Advice on level of fatigue please. I am insulin dependent diabetic, iron deficient and have pernicious anaemia and 12 weekly B12 injections.

[Bali1962]

hi,

I am 54. Just going through menopause. Am taking ferrous fumarate 210mg tabs twice a day, together with a multivitamin tab after breakfast each day.

My folate levels are high. I always feel tired and when menstruating I struggle to move.

I eat a healthy diet with red meat and vegetables and some oily fish.

Is there anything I could eat or take to improve my energy levels and reduce the overwhelming fatigue I feel?

Thanks in hope of your advice.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Bali1962 when I was diagnosed with P.A. 45 years ago I was "threatened" with having to eat raw liver three times a day but as I didn't fancy that I opted for b12 injections,

Have you tried negotiating with your doctor to increase the frequency of your B12 injections. I know this is often met with a "one size fits all" reaction and rejection but given your symptoms, your diabetes and age it could well be that you need more B12.

I am not a medically qualified person and there are others on here who will be able to give you good advice.

I wish you well

[Gambit62 Administrator]

it is going to be really difficult to tell exactly what is causing the lack of energy given that you seem to have several conditions going on. Feeling tired during menstruation in particularly may well be related to the iron deficiency.

It is possible that high dose oral B12 might help - or nasal sprays if the problem is B12 or to the extent that the problem is B12 deficiency. You might also want to try the different forms of B12 - eg methyl and adenosyl to see if those help you more than hydroxo/cyano.

[Marz]

Have you had your thyroid correctly tested ? - TSH - FT4 - FT3 and Thyroid anti-bodies TPO & Tg.

Low Iron - Ferritin - Folate - B12 - VitD - so often go hand in hand with low thyroid.

Many people have the TSH tested and if in range are told they are normal. Sadly that is only a small part of a thorough diagnosis.

Happy to help 😊

[Bali1962]

yes thyroid levels are ok and are regularly tested. It's probably the low ferritin. Will keep having regular blood tests.