We found that patients with hypothyroidism had lower vitamin B12 levels than healthy participants (MD: −60.67 pg/mL; 95% CI: −107.31 to −14.03 pg/mL; p = 0.01).
The prevalence of vitamin B-12 deficiency in hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease are reflective of the nutrition status of the population. Autoimmune thyroid disease is also associated with the autoimmune disorders pernicious anemia and atrophic gastritis which may lead to malabsorption of vitamin B-12.
Not all people with a thyroid condition will need to take supplemental B12. However, if you have autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto's disease (the most common cause of hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid), you may have more difficulty absorbing B12 in your gut.
Tamer et al. reported that 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency (<30 ng/ml) was more prevalent in people with HT than in controls. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be more common in patients with overt hypothyroidism (47/50, 94%) or subclinical hypothyroidism (44/45, 98%) than in those with euthyroidism (57/66, 86%) [48].
Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach. An autoimmune condition means your immune system (the body's natural defence system that protects against illness and infection) attacks your body's healthy cells.
Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.
Inadequate dietary intake
A balanced diet typically provides sufficient vitamin B12; however, strict vegans and people with a poor diet are at higher risk of developing a deficiency. Good sources of vitamin B12 include: Meat. Fish.
One of two mechanisms may explain the low levels of vitamin D in patients with hypothyroidism. First, the low levels of vitamin D may be due to poor absorption of vitamin D from the intestine. Second, the body may not activate vitamin D properly.
Iodine Is Needed to Make Thyroid Hormone
You need an adequate supply of iodine to make thyroid hormone. The recommended minimum iodine intake for most adults is 150 micrograms a day, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroid myopathy? The most common symptoms include weakness around the hips and sometimes the shoulders, and a slowing of reflexes. Some people also experience muscle stiffness and painful muscle cramps. LIfe-threatening cases can cause rhabdomyolysis (acute muscle breakdown).
Research shows that there is a high prevalence -- approximately 40% -- of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid and Hashimoto's patients. This prevalence may be due to the high association between anemia and hypothyroidism.
Conclusions: There is a high (approx 40%) prevalence of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Traditional symptoms are not a good guide to determining presence of B12 deficiency. Screening for vitamin B12 levels should be undertaken in all hypothyroid patients, irrespective of their thyroid antibody status.
Stage 1 is decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. Stage 2 is low concentration of vitamin B12 in the cell and metabolic abnormalities. Stage 3 is increased levels of homocysteine and MMA and decreased DNA synthesis resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. Stage 4 is macrocytic anemia.
Fruits: Apples, Pears and Citrus
Apples, pears, plums and citrus fruits are abundant with pectins, which help with detoxifying the body of mercury – one of the most critical metals that have been connected to thyroid problems.
Patients with hypothyroidism had lower levels of vitamin B12 when compared with healthy participants (MD: -60.67 pg/mL; 95% CI: -107.31 to -14.03 pg/mL; P = 0.01).
Multivitamins. Like hormones, minerals like iron and calcium can bind to thyroid hormone and inhibit absorption. A good rule of thumb: “Take your thyroid hormone first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and take multivitamins and other supplements at lunch, at least 4 hours later,” suggests Levy.
How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
People at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency are those who either don't consume foods that contain this nutrient or who cannot absorb the nutrient from the foods they eat because of a medical condition, interactions with medications or another reason.
[1] People who regularly take medications that suppress stomach acid for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease—such as proton-pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or other antacids—may have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food.
Regular moderate exercise training decreased plasma folate and increased plasma vitamin B12 levels. However, no significant changes in plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were observed by increasing duration of acute aerobic exercise.
If a healthy diet is followed, an insufficient supply of vitamin B12 is rare in healthy adults, but an insufficient supply can occur with persistent stress due to the fact that the usual diet no longer supplies enough.