Low b12 and low iron

[Australialover]

Hi everyone,

I recently received my blood test results which showed my b12 level was 147 and iron ferritin was 17. I am vegetarian and have Crohn’s disease, does anyone have any advice? I’ve been prescribed iron and b12 supplements but wondering if there is anything else I can do to raise these levels.

[jackdup]

nothing i can offer other than the supplements. I was taking B12 injections as then there is no concern about being absorbed in the small intestine, or maybe should say not being absorbed. I don’t know if all of the B12 brands can be taken to be absorbed under the tongue, which would be better than being absorbed in the intestines, but as I said maybe they are all that way.

[Ciccia]

Hi, I'm veggie too. Are your levels normally ok? I've had occasions when mine have been low but that is usually when I'm in a flare, so inflammatory markers have been up too- meaning it was the disease not my diet. You can ask for iron/B12 infusions but I would have thought they would have been offered if the consultant thought they were needed. Have you spoken to your IBD nurse? they are usually best and can get you an appointment with the nutritionist to help you look at your diet properly and advise you on ways of getting your iron and B12 up. Good luck.

[Rosepetal60]

look for all vegetables etc online that have lots of iron in them. The ones at the top of the list are usually the strongest. quality dark Cocoa is high in iron and is nice with milk or oat “milk”. Dark green veg also good but apparently not spinach! Which doesn’t have any iron in it. From what I have read: B12 is the most difficult vitamin to get into one’s system. I was taking high amounts of B12 pills for months only to find out with private blood tests that I was loosing B12 the whole time. The B12 wasn’t getting into my system at all. Then quite by accident a friend recommended I try Kefir yogurt type drink as it made her feel better for it. So I started doing that 3 days a week and the blood tests after 6 weeks were now showing I was once again , gaining B12. What a relief for me. I will have to take the kefir forever or probiotic pills from health shop. But I find the kefir more reliable. Btw I take the kefir at bedtime as advised by friend.