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b12 Deficiency HELP! !!

Posted , 5 users are following.

georgia28486
georgia28486

Hi

After months and months of appointments with my gp and the hospital today I received a letter telling me my b12 levels are 90 and I must start injections urgently.

I got told my levels were low in June but no repeat bloods were done although my doctor said he was going to back in September.

Ive felt like ive been  going mad. My body has been mimicking most signs of pregnancy even lactation (has any one else experience this?). I've been so ill, tired and depressed for months but still  had to push for repeat bloods to be done last week that have provided these reading of 90 which I believe is quite low?

My doctor at the hosp cannot see me for over 3 weeks to speak to me about what these injections in tail and I have no idea what to expect. I work full time and I'm worried these jabs may make me ill?? Do they?

Also I've read if u have low b12 levels it's dangerous to try for a baby? Is this true? I'm very worried me and my partner should stop trying to conceive but can get no advice?

Any help would be massively appreciated

Thank you x

1 like, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • marion29181
    marion29181 georgia28486

    Posted

    Dear Georgia, so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and symptoms. Your level of 90 is very low, and I do hope that with the injections you will begin to feel better very soon. Are you sure you aren't pregnant, as I've not heard of the symptoms you describe? Maybe someone else on here will be able to answer that question for you.

    The injections are not something to worry about, and the usual way to have them is six injections over a fortnight. Then you have one every three months. If you feel you need more than that, it seems to depend on your GP. Lots of us supplement, and take B12 by a sublingual spray, nasal spray or tablets. Not sure if you can do this if you're trying to conceive. You really need a GP to sit and explain everything to you properly.

    i can recommend the book "Pernicious Anaemia the Forgotten Disease" by Martyn Hooper, it talks you through all the causes of low B12, and offers advice. Best wishes to you, and I hope things improve soon. Marion

    • caitlin39841
      caitlin39841 marion29181

      Posted

      hi georgia. so sorry to hear of your low B12 & the 'dozey' Medics. re pregnancy: you need to do a pregnancy test to confirm one way or the other. occassionaly, when ppl are trying to get pregnant, the body can erroneously mimic pregnancy with many of the physical symptoms presenting. however, it's a very rare occurance.

      in respect of trying to get pregnant with a low b12: it's best to wait until your b12 reserves are restored & you are feeling well in yourself again. sometimes a low b12 can cause miscarriages. it's always best to be in the peak of health when trying to concieve. that way you're likely to have a great pregnancy & a positive birthing experience. all good wishes

      Caitlin.

    • georgia28486
      georgia28486 marion29181

      Posted

      Hi Marion

      Thank you for replying to my message.

      I've got my first injection 2moro so fingers crossed I'll soon start to feel better.

      When I first started feeling unwell I was convinced I was pregnant and only went to the docs when I kept getting negative tests. They ran bloods and even did an ultrasound to try find something. Heartbreakingly every test was negative. As I'm still having no periods (this will be my 10th month without and with only a few days of light spotting) I am regularly testing for pregnancy. So yeah I'm certain I'm not which is why the lactating is even more confusing. I've had a corse of tablets to try stop it and that hasn't helped either. 

      I can't wait to see my doctor for some answers but to be honest I think my case has left everyone I've seen totally baffled!! X

    • georgia28486
      georgia28486 caitlin39841

      Posted

      Hi caitlin

      Thank you for messaging me.

       When I first started feeling unwell I was convinced I was pregnant and only went to the docs when I kept getting negative tests. They ran bloods and even did an ultrasound to try find something. Heartbreakingly every test was negative. As I'm still having no periods (this will be my 10th month without and with only a few days of light spotting) I am regularly testing for pregnancy. So yeah I'm certain I'm not which is why the lactating is even more confusing. I've had a corse of tablets to try stop it and that hasn't helped either. 

      I didn't realise b12 could increase miscarriages. One thing I have been wondering if perhaps months back I was pregnant and miscarried, I thought that may explain the lactating. I also wondered about phantom pregnancy but my doctor told my my hormone levels would have been raised if that were the case and they were not.

      I'm looking forward to feeling myself again and getting excited about the chance of pregnancy so cannot wait on start these injections.

      Thanks again for your kind words x

    • marion29181
      marion29181 georgia28486

      Posted

      Hi again Georgia,

      just letting you know there are lots of people here who are wishing you well.

      Do hope you get some answers soon, and that you begin to feel better after your injections. If your B12 has been low for a while it will take time for the levels to build up again. Normally we store it in our liver, and there is usually a few year's worth stored. So once we show symptoms, it means we have been running out gradually. Like a car running low on fuel! Hardly a surprise that we end up feeling so exhausted! Good luck with the injections. Let us know how you are doing. Marion x

  • chris27080
    chris27080 georgia28486

    Posted

    Phantom pregnancy is not a usual sign of B12 deficiency so you may still need to check in with the hospital. Your Gp may want to run some additional blood tests before starting treatment. He can do it. You will probably get 9 injections over a month then once a month or so. They won't make you ill, rather quickly feel much better. You may also want to take a folic acid supplement which is recommended for those seeking to get pregnant.

    You could wait the three weeks but I doubt you need to. Your gp should have had a letter  giving what they have in mind. It is pretty routine for them although they may not be up with the all the details.

    • georgia28486
      georgia28486 chris27080

      Posted

      Hi Chris

      Thank your for your message.

      When I first started feeling unwell I was convinced I was pregnant and only went to the docs when I kept getting negative tests. They ran bloods and even did an ultrasound to try find something. Heartbreakingly every test was negative. As I'm still having no periods (this will be my 10th month without and with only a few days of light spotting) I am regularly testing for pregnancy. So yeah I'm certain I'm not which is why the lactating is even more confusing. I've had a corse of tablets to try stop it and that hasn't helped either. After that the doctors seemed totally out of thoughts which is why they looked more at a deficiency. 

      I've been taking folic supplements for nearly a year. My reading for that were still low recently but I suppose that's standard when you have low b12? Is that right?

      Thanks Georgia x

    • caitlin39841
      caitlin39841 georgia28486

      Posted

      hi georgia

      i'm soooooooo sorry to hear you've been trying to concieve, but with no luck so far. i know, how bruising & all consuming that can be. however, georgia it's very early days.

      your body is tired & 'run down' presently evidenced by the low b12 levels. it needs time to restore it's levels of b12 & subsequently it's energy. you've been working exceptionally hard lately i.e. 45/65 hrs per week, so your body will be running on empty.

      often when we don't fall pregnant, it's the body's way of telling us 'i'm not quite ready' @ the moment, when rested & well nourished it'll be fine & dandy & ready for concieving. in your case, my guess is, that the low b12 levels levels is most likely a factor.

      right now, your body needs loads of TLC, rest, good nutrition, relaxation & the b12 injections. my hunch is, that you'll not know yourself when those b12 levels are back to normal & getting pregnant will happen naturally. so be kind to your body & it'll do you're bidding when your energy . btw, we're all rooting for you on here. keep us posted.

      Caitlin

    • caitlin39841
      caitlin39841

      Posted

      p.s. georgia: that should have read 'when your energy returns' - my browser is playing up presently.

      Caitlin.

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