Any reason not to start supplements?

[Meheg3]

Hello. I already take levothyroxine but went to the gp feeling generally unwell.

I got a call to say b12 157 (range 197-771) ferritin 10 (range 13-150) folate 2.7 (range 3.9-26.8) hb 118(range 115-160) and that I’d have to start supplements.

But none were prescribed but mentioned doing coeliac bloods (done since) and feacal Calprotectin (done since) so I presume they’re awaiting the results of them.

Is this normal, I’m still feeling rough. Is there a reason for not starting supplements until a cause is found?

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Meheg3 it sounds to me as though your doctor is trying to rule out everything else except the obvious - you are B12, Folate and ferritin deficient and your thyroid problems may have put you at risk of developing a B12 deficiency.

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

It may be that your doctor is planning on treating you with B12 injections but in an absence of that 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. (a form of B12 deficiency) for over 45 years and I wish you well.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Assuming you are UK based you should be on loading doses for the B12 3xweek for 2 weeks (or until symptoms stop improving if you have neurological symptoms) followed by maintenance doses 3 monthly (2 monthly if neurological symptoms - starting treatment should not be delayed until testing for absorption problems is complete.

oral supplements for folate and generally for the iron deficiency - though infusions may be required if levels don't improve.

[Meheg3]

Thank you all