Alternative Health Blog

Anyone who struggles with hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disorder that compromises the thyroid to slow the metabolism and drag on personal energy, needs to check for a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Research shows nearly a third of all individuals with thyroid autoimmune challenges are low in B-12.

In another familiar pattern for some hypothyroidism patients, about a third of those individuals low in B=12 were also deficient in iron and an diagnosed with anemia. Hypothyroidism is about three to four times more likely among women, who also tend to run a higher rate of anemic readings in their bloodstreams.

The connection between B-12 and thyroid problems originated in Italian medical research literature. Those scientists connected B-12 and iron loss with a  form of gastritis, suggesting that digestive problems might link to some thyroid problems. For anyone who struggles with the relatively common disorder, consulting with your doctor to run a serum blood test for B-12 and iron is advised.

In related research, about half of all individuals with some rate of lower than normal thyroid function (determined by certain substances measured in blood testing) were also somehow less than optimal in B-12 counts.

Most individuals with hypothyroid (“hypo” indicates slowing down) symptoms often feel tired, especially upon waking. While a cup of coffee and its caffeine content seems like a necessary idea, researchers have discovered that coffee lowers thyroid hormone absorption by about one third. What’s more, if someone takes thyroid medicine (either synthetic or natural hormone) with calcium (latte, anyone?) that can additionally disrupt thyroid hormone absoroption in the body. A growing number of naturopathic physicians now tell their hypothyroid  patients to take their thyroid medication at night for improved absorption.

Adjusting medication time and realizing how calcium, chromium or even iron in foods can block thyroid uptake is essential for optimal thyroid health. In fact, a 2002 Tufts University study showed 40 percent of individuals with thyroid issues were still low in B-12 despite eating diets that were two to three more than the daily recommended amount of B-12. The vitamin is most plentiful in meat, poultry, dairy products, eggs and fish. Lead researcher Katherine Tucker said it’s that people are not enough meat or other B-12 foods, but that “it is not being absorbed.”

Vitamin B-12 is essential to how the body develops red blood cells and is also critical to the body making a protective coating to surround nerve bundles.

While B-12 deficiency is most linked to anemia as a test result, there are other symptoms that are relevant to everyday life. Lack of B-12 leads to feeling tired or weak, pale appearance in the lining of the lower eyelids, irregular heart beat or palpitations, faintness, breathlessness, hair loss, unexplained bruising, dizziness and long and/or unusually heavy menstrual periods.

Another finding from the Tufts researchers: While B-12 deficiency has long been associated with growing older, their study showed just as many individuals between 26 and 49 years old in that category. Eating B-12 fortified foods (cereals and dairy products) can be supportive in boosting your absorption levels, as can taking a supplement.

B-12 shots, of course, are a possibility. But here are two precautions: First, for people with hypothyroidism, B-12 shots would need to be regular over a lifetime to maintain optimal thyroid health. Second, never seek out B-12 shots without close supervision from a health practitioner who knows the process. There is a B-12 nasal spray undergoing research and testing in Europe that might well provide an alternative in coming years.

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.