Yellow skin

[Jennylind]

I've read that pale yellow skin is a symptom of PA/B12-deficiency. My skin has had a yellow tinge for a really long time, and I was wondering how long it might take to resolve, now I'm treating the B12-deficiency?

My skin is naturally very pale. I'm not sure the yellow is pronounced enough that a stranger meeting me would notice anything, but next to members of my family who I previously had the same skin tone as, I look positively fluorescent!

(BTW, liver function tests, etc, all normal)

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Jennylind do you have any other B12 deficiency symptoms or have they all "gone away" apart from your paleness?

It is also important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body

[Jennylind in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clive,

My folate level has always been fine. My ferritin is often on the low side, but that is also being addressed.

I would say that my other symptoms are 'well under control' rather than completely gone. There is a clear relationship between the reccurence/improvement of symptoms and the frequency of the B12 injections, so I seem to be on the right track.

I had expected my skin to return to it's own colour quite rapidly, but it obviously isn't happening.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Jennylind]

Oh yes you are right Jennylind "There is a clear relationship between the reccurence/improvement of symptoms and the frequency of the B12 injections", sadly many doctors don't recognise this and stick rigidly to their "One Size Fits All" regimen.

Do you think a dermatologist could help? My wife sometimes comments that I go pale between injections but it is only short term.

[Jennylind]

Thanks, Clive. I don't think I've explained it properly, sorry!

My concern is about my skin being yellow. My normal skin colour is very pale, that is what I would like it to return to.

I don't think a dermatologist could help, as my understanding is that it is elevated bilirubin in the blood which causes the yellowing, this should resolve when 'normality' returns to my blood cells - but how long it should take to clear? I can't find anything which gives this information.

[kirsten555]

I had this symptom too for ages while waiting for a diagnosis (two years!!!) and my husband kept remarking on it. I now si daily as the 12 week injections weren't enough, and I'm happy to say that the yellow tinge has gone. I'm not sure but it probably took about 8 weeks or so to improve. Good luck!

[Jennylind in reply to kirsten555]

Thanks, kirsten555, hopefully mine will clear up too.