Very confused with B12 results
Posted , 2 users are following.
hi, I hoping someone might be able to help me/explain to me if I have vitamin b12 deficiency/low readings.
I do not understand from reading anything what is what, had blood test done privately vitamin b12 164 and active 121. The range they use for b12 says normal but seems low considering goes up to just over 700.
I have vitamin d deficiency think they said 21 uk and taking supplements for this but doesn't seem to be helping me with slow brain issues, memory and concentration, bit forgetful and starting to get irritated quite quickly
In last 3 weeks I have developed constant ringing in right ear and lost appetite and saw mouth kind of side of cheeks and also jaw problem. I also have fibromyalgia but trying to figure out what is what seems very tricky as struggling to take stuff in.
have different types of pain, joints, muscles some deep, dull ache kind and some like someone is pricking me if that makes sense and completely exhausted. I also go through day where I suddenly start yawning like 10 times on trot as though need air and It just goes again
Sorry for long post but I'm at a loss at the moment as to what is going on with health as normally a very healthy person
1 like, 5 replies
clivealive Happydays17
Posted
Was your folate level tested?
What sort of diet are you eating? You need plenty of Meat, fish, seafood, eggs, poultry amd dairy produce to source B12 naturally.
What medications are you on?
Do you have any other autoimmune diseases like thyroid problems?
Do you have digestion problems?
Symptoms of B12 deficiency tend to develop slowly and may not be recognised immediately. As the condition worsens, common symptoms include:
Weakness and fatigue
Light-headedness and dizziness
Palpitations and rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
A sore tongue that has a red, beefy appearance
Nausea or poor appetite
Weight loss
Diarrhoea
Yellowish tinge to the skin and eyes
If low levels of B12 remain for a long time, the condition also can lead to irreversible damage to nerve cells, which can cause the following symptoms:
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Difficulty walking
Muscle weakness
Irritability
Memory loss
Dementia
Depression
Psychosis
Happydays17 clivealive
Posted
Hi Clivealive, thanks for responding
no I didn't get folate level done, it's all very confusing, I will get this sorted next week
my diet not too bad when have appetite it's just gone at the moment and don't really want to eat but get plenty of above apart from fish as not a fan, eat a fish finger every now and again,
the doc put me on citlopram for anxiety and gave me buscopan as said have IBS and just codeine pain killers. I also have oxezpam for as and when, hadn't needed for quite a while but last couple of nights used to get me to sleep to due to stupid raining in my ear.
i have quite a few of the symptoms above but they so similar to vitamin d, fibromyalgia etc I'm struggling to except I have fibromyalgiaas think they too quick to tell you that you have it without looking at things properly and really don't want my health to get worse, I want the old me back.
once again thanks for your response, I really appreciate it. Trying very hard to get educated about vitamins and what they do for us
clivealive Happydays17
Posted
The following are some of the potential causes of a B12 deficiency:
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Vegan or vegetarian lifestyle
Excessive junk food consumption
Digestive diseases and conditions which block absorption (Celiac, Crohn’s, IBS, malabsorption, etc.)
Removal or resectioning of the small bowel
Use of antacids and prescription drugs used to treat ulcers or GERD
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) such as Lansoprazole etc.
Folate or folic acid and B12 help your iron to make red blood cells amongst other functions so a deficiency in one or other interrupts that process. That's why it's important to get it checked whilst your low B12 is being investigated.
A Vitamin B12 deficiency can be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia., depression, CFS/ME, IBS, MS.... the list goes on but patients thus diagnosed often respond to B12 treatment.
I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anarmia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 45 years and I'm still "clivealive" at over 75.
Happydays17 clivealive
Posted
Fthank you again, it so much easier to understand what you have written, and think hearing from someone other than a doctor that has symptoms gets it makes it better if that makes sense.i see the doc in couple of weeks, he has no idea I sent for these tests, do you think it's even worth mentioning to him as I don't get it as to whether it's low as company I used for checks said within range and don't want doctor to think I'm a loon. Do you cope well with managing as that's a long old time for having illness. I've started a pain clinic and this week learnt to pace so I'm looking onwards and upwards. hope you have a good day, thank you very much for taking time for this
clivealive Happydays17
Posted