Updated March 21st 2020 by Dr Richard Hagmeyer DC, CFMP

Vitamin D Has A Tremendous Impact On The Thyroid, But Especially Those Who Suffer With Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Research has shown that vitamin D deficiency in people with an under-active thyroid may lead to memory and focusing problems, which increases the risk of depression and lower day-to-day life quality in people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.

How is A Vitamin D deficiency Diagnosed? Testing for Vitamin D

You might think that testing your Vitamin D levels is a good idea, and we would strongly agree with you- In fact, I retest every patients vitamin D levels, if those levels are older than 4 or 5 months. Thats how important vitamin D is, especially if you have an autoimmune disease like Hashimotos, Graves, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease or any other kind of Inflammatory Bowel disorder.

Testing For Vitamin D- 25 (OH)D

Your doctor can order a blood test to measure your levels of vitamin D. There are two types of tests that might be ordered, but the most common is the 25-hydroxyvitamin D, known as 25(OH)D for short. For the blood test, a technician will use a needle to take blood from a vein. You do not need to fast or otherwise prepare for this type of test.

Genetic SNPS and Vitamin D

Many people have a genetic condition affects the functionality of the Vitamin D receptor (genetic polymorphism called a SNP), making the biologic activity of the vitamin reduced. This means you will need to have higher levels of Vitamin D in your blood than the norm in order to maintain healthy bodily functions.

Vitamin D is necessary for brain activity—it regulates metabolism of calcium, reduces inflammation and it’s quite active in brain areas important for focus and memory.

Pinpointing Where your Vitamin D Levels Should Be, Isn’t Easy

Research has not been able to adequately answer the question of what your ideal levels should be. There are the researchers who have concluded that the standard level of 35 ng/mL is optimum for the average person.

Other researchers, however, looking at the exact same data, have drawn the conclusion that a level of 50 ng/mL is actually more appropriate.

In my practice, I believe we need to take into consideration the health of our patient, the disease they have, their lifestyle and their overall health. I don’t believe in cookie cutter medicine, but more of personalized approach to natural medicine.

In the 4th article of this vitamin D series and Thyroid disease, I explain where I like to see certain levels and how I dose vitamin D. I also talk about when Vitamin K is important.

Missed one of the Vitamin D Articles? People Who Read This Article Also Read Vitamin D Series?

Part I of this series detailed the connection between low vitamin D and Hashimotos disease. Part II then addressed supplements and 11 factors that can impact vitamin D absorption and cause deficiency. I explained that correcting a vitamin D deficiency is often more than just supplementing with vitamin D but looking at the root cause and some of the factors leading to the deficiency in the first place. In part IV I will explain where I like to see vitamin D levels, how much to take based on your blood levels and more and the vitamin D I recommend.

• Part I of Our Vitamin D Series
• Part II of Our Vitamin D Series
• Part III of Our Vitamin D Series
• See Part IV of our Vitamin D series
• 10 Steps To Supporting Your Thyroid Naturally| Dr. Hagmeyer

Sources

1. Perez-Lopez FR, et al. Vitamin D and aging: beyond calcium and bone metabolism, 2011

2. Sommer A, et al. Vitamin D regulates cytokine patterns secreted by dendritic cells to promote differentiation of IL-22-producing T cells, 2015

3. Annweiler C, et al. Vitamin D and cognition in older adults: updated international recommendations, 2015

4. Eyles DW, et al. Distribution of the vitamin D receptor and 1 alpha-hydroxylase in human brain, 2005

5. LeMoult J, Gotlib IH. Depression: a cognitive perspective, 2018

6. Scanlan JM, et al. Cognitive impairment, chronic disease burden, and functional disability: a population study of older Italians, 2007

7. Ovesen L, et al. Geographical differences in vitamin D status, with particular reference to European countries, 2003

8. Kennel KA, et al. Vitamin D Deficiency in Adults: When to Test and How to Treat, 2010

9. Bakr HG, et al. Relevance of 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, 2017

10. Nalbant A, et al. Association of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency with thyroid artery Doppler ultrasonography in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis, 2017