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Do you have nocturnal calf cramps?
I saw the nurse practitioner at the doctor's office yesterday. She added the following tests to the lab req for early July: folic acid, calcium, and albumin. It already included TSH, Free T4, Free T3, vitamin B12, and ferretin (iron stores).
I have been having nocturnal calf cramps again recently.
I have been having nocturnal calf cramps again recently.
Since I have been doing stretches before bed and untucked the sheet at the foot of my bed I haven't been getting nocturnal calf cramps like I was before.
Sorry my previous post really ought to have been under my :Relationship between ferretin (iron) & thyroid function" thread.
Sorry my previous post really ought to have been under my :Relationship between ferretin (iron) & thyroid function" thread.
I am going to do some research about vegetables and fruit that are reasonable sources of Vitamin C. I already know bell peppers (not green) and strawberries should be on my list.
By the way the label on the Floravit specifies to take it before meals.
By the way the label on the Floravit specifies to take it before meals.
I have been taking my liquid iron supplement which has B vitamins as well as Vitamin C in the formula before meals. Maybe I ought to see if I can tolerate it on an empty stomach. I've read online it's better absorbed without food. People often take it with food to avoid upset stomach.
I eat frozen fruit such as cranberries and blueberries, but I don't tend to eat frozen or canned vegetables.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, I understood that the mixed beans are legumes vs string/green beans.
Thanks for your post. Please note the mixed beans aren't string beans they are legumes (chick peas, red kidney beans, romano beans, black-eyed peas). I eat a lot of fresh vegetables daily.
I have a dental appointment this afternoon for teeth cleaning. I'll write again later.
I eat yogurt/Kefir and hard boiled eggs.
I have a dental appointment this afternoon for teeth cleaning. I'll write again later.
I eat yogurt/Kefir and hard boiled eggs.
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's true that TSH fluctuates considerably and if we were dealing only with TSH, I wouldn't be concerned, but your low FT4 bears out the concept that your thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormones for your body. It will only keep going down.
You can easily increase your dosage of B-12... it's not toxic, so you can take more of that...
The iron is a big problem, because it's necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, plus you need it to help carry oxygen throughout your body. You'll have to talk to your ND about increasing the dose of the Floravit; it's possibly just as safe as adding another source of supplemental iron. If you add another source, there are brands available that specify that they don't cause constipation.
Spinach is also an excellent vegetable source of iron... 1 cup cooked contains 6.4 mg of iron. Other dark leafy greens (kale, beet greens, etc) also contain iron, though not nearly as much as spinach. A large potato has 3.2 mg of iron and remember, potatoes also have potassium that helps prevent muscle cramps. A baked potato with the skin with spinach for the topping is really good...
If I don't buy fresh vegetables, I buy mostly frozen... the price is comparable to canned, but without the preservatives, salt, sugar and other "extras". If I do buy canned, I pour them into a colander to drain and rinse, then heat with chicken, beef or vegetable broth, or I heat them in the microwave or roast in the oven, with a little butter, coconut or olive oil and add vinegar, herbs and spices to give them more flavor.
I don't recall if you eat eggs and dairy; both are excellent sources of B-12; milk, cheese and yogurt will help increase your B-12 levels. A large egg has 4% of the daily requirement for iron.
It's always possible that you have an absorption issue, but if you did, I'd think you'd have trouble absorbing more than just iron. The type of iron found in vegetables (mostly non-heme) is harder to absorb than that found in meat (mostly heme). Iron should be eaten with vitamin C for better absorption... pair those lentils with a red pepper or an orange (not juice) for dessert, since both are high in vitamin C.
Digestive enzymes or probiotics might help if you have a problem with constipation.
You can easily increase your dosage of B-12... it's not toxic, so you can take more of that...
The iron is a big problem, because it's necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, plus you need it to help carry oxygen throughout your body. You'll have to talk to your ND about increasing the dose of the Floravit; it's possibly just as safe as adding another source of supplemental iron. If you add another source, there are brands available that specify that they don't cause constipation.
Spinach is also an excellent vegetable source of iron... 1 cup cooked contains 6.4 mg of iron. Other dark leafy greens (kale, beet greens, etc) also contain iron, though not nearly as much as spinach. A large potato has 3.2 mg of iron and remember, potatoes also have potassium that helps prevent muscle cramps. A baked potato with the skin with spinach for the topping is really good...
If I don't buy fresh vegetables, I buy mostly frozen... the price is comparable to canned, but without the preservatives, salt, sugar and other "extras". If I do buy canned, I pour them into a colander to drain and rinse, then heat with chicken, beef or vegetable broth, or I heat them in the microwave or roast in the oven, with a little butter, coconut or olive oil and add vinegar, herbs and spices to give them more flavor.
I don't recall if you eat eggs and dairy; both are excellent sources of B-12; milk, cheese and yogurt will help increase your B-12 levels. A large egg has 4% of the daily requirement for iron.
It's always possible that you have an absorption issue, but if you did, I'd think you'd have trouble absorbing more than just iron. The type of iron found in vegetables (mostly non-heme) is harder to absorb than that found in meat (mostly heme). Iron should be eaten with vitamin C for better absorption... pair those lentils with a red pepper or an orange (not juice) for dessert, since both are high in vitamin C.
Digestive enzymes or probiotics might help if you have a problem with constipation.
Thanks for your reply. I was really disappointed about the TSH, Free T4, and ferretin results.
I hardly feel cold any more which was a huge issue before. I thought my TSH would be better not worse. Six months ago it was 5.74.
NP suggested thyroid medication or wait 3 months for more bloodwork as she saw that my TSH has fluctuated significantly over time as I stated in my previous post.
Recommended daily dose for Flovarit is 20 ml = 20 mg of elemental iron.
I wonder if it would be safe to increase it to 30 ml to get 30 mg of elemental
iron?
The NP also said to consider iron from a pharmacy then I have to concern myself with constipation. My mom confirmed that this was a problem for her.
Yes, I continue to take B12 orally. NP thinks sublingual is OK; shot unnecessary.
My mom's suggestion was to start prepping and eating lentils plus more quinoa in addition to supplementation. I do not enjoy cooking or spending much time in the kitchen. I found dried lentils to be finicky and if canned they have EDTA (artificial/chemical preservative).
The thing is I have been eating lately a lot more canned organic, mixed beans that are packed in salt and supposedly have 35% of daily intake for iron in a single serving. Maybe there's an absorption issue from obtaining iron through food?
I hardly feel cold any more which was a huge issue before. I thought my TSH would be better not worse. Six months ago it was 5.74.
NP suggested thyroid medication or wait 3 months for more bloodwork as she saw that my TSH has fluctuated significantly over time as I stated in my previous post.
Recommended daily dose for Flovarit is 20 ml = 20 mg of elemental iron.
I wonder if it would be safe to increase it to 30 ml to get 30 mg of elemental
iron?
The NP also said to consider iron from a pharmacy then I have to concern myself with constipation. My mom confirmed that this was a problem for her.
Yes, I continue to take B12 orally. NP thinks sublingual is OK; shot unnecessary.
My mom's suggestion was to start prepping and eating lentils plus more quinoa in addition to supplementation. I do not enjoy cooking or spending much time in the kitchen. I found dried lentils to be finicky and if canned they have EDTA (artificial/chemical preservative).
The thing is I have been eating lately a lot more canned organic, mixed beans that are packed in salt and supposedly have 35% of daily intake for iron in a single serving. Maybe there's an absorption issue from obtaining iron through food?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow, your TSH is very high... Your pituitary gland is telling your thyroid there isn't enough thyroid hormones and your low FT4 shows that your thyroid is not responding. Did she suggest starting on thyroid medication or are you still against that?
Why can't you simply increase your Floravit dosage to get the right amount of iron?
Your B-12 could also stand to be higher... Most of us feel better with it in the 900-1100 area... are you supplementing that?
Why can't you simply increase your Floravit dosage to get the right amount of iron?
Your B-12 could also stand to be higher... Most of us feel better with it in the 900-1100 area... are you supplementing that?
NP Laura is willing do repeat bloodwork for my thyroid and ferretin in 3 months.
My TSH usually varies in the range of 4.03 - 10.79. I have figures from 2011 to present.
I just found out through the Nurse Practitioner (NP) Laura at my doctor's office
that I am not getting enough elemental iron from my Floravit liquid iron supplement! She said I need 30 - 35 mg/day. I was only getting up to 20 mg/day. So, I will have to do some research and discuss options with my Naturopathic Doctor (ND) Lisa to increase my intake.
I see my ND on July 9.
July 2, 2015 Canadian bloodwork lab results received July 7, 2015.
TSH 10.53 Reference range 0.35 – 5.00 miU/L
Free T4 12 Reference range 12 – 22 pmol/L
Free T3 4.2 Reference range 2.6 – 5.7 pmol/L
Vitamin B12 645 Reference range >220 pmol/L
Ferretin 27 Reference range 12 – 125 ug/L
Folate 2822 Reference range >=1200 nmol/L
Calcium 2.25 Reference range 2.20 – 2.65 mmol/L
Albumin 42 Reference range 35 – 52 g/L
My TSH usually varies in the range of 4.03 - 10.79. I have figures from 2011 to present.
I just found out through the Nurse Practitioner (NP) Laura at my doctor's office
that I am not getting enough elemental iron from my Floravit liquid iron supplement! She said I need 30 - 35 mg/day. I was only getting up to 20 mg/day. So, I will have to do some research and discuss options with my Naturopathic Doctor (ND) Lisa to increase my intake.
I see my ND on July 9.
July 2, 2015 Canadian bloodwork lab results received July 7, 2015.
TSH 10.53 Reference range 0.35 – 5.00 miU/L
Free T4 12 Reference range 12 – 22 pmol/L
Free T3 4.2 Reference range 2.6 – 5.7 pmol/L
Vitamin B12 645 Reference range >220 pmol/L
Ferretin 27 Reference range 12 – 125 ug/L
Folate 2822 Reference range >=1200 nmol/L
Calcium 2.25 Reference range 2.20 – 2.65 mmol/L
Albumin 42 Reference range 35 – 52 g/L
I have to call in at or after 9 am today from work to see if I can go this afternoon. They did not specify why I need to see them. Thanks for asking.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Did they indicate whether or not there was an issue or anything? Have you made the appointment?
The doctor's office called July 6 requesting I make an appointment to discuss my lab results re: recent bloodwork.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Look forward to seeing the results of the labs... Hope you're doing well.
I went for bloodwork at the lab on July 2. I go back to my ND on July 9 and hope to know the results from the GP by then.
COMMUNITY LEADER
A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), typically, consists of blood glucose, electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and chloride, which all need to be in balance, along with calcium, proteins, carbon dioxide and liver function tests.
There are different forms of potassium... Typically, the potassium purchased OTC is potassium iodide; the prescription potassium is potassium chloride. I'd taken OTC potassium for years and my pcp told me to stop because it wasn't "good for me", but it did help stop the cramps. I haven't figured out what wasn't good for me about it... I have to research the benefits (if and) of the potassium chloride over the potassium iodide.
Actually, if you eat a small baked potato, with the skin, you get more potassium than you get from a banana. I like to bake my potatoes until the skin is kind of crispy -- I do that if I'm roasting meat or something, otherwise I microwave the potato until it's almost done, then pop it into the oven to finish baking and crisp up the skin. You can also do it on the grill. You can try roasting your veggies,including potatoes with the skins, with a little olive oil, too; the olive oil adds flavor and healthy fat which can actually help you lose weight.
Low iron can cause cramps, but low potassium is a very common cause, as well.
There are different forms of potassium... Typically, the potassium purchased OTC is potassium iodide; the prescription potassium is potassium chloride. I'd taken OTC potassium for years and my pcp told me to stop because it wasn't "good for me", but it did help stop the cramps. I haven't figured out what wasn't good for me about it... I have to research the benefits (if and) of the potassium chloride over the potassium iodide.
Actually, if you eat a small baked potato, with the skin, you get more potassium than you get from a banana. I like to bake my potatoes until the skin is kind of crispy -- I do that if I'm roasting meat or something, otherwise I microwave the potato until it's almost done, then pop it into the oven to finish baking and crisp up the skin. You can also do it on the grill. You can try roasting your veggies,including potatoes with the skins, with a little olive oil, too; the olive oil adds flavor and healthy fat which can actually help you lose weight.
Low iron can cause cramps, but low potassium is a very common cause, as well.
I meant to say I've never heard of prescription potassium either. Another thing for me to look up. I seldom bake a potato. I usually steam my vegies. And I do eat bananas.
Thanks for your reply. I've never heard of a "Comprehensive Metabolic Panel." I'll have to look it up. The nurse practitioner suggested the nocturnal calf cramps could be related to my reduced iron stores.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Too low potassium is often a cause of calf or foot/toe cramps. I was recently put back on prescription potassium because my level showed up low on my Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and I'd begun having toe cramps, especially during the night.
If you aren't having a periodic CMP, but you have regular cramps, you should ask your doctor or nurse practitioner about this. Foods high in potassium include baked potato with the skin, bananas, etc.
If you aren't having a periodic CMP, but you have regular cramps, you should ask your doctor or nurse practitioner about this. Foods high in potassium include baked potato with the skin, bananas, etc.
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