gave up trying to reason 'maybe I had an absorption issue' what with the gastritis plus Hashimotos, and the only reason my levels were ok was due to my supplementing.

So I started self injecting at Christmas.

I have seen some definite improvements, but my iron seems to be worse.

Would the B12 injections have helped raise my T3 and T4 or is that not relevant?

Regarding other vitamins I take a Thorne B complex 3 times a week (includes folate)

Plus vitamin D3/K2 spray 3 times a week - I do monitor levels.

My last Folate test was - Serum folate level 17.7 ug/L [3.1 - 19.9] so fine I think.

I am not vegan or vegetarian, and have a healthy diet - albeit boring without dairy gluten and soy!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Justine_Case]

Would the B12 injections have helped raise my T3 and T4 or is that not relevant?

Quite possibly…..yes

[csj113]

I would mention breathlessness to your GP as there may be other causes.

[Justine_Case in reply to csj113]

Hi I did mention it, and they sent me for a chest xray which was clear, and a full blood count, which produced 'low but in range' Total White Blood Count and Platelets, plus 'highish but in Range' MCV and MCH.

All considered normal obviously.

I do wonder if my having the B12 injections has caused a drop in iron?

As I said before, I am seeing the benefits from the injections I never got with the B12 supplements, but in other regards I feel worse.