Are my symptoms from B12 deficiency?

It does sound very much like B12 deficiency. Have you been told what your levels were when tested? You definitely need to have another blood test for your B12 level, plus ferritin and folate.

Your doctor should have re-tested your levels once you were put on tablets for B12, just to make sure you were able to absorb it via your digestive system.

I think you may need injections to correct the deficiency. Have a look at the Pernicious Anaemia Society website for a full symptom list.

Good luck with feeling better and getting the correct treatment. Marion 

Are you still taking the B12 supplements?

Also, if your Folate deficient and you are not supplementing that also you possibly won't be processing the B12 that is getting through.

I am absolutely incredulous that "your doctor said at the time that the levels were low enough to start injections however due to my age (22 at the time) he wanted to try supplements first" Whatever was he playing at with your health? He was probably thinking of his budget.

We need to know more about why you became B12 deficient in the first place. Can you "see" yourself in list below?

Who’s at greatest risk for B12 Deficiency?

Anyone at any age, can become B12 deficient. However, certain people are at an elevated risk. They include the following:Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.

People aged sixty and over

People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).

People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications that can interfere with B12 absorption including certain contraceptive pills.

People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.

People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).

People with a history of alcoholism.

People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.

People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).

People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.

People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.

Women with a history of infertility or multiple miscarriages.

Infants born to and/or breast fed by women who are symptomatic or are at risk for B12 deficiency".

I suggest you make a list of all your symptoms present them to your doctor and ask for your Serum B12 and Serum Folate to be tested again.

If they are stil low then demand treatment in accordance with the BNF Guidelines as follows.

Treatment of cobalamin deficiency

"Current clinical practice within the U.K is to treat cobalamin deficiency with hydroxocobalamin in the intramuscular form outlined in the British National Formulary, BNF, 

Standard initial therapy for patients without neurological involvement is 1000 µg intramuscularly (i.m.) three times a week for two weeks, then every three months. 

The BNF advises that for Pernicious anaemia and other macrocytic anaemias patients presenting with neurological symptoms should receive 1000 µg i.m. on alternative days until there is no further improvement, then 1 mg every 2 months.

However, the GWG recommends a pragmatic approach in patients with neurological symptoms by reviewing the need for continuation of alternative day therapy after three weeks of treatment"

If you have any further questions please come back