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Hypothyroid, now iron and vitamin d deficient.

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Mumbolian
Mumbolian

Hi, I was diagnosed with hashimotos about 14 years ago. Have been on thyroxine since. Have often had doses changed and been told it is the nature of autoimmune diseases as have flare ups and disease in thyroid becomes more active and leads to more destruction of thyroid. Levels have also changed during pregnancies etc. never really been stable and last 6 years lots of issues with changes between hyper and hypo. Have also been treated for low ferritin over last 6 or so years with varying sucess! Recently had hysterectomy so hoping iron levels would now start to recover, but ferritin still low. Also told last week that Vit D is low and have to take high dose Vit D. I have read that these things often go hand in hand but not sure why. Have read it is to do with low stomach acid and problems with absorption, but if thyroid levels ok why would stomach acid be low. I don't know what to think anymore  and where to start to try to improve things. Have been through such a tough time with surgery few months ago and getting back to work, and now all of this. It sheds light on why still feeling so tired. But feeling tired, run down and washed out and depressed. Pains in wrists ankles knees , trying to lose some weight and get more active but hard when feeling so bad. Anyone else been in this situation who can shed any light on this or give me some hope that things will improve. My gp just treats me like I am a hypochondriac! 

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • jean34329
    jean34329 Mumbolian

    Posted

    hello Mumbolian

    I read your posting with interest. Can I ask you if you wre taking or are taking any other medications. Some meds stop the absorption of nutrients leading to deficiencies and low ferratin.

    So need to know what meds you have been or are presently takingg. Also vit d such as te PPIs and statins stop nutrients being absorbed by the stomch.

    Vitamin D deficiency can lead to other illnesses and conditions.

    deficiency can lead to all sorts of other conditions.

    Kind regards

    Jean

     

    • Mumbolian
      Mumbolian jean34329

      Posted

      Yes I am on other Meds but am aware of interactions so make sure I take them at least 4 hours after thyroxine. I always check if given anything new, so make sure no issues with taking thyroxine. Thanks for your post . Not really sure what has caused it. 
  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 Mumbolian

    Posted

    Hello Mumbolian:   I am a Nurse and live in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's also.....I was diagnosed at 27 and I now am 54.  Yes, at times as Hashimoto's progresses - you will need a higher dose.   Also Vit D and iron level can be off in people with this disease.

    You need to have a mineral panel done from time to time to make sure your potassium, sodium, and Vit D, magnesium, iron, etc...are at proper levels.  Your doctor can prescribe iron or Vit D or they may tell you to buy a certain one. 

    Now as we age, we make less of Vit D through diet and sunlight.  It can also happen in people w/ Hashimoto's. Why it it seen in Hashimoto's can have something to do with the para-thyroid tissue that is a calcium  regualtor in the body.  it also can be from aging, like I said.  perhaps you have seen an old woman bent over, that is Osetoporosis.  Good news it is easy to fix.

    It is fixable, by taking supplements.  Your GP should know this. When you have low iron you will see anemia or have tiredness and pale color to your skin. When you have low Vit D, you will see muscle cramps in legs, brittle bones, Osteoporosis, and teeth problems.   The Vitamin D is a special blood test and it takes about a week to do.

    A few things to know, keep a log of your symptoms and bring it with you to your appt. w/ doctor. Make sure your doc. orders a mineral panel and Vit D test in 6 months or so.  Ask for your lab results, and watch your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Horomone), write down questions you have and ask your GP or better and Endocrinologist.  An "Endo" is a doctor who does glands only and they are much more qualified than a GP.  You may want to ask for a referal.

    I hope this helps, Be well, God Bless, feel free to ask any questions you have.

    • Mumbolian
      Mumbolian shellyC19

      Posted

      Thanks for your post, was helpful. Have seen endo lots in past and discussed lots with him to do with thyroid. Problem is gp seems to ignore me when I say not feeling right. Now they have told me about low vit d and I have researched it, it makes sense of symptoms I am still having. I have always kept tabs on blood results as I have been very sensitive to changes in tsh and need to keep it under 1 to feel ok. Yes I had to wait a while , about 3 weeks to get results back from vit d blood test, but will ask them about checking for other minerals etc. they don't really seem very bothered I am afraid! Thanks for help. 
    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 Mumbolian

      Posted

      Hello again Mummbolian:  yes, Vit D causes nasty problems when low. See there is  a part of the body that regualtes Calcium it is called your Para-thyroid.  Many of us have it.  Some people get it who are aging as we tend to not make Vit D as much.  So get a darn good mutlivit as we also need Iron levels to be good and we need Vit K to be good.

      Can you change GP's?  You do need a doctor who listens!  It really helps.  Ask kindly, "please check my minerals on my blood - doctor. "  Some doc's do automatically.  Mine does.

      You are not alone - we have the pains and symptoms too.  Glad you posted this.  Be well XO  Shelly

  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 Mumbolian

    Posted

    You do seem to be having a rotten time at the moment. Here are my thoughts. ..

    If your ferritin is below 80 you won't be absorbing thyroxine properly. Which would explain all the under active thyroid (hypothyroidism) symptoms you are getting. Also get vitamin B12 level checked as vit B12 deficiency is common and would make you feel rough too. Have you had your adrenal glands checked? These should have been done prior to starting thyroxine, but rarely are. Look up addisons disease. Betterhealth. Vic. Gov. Au is the best explanation I've found. Addisons disease often accompanies hypothyroidism. Vit E and selenium are also necessary for the thyroid to work correctly.

    • Mumbolian
      Mumbolian barbara98940

      Posted

      I think my ferritin was 8 , was really low a few years ago and managed to get it up to 27 after 18 months of iron replacement. It is odd though, as gps say oh u r ok , not anaemic, won't get any symptoms as hb is ok, so why the need to treat low ferritin then???feel fobbed off all the time. No I don't ever remember having adrenals tested, if you suggest anything they seem to look at you as if you are mad! Will push though, and see what response I get. Often think I know more about thyroid than they do. Sure I am not the only one who feels like this! 
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 Mumbolian

      Posted

      I'm going to see my GP tomorrow and have printed off a copy of the article by Michael Schachter titled 'Integrated Medicine: the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism' to give to him. Which is well worth a read. Best explanation that I've found so far of hypothyroidism, its treatment, adrenal glands etc. and how they are all interrelated.
  • suzanne00
    suzanne00 Mumbolian

    Posted

    Hi--Low vit. D levels are very common unless people are getting lots are regular sun (hard in northern latitudes, wearing clothes, working, and avoiding the sun because of warnings of skin cancer). Vitamin D and magnesium are two of the most commonly found deficiencies related to not feeling well. Vitamin D is so important! It's connected with over 250 epigenetically controlled switches in the body and a lot goes wrong if we are deficient, including depression, fatigue, autoimmune disorders and cancer increasing in frequency (important for immune function), and lots else. Levels may be higher than commonly believed for optimal functioning, according to research in this area. Also related to adequate levels of nutrients is health of our internal microbiome--so eating healthfully, with limited processed foods (likely including limited grains and maybe dairy, depending on a trial for you), lots of veggies, some fruit, healthy proteins, and healthy fats, and some fermented foods for the good bacteria may be very important. For many people, it is hard to get adequate nutrients with today's depleted soils and long period of time from fields to plates. Have you checked out the diets online specifically for autoimmune disorders? All my best to you!  --Suzanne
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