Low vb 12 levels.

[Winney]

I have just been diagnosed with low thyroid and low vb12 after reading all the symptoms I realised I had them all I have just started with vb12 injections last week but so far don't feel any different I am only having three injections is it an on going thing with the needles am I hoping for to much thanks.

[clivealive Forum Support]

If you have neurological symptoms your doctor should be reading the N'I.C.E. guidelines which tell him/her how to treat a Vitamin B12 Deficiency.

Click on the link below, then on "Scenario Management" and read down to "Treatment for B12 deficiency"

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

I've reproduced below the bit that applies to you as someone with neurological symptoms

"Ideally, management should be guided by a specialist, but if specialist advice is not immediately available, consider the following:

Initially administer hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly on alternate days until there is no further improvement, then administer hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly every 2 months".

You also need to check what your Folate level is as this and B12 help your iron to make red blood cells.

[Winney in reply to clivealive]

Thank you I should say I am 76 yrs young diabetic and have had a mastectomy five yrs ago did not have any chemo or radiation just take anastrozole hormone tablet could any of the medications I take cause the low vitb12 levels.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Winney]

Well sadly your age, thyroid problem and diabetes each and all put you at risk of developing a B12 deficiency.

I am not medically trained so cannot comment on your medication though I guess you could look at the information leaflet for adverse side effects.

Did you check your Folate level?

[Winney in reply to clivealive]

Thank you.

[Winney in reply to clivealive]

No maybe I should ask next time I see the dr.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

metformin used to treat type 2 diabetes lowers B12 absorption in around 40% of people.

As you get older levels of stomach acidity start to get lower which also lowers B12 absorption.

If you are on metformin - please speak to your GP as it isn't recommended as treatment in older patients - can't quite remember what is defined as older - whether 70/75 or ?.

the side effects of anastrazole do show a high overlap with B12/folate deficiency but the the symptoms overlap with a lot of things and not sure if anyone has reported interactions with B12/folate. It does look as if it may affect absorption given the gastro symptoms.

Do you know if you had any macrocytosis (larger rounder red blood cells than normal) - 70% of people with B12 deficiency present with this symptom - because red blood cells are only replaced as they come to the end of their life and they tend to live for about 4 months symptoms that are secondary to this will take a few months to clear.

Clivealive has already covered the protocol for treating where there is neurological involvement - though if you aren't UK based then the protocol where you are may be different.

Some people notice improvements quickly - for others it can take months - and some symptoms may not improve at all - eg some neurological symptoms if the deficiency has been left too long and the damage is irreversible ... but even if it isn't nerves can take a very long time to repair. Which is a long way of saying that there isn't a standard timescale for recovery.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Gambit62]

I didn't know that Metformin "isn't recommended as treatment in older patients - can't quite remember what is defined as older - whether 70/75" Gambit62 as "clivealive" has been on it for two years and I am fast approaching my 76th Birthday (next week). However as I get my B12 injected for P.A. would that remove me from that note of "caution" about age?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to clivealive]

honestly don't know clive as the reason isn't given, so whilst it could be related to B12 also quite possible that it isn't related to B12.