Levothyroxine and vitamin b12
Common Questions and Answers about Levothyroxine and vitamin b12
synthroid
And as mentioned above, pseudo vitamin B12 in spirulina, temph and nori can throw off blood tests results.
According to the authors, the range of “normal” B12 levels is traditionally set too low. They suggest raising the minimum from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml, since deficiencies start to appear below 550 pg/ml.
Since the threshold of “normal” is set too low by doctors, the authors suggest implementing a couple of more tests to make sure there is in fact a deficiency.
I am also getting a sex hormone profile, vitamin and mineral screen done, too, to see why I am still tired and not getting a refreshing sleep every morning I wake up.
The minerals being tested are: ferritin, magnesium and zinc. Ferritin I am aware was done very recently and was 12 (30-400) but I am with a different doctor and I think she re-ordered ferritin so as to wipe the slate clean and get a fresh set of results.
I was hypothyroid (in his opinion from interferon), but I was also low in B12 and D. I started those vitamins and levothyroxine and within a week the neuropathy (burning) symptoms went away. He attributed it to the B12 as it takes weeks/months for levothyroxine to give any noticeable symptom relief. He likes b12 and d numbers at the very upper end of labs' reference ranges. Try a daily sublingal b12, 1000 mcg and definitely at least 2000 IU D daily. See if it helps the burning.
5, then down to 1.5 in January after an increase from .125 to .15 in Levothyroxine (fasting, no meds), and my recent results are below. I had already taken my levothyroxine that day (5 hours prior to labs). I'm also on long term corticosteroids (15+ years), and birth control pills. I'm 33/Female/not pregnant.
My question is, although TSH is in normal range, I'm still experiecing many hypo symptoms - is it my thyroid, or adrenal fatique, or something entirely different?
t have pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency). I have pernicious anemia and have to self inject vitamin B12 every 2 weeks.
Also, a good multi vitamin/mineral won't hurt anything, but if she's on thyroid med (synthroid, levothyroxine, etc) make sure there's a 4 hour separation between the thyroid med and multi, since there ARE vitamins/minerals that inhibit absorption of thyroid meds.
The top three low/deficient states found with hypothyroidism are iron, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause either exaggerated or decreased reflexes. I'd recommend sublingual (under the tongue) B12.
Excerpts from Dr Mercola's article - Optimum Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism With Free T3 and Free T4 Levels...
"Once on hormone replacement, the TSH remains useful until it goes BELOW 0.4.
I read that excessive amounts of Vitamin B12 could cause heart problems. I stopped taking Vitamin B12, and the chest pains disappeared. After two weeks of no chest pains, the chest pains returned for about a week. But a doctor (not my endo) listened to my heart and determined that the renewed chest pains were probably caused by anxiety.
About a week ago, I had more blood tests, and here are the results:
FT4 = 1.53 (normal range = 0.82 - 1.77)
FT3 = 3.2 (normal range = 2.0 - 4.4)
TSH = 0.
I was in the mid stages of dementia with severe vitamin B12 deficiency. There are more than 100 conditions from vitamin deficiencies to hormone deficiencies to rare brain disorders that can mimic Alzheimer's disease.
In fact, autopsy studies of nearly 1000 dementia patients at 30 top centers supported by the National Institute on Aging found that between 17% and 30% of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease had been misdiagnosed and had other conditions!
Before further discussion, please tell us about any symptoms you had while taking the 125 mcg of Synthroid. Have you ever been tested for Free T3, Vitamin D, B12 or ferritin? If so, please post results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report. Why were you previously prescribed the 125 mcg of T4 that resulted in the high test result? Was it because of symptoms you were having?
I was in a very bad state for 5 weeks after I started thyroxine. I had to deal with the worsening of symptoms of very bad untreated adrenal insufficiency but also had a week of hyperthyroidism followed by another 4 weeks of worsening hypothyroid symptoms. I then improved without any change in dosage.
Excerpt from the book Running On Empty by Robyn Koumourou...
"It is not uncommon to start thyroid hormone therapy and find that your symptoms become worse before they get better.
When hypothyroid the patient often does not produce adequate stomach acid to absorb vitamins and nutrients well. The result is low Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin (iron). So the low vitamins/minerals don't cause the problem with taking thyroid med, the hypothyroidism causes problems absorbing enough vitamins/minerals.
Just because your thyroid test results were within their reference range doesn't mean they are optimal.
There is a lot to discuss, but first please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, from when you were initially diagnosed as hypo, and also your latest results. If tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those results as well. Of even greater importance, are symptoms. What symptoms did you have when first diagnosed? How long ago was that? What symptoms do you have now?
Many people who have Hashimoto’s/hypothyroidism are deficient in Vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D, and it’s true that iron, selenium and zinc are needed in the conversion process; however, there’s no real link between vitamin D and Vitamin B12 in the conversion process or even in how the body uses thyroid hormones. If anyone knows of studies proving otherwise, please post links…
Vitamin B12 is necessary for the manufacture of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
Elevated MCV (mean cell volume), which means enlarged blood cells, can be due to various conditions but includes vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency traps folate in an unusable form. Low or deficient folate is a common finding with B12 deficiency.
Elevated ESR is showing inflammation in the body. An elevated ESR can be due to various conditions but includes thyroid disease and anaemia.
Infection is the most common cause of an elevated WBC count.
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