Forskolin: I have heard from a friend... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

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Forskolin

Annikauk1 profile image
9 Replies

I have heard from a friend that Forskolin is good for weight loss has anyone tried it I need to loose about 5 stone will this help I am also 70 years old.

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Annikauk1 profile image
Annikauk1
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9 Replies
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator

Sorry Annikauk1, never heard of this 😣.

Just a thought...have you considered asking your GP to refer you to a dietician?

From personal experience, sustainable changes to eating habits are best for acheving long term weight loss - but that's just me 😉. And having support from a knowledgable person would really help...cause it's often really tough when facing such a daunting challenge (as any weight loss is).

Weight Watchers or Slimfast are other things that work for some people (if you have any groups near you) and a good way to make new friends too 😍.

I really hope you manage to find something that works for you. And so impressed that you're aiming to do this 😀.

Good luck 👍

Annikauk1 profile image
Annikauk1 in reply to Foggyme

Unfortunately it is only one of the things I need sorting. B12 deficiency. Hiatus Hernia. Artheritus excuse spelling its late. Problem walking, get out of breath or my legs give way when I try. Sleep problems. Depression. I'll stop there I just feel weight loss might help I have been trying but 2lb off 2lb on then every so often I get depressed about it comfort eat and more weight goes on catch 22. Thanks for your reply

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to Annikauk1

Hi Annikauk1. Just read your previous post and realise that you're having problems getting treatment from your GP for B12 deficiency (possibly PA since previously told that you would need treatment for life).

I don't have too much time right now but wanted to reply and leave you some information that might help you with you GP.

Couple of quick comments -

GP's often say blood test results are normal when they're not. If you get a copy of your B12 results (you are legally entitled to these - the receptionist can print them out for you) and put them in a new post, we can help with interpretation.

Serum B12 should not be used as the sole marker for diagnosing B12 deficiency. All the guidelines state treat symptoms, not just the blood test results. If you have neurological symptoms, treatment with B12 injections should begin immediately.

It is possible to have B12 deficiency - even if serum B12 levels are within what's called the 'normal' reference range. Your GP may not know this.

I note that you also asked about private blood tests for serum B12. Folks on the thyroid forum regularly recommend:

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/c...

Think they do a pin prick test for serum B12 - all done by post.

Also see that you've joined the pernicious anaemia society - a good place to turn to for support and help 😀.

In the meantime, I'm going to post you some links to information that will give you lots of information about B12 deficiency, pernicious anaemia, guidelines for treatment...and the things that GP's get wrong. It will help you to understand what your GP should be doing for you - and can also be something you can print and take to share with your GP. May help them to help you.

Looks like a lot of links but most of the documents are one page long - just don't be daunted - peruse at your leisure 'cause having a bit of knowledge works wonders when faced with a reluctant (or sometimes hostile) GP.

Sorry....but I've run out of time for now...please take care and post again if you need more help or advice. Here come the links:

b12researchgroup.wordpress.... (Serious Caution Note about the use of Oral and Sublingual B12 Supplements)

evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/b... (BNF B12 Deficiency: Hydroxocobalamin Treatment Regimes)

pernicious-anaemia-society.... (PAS Symptom Checklist)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (BSH B12 Deficiency / PA Diagnostic Flowchart)

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi... (British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) Guidelines: Treatment of B12 Deficiency and Folate Disorders)

bloodjournal.org/content/bl... (Haematologist B12 Treatment Review March 2017 – Includes Advice No Reason to Advise Against Self-Injection/More Frequent B12 Injections)

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12... (NICE Guidelines Treatment of B12 / Folate Deficiencies)

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi... (UKNEQAS B12 Treatment Alert, Neurological Symptoms and Risk of Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord - Immediate Treatment with B12 Injections)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (Problems with Serum B12 Test)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (Testing B12 During Treatment)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (Misconceptions About B12 Deficiency – Good to Know Before Seeing GP)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (B12 Treatment Safety / Long Term Treatment for neurological symptoms)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (B12 Deficiency: Neurological Symptoms Can Present Even When B12 is ‘In-Range’ and Without Macrocytosis (large red blood cells) or confirmed PA Diagnosis)t

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten.... (B12 and Intrinsic Factor)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten... (B12 Deficiency and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms)

👍

Annikauk1 profile image
Annikauk1 in reply to Foggyme

What can I say but thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to help me through my situation. I am very grateful for all your help will let you know how am getting on. Thank you again.

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to Annikauk1

No problem Annikauk1. B12 deficency can be quite tricky, and GP's are not always as well informed as they should be 😣. And like many people here, I've been where you are now so know exactly how you're feeling.

If you have any questions when you've waded through the reading just make a new post and folks will be able to help.

And if you need any specific tips on what arguments to present to your GP to support another treatment request, then again, pop up a post so we can help with that. (A written appeal requesting treatment - with evidence included - often works well because it becomes a part of your medical records and is more difficult for a GP to dismiss - all to do with accountability and liability. Sadly.)

And yes please, would be very interested to hear how it all goes 😊.

For now....take very good care x

Annikauk1 profile image
Annikauk1 in reply to Foggyme

I am feeling really down. 14 yrs ago I moved from my old address to Sutton. The Dr I had before I left was giving me yearly check up for B12, the results I was told were borderline, he also told me that you can not get better from this only worse. One problem he said I had was that I could not absorb B12 in the normal way so future would be injections. I had been with this Doctor for many years. Upon moving and registering at the practice her I told my Dr what the old one had said. In 2005 year after I moved he had a B12 test done and said it was normal. Since then he has only arranged 1 blood test since then and again said it was normal. I called the surgery and asked for a Dr to call me so I could have another one done. The Receptionist said she could book it for me, and the Dr would see me if there was a problem and that I could also have a copy of the results.

The appointment for test was today I felt so much better knowing I had finally got the job being done. I went for my appointment today had about 20 mins wait but eventually went in. She said as it was not approved by a Dr she would need consent to do it. So she put an alert up after about 30 mins she got a call to say that the doctor would not agree because I didn't need one because the last one was normal. I was devastated thought I had finally got there just to be thrown on the waste pile again. My old Dr had sent my notes through to new practise and mentioned about B12.

I have not as yet read through the rest of your items yet as I thought I was getting it done. I feel so lost I need his help why won't he give it to me why won't he listen.

Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator in reply to Annikauk1

Hi Annikauk1. First, sorry for the delay in replying...knocked of my feet with an infection...just getting up and about now.

Really sorry that you're not having much luck with your GP...unfortunately it's something we hear a lot.

GP's often fail people with B12 deficiency because they simply don't understand it...and many don't realise that B12 deficency can be present - even if serum B12 levels are within the 'normal' reference range (especially if they are hovering at the bottom).

The serum B12 test is an unreliable marker of B12 defiency...the symtpoms of defiency (which you have) should always take precedent.

And your previous GP has this marked on your records, so goodness only,knows why they are choosing to ignore this.

As suggested above, a written treatment appeal (with evidence from the links I gave) often works better, because GP's cannot ignore it (it become part of your medical records.

So, perhaps a good idea to make another appointment with your GP and submit a letter before that appointment (saying when you expect to see him/her) and ask that they review your evidence before that appointment.

For evidence, you could focus on the links that talk about the unreliability of serum B12 testing as a diagnostic marker of deficiency, the importance of treating symtpoms (not blood results) and the potential consequences of untreated or undertreated b12 deficiency - especially where neurological symptoms are concerned (subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord). Not suggesting you have this but many GPs are unaware of the neurological havoc that can occur if B12 defiency is not appropriately treated - and it might just sharpen their thinking a little - as it should.

Also - print off the UKNEQAS B12 treatment alert - this advises GP's that where there is a discordance between serum B12 levels and symptoms (I.e. Where B12 levels appear normal but the symptoms of deficiency are present), then symptoms take preference and should be treated - with B12 injections.

Hope this helps...good luck...and sorry again for the delay...dolput up a new post if you want more advice or are still struggling with your new GP.

Also note: If you are a member of the Pernicious Anaemia Society, you can contact Martyn Hooper for help...he's sometimes able to intervene with GP's who are not treating patients appropriately...though he usually (I believe - might be wrong) suggests writing to the surgery first.

P.s. It's always a good idea to put up a new post rather than adding a reply to an old one, if you need more help. The only person who sees the new input is the person you are replying to...it's not seen by anybody else in the forum. Means you'll get responses from the whole forum...and more help (especially if the person you are replying to is unwell - like I've been - or not around a lot (some forum members only dodge in occasionally).

👍

Annikauk1 profile image
Annikauk1 in reply to Foggyme

Hi I have my blood test B12 and Folate done. Results are:- B12 291 Folate 7.0 does this mean anything to you

foxglove profile image
foxglove

I took THIRO-GOLD some years ago to help with underactive thyroid, the last thing I wanted to do was lose weight(I'm on the skinny side) but lose weight I did . discovered that THIRO-GOLD contains Forskolin so that probably explained the weight loss. However if you want to lose weight don't think it is harmful in any way (I'm not a qualified medical anything , just my belief about Forskolin)

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