Hi just wondering if these results indicate cause of my symptoms as stress? GP says they do not and I also have Hashimotos. I also have iron deficiency anaemia thanks
B12 176 (180 - 900)
Ferritin 12 (30 - 400) 1 iron tablet per day
Folate 1.9 (4.6 - 18.7)
Hi
Well with readings like this you need B12 injections and folate tablets. You need B12 injections every other day until no further symptoms are apparent. You also need daily folate tablets alongside the B12 and keep taking the iron tablets. Your results mirror mine and 5 months on with self injection I am now a different person.
Mark
I'm not sure I quite understand your question. Are you asking if stress lowered all your values to below range?
Is your doctor treating your low B12 and folate levels as well as your low iron? Based on those test results you may have more than one type of anemia happening. You certainly are low in all three and need to get them raised up. Your symptoms are more likely due to the multiple deficiencies you have rather than solely to stress.
Hi doctor is saying my symptoms are due to stress and not to above results
Then your doctor is wrong.
Stress is certainly not a helpful element to life, but it cannot be blamed for multiple vitamin deficiencies. If you are eating a healthy and varied diet, you are not likely to become deficient unless there is a malabsorption problem. You will need to ask your doctor to look for that underlying medical condition. It could be something such as gastric atrophy or celiac disease.
It is not in your mind or 'just stress', so you will need to convince your doctor to work with you to find out exactly what is going on.
I totally agree with Galixie
Your levels in B12, Folate and Ferritin are too low. You're taking iron, so that should help. Folate should be delayed until after supplementing B12, ideally, as higher Folate levels can mask symptoms of B12 deficiency.
Unfortunately, too many GPs fail to recognise B12 Deficiency so may I suggest you check out this issue. If you check for posts by Sleepybunny , you will find she gives a lot of very good links.
Supplementing before diagnosis will skew any results.
Good luck
Hi Katyaj your Hashinoto's may put you at risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency and stress simply "uses up" what B12 you have.
As others have said 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"
google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...
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.
I'm not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. for over 45 years and I wish you well.
Your ferritin is far too low as well and should prompt your physician to asses your full iron status and consider iron infusions. I recieve infusions when my level is below 50. You hAve competing anemia which can mask the hematologic findings that would lead the doctor to be more concerned but this in no way means that you are just fine and just stressed. I would also be concerned as to why you have so many deficiencies unless you eat a terrible diet than your malabsorption should be explored. I hope you get the care you need soon.
That was my B12 level when my GP began treatment. I think you need a much more informed doctor. Your one tablet a day for iron seems to be doing nothing for your anaemia either.
Are you vegetarian or vegan?
Balance of b12, folate and iron??
Vitamin B12 "normal" Folate low
Recent B12 and folate deficiency diagnosis
B12/folate
