Thyroid disease and low vitamin D

[Lynnester]

Any guidance on where vitamin d levels should be when having hashimoto's? I've been taking 2,000 iu's per day of
Vitamin D daily for over 4 years and my vitamin D still remains in the low normal range of 33. Where should it be for us thyroid sufferers? Could this low level make my fatigue worse?

[jacrjacr]

when mine was that low, my doctor had me on 5000mg daily of d3 until it got above 50 and lowered it when it got above 80. My present dr shoots for around 50

[Barb135]

Ah, just curious about the need for a rheumy.   Have you looked into Prolia?  It's another drug, used to rebuild bone and it's not in the bisphosphonate class, though it does come with its own set of equally horrible side effects.  It's given by injection twice/yr.

With low vitamin D levels 4000 IU would probably still be okay, until your levels come up.  Talk to your doctor.

[Lynnester]

My PCP referred me to the rheumatologist to manage the osteopenia/borderline osteoporosis since I can't take the Bonita or Fosamax.

I actually have been taking 2000 iu's of vitamin D. If I doubled it would make it 4000 iu's per day.

[Barb135]

Just wondered about RA, because most people don't see a rheumy unless they have RA or lupus, etc.

How long have been on the increased dose of T4 - 3 days/week?  It takes a while for any dosage change to take effect and it's not unusual for symptoms to worsen or new ones to appear when changing med or dosage.  It also take several weeks for a dosage change to take effect.  

You're right - many endos specialize in diabetes and are not thyroid savvy; that's we have so many people seeking out forums like this to get help.

At any rate, increasing your dosage to 2000 isn't going to hurt... That's a standard recommendation by many doctors, but yes, do talk to your pcp.

[texas_grandma]

My doctor also prefers to see levels between 50-80...mine was 15, so I'm taking a weekly 50,000u dose.

I would definitely double up on the dose. Get your levels where they should be, and see if that made any difference in your fatigue.

If your b12 levels are below about 550, supplement that too.

Good luck :)

[Lynnester]

I do not have RA.
I do notice this new regiment of the increase of T4 3 days a week(88mg) makes me feel a little jittery the following day. I am that sensitive to medications! I may drop back my 5 mcg cytomel to 2.5 to see if that makes a difference.
I will talk to my PCP about it as the endo really had no clue when I even asked if I should be increasing my Vit D due to 2,000 IU's daily and still barely keeping my levels at 33. This is my 2nd endo too! I don't get it. They really know about diabetes which I don't have but can be pretty clueless
about thyroid diseases.  Frustrating!!

Thanks!

[Barb135]

Do you also have RA?

Actually, you should be thankful you can't take Boniva and Fosamax... they come with their own sets of problems and personally, I'd rather take my chances with osteoporosis.

I started peri-menopause in my late 30's; ended up getting tossed right through menopause at age 46 via hysterectomy.  My first bone density showed less bone than I should have had for my age, the second one showed even more of a decrease/osteopenia.  I was put on a regimen of 1200 mg Ca, and was told to take magnesium with it, but given no dosage info, etc.  I started making sure I got plenty of exercise.  My third bone density showed that I'd rebuilt a good share of the lost bone.  Following my own research, I learned that both magnesium and vitamin D are necessary for proper absorption of calcium.

I take 1200 mg calcium, approx 400 mg magnesium and 2000 IU vitamin D.  Check with you doctor about dosages, but don't expect them to really know. LOL

Magnesium can also help with muscle/joint aches/pains, as well as a whole host of other symptoms.  

Be sure to separate vitamin/mineral intake from thyroid hormones by, at least, 4 hours.  

While vitamin B12 isn't related to thyroid function, deficiency can cause horrible fatigue, which is also a prime symptom of hypo.

[Lynnester]

I see a rheumatologist yearly and have bone density scans every other year. I am at the line with one hip for osteoporosis. Other hip and spine are in the yellow zone for osteopenia. I am allergic to Bonita and Fosamax so for now trying exercise, calcium, vitamin D to combat it. My mom has it and I've been menopausal for 10 years now at the age of 43.

I don't take magnesium. Should I be and what would be a good starting dose?

[Barb135]

"Why don't endo's see the importance of a mid range Vitamin D level?"  Because they've been trained to believe that anything "in range" is good enough.   I'd probably go ahead and double the dosage to see if it helps.

Do you have osteopenia and are borderline osteoporosis, or are you borderline osteopenia?  Lost bone can be rebuilt; I did it.  Are you also supplementing calcium and magnesium, with the vitamin D?

While I still have osteopenia, I have managed to stave off osteoporosis for the past 10 yrs via a regimen of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D supplementation, as well as plenty of exercise, mainly yoga and walking.  Because my TSH has been suppressed for so long, my endo insists that I have a bone density test (DEXA) every 2 yrs.

[Lynnester]

I have not had my B12 levels checked in a long time. I have my next scheduled bloodwork in about 4 weeks so I'll ask them to add it in. I called my endo's office and the nurse said the dr is not too concerned about the lower Vitamin D level but if I'd like to double my daily dose to 4,000 IU's daily its ok to do that and we'll retest with my next test.

Why don't endo's see the importance of a mid range Vitamin D level? I also am borderline osteopenia/osteoporosis. Like right at that line. Frustrating!!!

[Barb135]

It's usually recommended that vitamin D levels should be between 50-80 IU.

Low vitamin D can cause a lot of hypothyroid like symptoms, with fatigue being one of those.  

Perhaps you should talk to your doctor about taking a higher dose, in order to get your levels up, then cut back to the 2000 IU for maintenance.  If your levels drop too low again, you'll know that you have to keep your supplement at a higher dosage.

What are your vitamin B12 levels?