Hi I currently use the thyroid forum and after private blood tests have discovered I've got hashimotos I was then advised to have B12 tested has I suffer from leaky gut the results have come back and I've been advised to get some more tests done one of them being for pernicious anemia I've posted my results so any advice would be great
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2607trix
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Hi 2607trix You are definitely Vitamin B12 and Folate deficient and maybe Vitamin D deficient too but I'm not able to read the third result clearly.
Having Hashimotos may put you at risk of developing B12 deficiency as too will your "leaky gut".
What symptoms do you have?
Pernicious Anaemia is another form of Vitamin B12 deficiency and the test for that is to check whether you have Intrinsic Factor antibodies which prevent absorption of B12 from your food.
Your doctor will probably start you on Hydroxocobamalin B12 injections and also prescribe a folic acid supplement.
I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. for more than 45 years and I'm still "clivealive" so whatever the cause of your deficiencies they are very treatable.
Hi Clive alive I'm tired all the time pins and needles and numbness in hands and tremors sometimes I ache all over had private tests done by medi checks for my thyroid and now they recommend gastric-parietal-autoantibodies test and intrinsic-factor-antibodies test my vit D is fine made an appointment with GP for Friday I'm going to take the private blood results thank you for your help
Anyone at any age, can become B12 deficient. However, certain people are at an elevated risk. They include the following:
Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.
People aged sixty and over
People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).
People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications that can interfere with B12 absorption.
People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.
People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).
People with a history of alcoholism.
People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.
People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).
People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.
People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.
Women with a history of infertility or multiple miscarriages.
Apart from the highlighted section above do you "see yourself" among the other People listed?
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
If low levels of B12 remain for a long time, the condition also can lead to irreversible damage to nerve cells, which can cause the following symptoms:
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Difficulty walking
Muscle weakness
Irritability
Memory loss
Dementia
Depression
Psychosis
Make a list of your symptoms and present this to your doctor and ask him to treat you according to your symptoms and (perhaps) even start you on loading doses "until there is no further improvement" according to the N.I.C.E guidelines below. Click on the link, then on "Scenario: Management" and scroll down to "Treatment for B12 deficiency"
If possible take someone with you who can validate your neurological symptoms as the doctor is less likely to pooh pooh you in front of a witness.
I am not saying that this is an easy thing to do but try to stay calm, write out what you want to say and keep to the script and be confident that you are "in the right" and your facts are correct.
Please come back and let us know how you get on and in the meantime I wish you well.
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