PA-How did you know you had this?

[amybos]

I have had thyroid disease for 20 years. I'm only in my 30's so for most of my life. I have always had IBS but totally unresolved with medication. Recently since the birth of my 3rd child I have felt terrible. Tired to the extreme, achy, sore, drained. I just found out I have love Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12, and Iron. My Ferretin was a 2. What else should I be looking at?? This forum is the first pace I have heard of this condition. How do I get my doc to test me? What is the treatment?

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi amybos both your thyroid and IBS problems put you at risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency which may or may not be Pernicious Anaemia (P.A).

How low was your Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D?

Was your Folate (Vitamin B9) tested?

What sort of diet do you have? To source B12 naturally you need to eat animal products - red meats, fish, seafood, eggs, poultry and dairy produce.

It may be that your thyroid and IBS are affecting your ability to absorb the B12 from your food which is why it is "low".

Can you post on here the test result levels together with the ranges <from - to>?

P.A. is another form of Vitamin B12 deficiency and there is a specific test to diagnose it. If you have P.A it is impossible to absorb the B12 from food and injections have to be given for life.

Has not your doctor suggested prescribing iron, Vitamins B12 and D supplements?

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

[GGourmet]

You mention that you have thyroid disease which as the other poster says, is linked with B12 deficiency. You however also mention that IBS medication is not working for your IBS.

The strongest IBS remedy often used is Mebeverine Hydrochloride 135mg.

If this is not providing relief from IBS, you may need to consider that you have not been properly diagnosed.

There are other conditions that can cause B12 deficiency that also appear to be IBS. These are Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease and SIBO. It may be that you are experiencing a mild form of one of these conditions and being mild, they do not necessarily come to the mind of your GP. A referral to a reputable gastroenterologist might be called for. I know a nurse in gastroenterology who says that colonoscopy is preferable to sigmoidoscopy as many who go through the discomfort of a sigmoidoscopy end up going back for a colonoscopy which is yet more discomfort and a waste of NHS resources.

I was tested for Crohns and never thought I might have this but my consultant said that you don't have to be hospitalised before diagnosis. Thankfully, I don't have Crohns.