Blood test

[donnabrain]

hi

I just collected my blood test results from gp

they told me on phone they were" normal" so I requested a copy

they seemed surprised that i wanted them,but gave them anyway

I think that they are a bit low.

what do you guys think?

ferratin was15 ug L (13-150)

bit b12 296 (109-660)

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi donnabrain do you have any symptoms that may be associated with low Vitamin B12?

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

Was your Folate tested at the same time?

[donnabrain in reply to clivealive]

I have suffered from weakness and fatigue for thirteen years,and lightheadedness.

I had diarrhoea for thirteen years,but this has cleared up since going gluten free

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to donnabrain]

I'm not a medically trained person and your B12 level although a bit low would be flagged as "Normal" but I wonder what sort of diet you have. Can you eat meat, fish, seafood, eggs, poultry and dairy products as it is from these foods that we obtain b12 naturally?

Folate is derived from leafy green vegetables, sprouts, broccoli, spinach, beans, peas asparagus etc and this and B12 help your iron to make read blood cells.

Certain medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, antacids etc can affect absorption of B12

[donnabrain in reply to clivealive]

I have a very good diet,and eat all of the things you mentioned.

I have been taking omeprazole for thirteen years,which I have recently been told hinders absorbtion.

I have tried to come off it,a couple of times ,but the reflux gets too bad.

for the last few weeks,I have cut my dose by half,with a view to stopping

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to donnabrain]

The omeprazole will definitely inhibit absorption of B12 and it would be good to "come off it" - if you can - but I'm not a medic.

[wedgewood in reply to donnabrain]

If you can't come off omeprazole , I think that you should self-inject . Some people can absorb B12 with sub-lingual tablets , and mouth spray . I can't but perhaps you can . It's work a try .

[donnabrain in reply to clivealive]

just had another look at results

yes folate,8.0 ug/L

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to donnabrain]

I think the range is something like >4 so that's not high

I've had P.A. for over 45 years and so am on permanent B12 injections and I have for more years than I can remember taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet as a "maintenance" dose and I'm wondering if you might benefit by taking a supplement. That strength tablet can be bought cheaply over the counter at any chemist.

You may want to talk to your doctor about treating your neurological symptoms by giving your B12 level a boost either by injections or supplements. He/she may try to shrug you off by saying your level is "Normal" but it's worth a try.

A lot of folk in this community self inject or use sublinguals to boost their B12. Personally I use a B12 methylcobamalin spray.

I wish you well and bid you goodnight

[Hidden]

As you know Omeprazole is designed to block stomach acid production which is vital to digestion of food and this change alters the whole process of digestion resulting in malabsorption, and nutrient depletion such as B12, folate, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, chromium and Vitamin C.

Weaning yourself of PPI's after long term use is difficult and should probably be supervised by your GP - although I am always astounded that they are so ill-informed. You can probably find a few protocols for weaning yourself off them - here is one I just picked at random:-

howtotreatheartburn.com/how...

Take care and all the best