B12, folate, ferritin

[Ava324]

Just feel like I am struggling every day and no one understands how I am feeling really unwell. Heavy periods since age 13, recent weight gain, tiredness every day, feeling cold but sweating, acid reflux, losing hair, breathlessness. Feel like giving up with at times.

Ferritin 45 (30 - 400)

Folate 1.9 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 227 (190 - 900)

Taking iron and vitamin D and being prescribed folic acid.

Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Ava324 I'm sorry to read how unwell you are feeling and angry with your doctor who dismisses your low B12 and any neurological symptoms you may have simply because the test result shows it as "Normal" or "within range".

Your doctor should also know that your thyroid problems may put you at risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency and any medication you may be taking for the acid reflux further increases that risk.

Your doctor should be treating your symptoms not just looking at the computer screen.

The British Society for Haematology (BSH) guidelines for Diagnosis of B12 and Folate Deficiency say "In the presence of discordance between the test result and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment".

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...

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 any 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. (a form of B12 deficiency) for over 45 years and I wish you well.

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