B12 and folate deficiency

[Allie1988]

Hi have come from thyroid uk forum. I am from uk. What does GP need to do about these please thanks

Ferritin 12 (15 - 150)

Folate 2.8 (4.6 - 18.7)

Vitamin B12 153 (180 - 900)

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Allie1988

The neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may include:

 Numbness and tingling of the arms and more commonly the legs

 Difficulty walking

 Loss of balance

 Hands feel gloved with loss of sensitivity

 Loss of vibration sense, having to look down to see where you are walking

 Unable to close your eyes and stand on one foot

 Night vision

 Memory loss

 Disorientation

 Dementia

 Extreme mood changes

 Short term memory loss

If you have any of the above neurological symptoms make a list of them 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...

Has your GP seen these results or were they done privately?

I'm not a medically trained person but there are others on here who will be able to give you further advice.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

a) start treating B12 deficiency (assuming that you are symptomatic) - and not put it all down to thyroid which is a possibiltiy as the list of symptoms overlaps considerably

treatment depends on whether you have neurological symptoms or not

without neuro is 2 x 3weeks of loading injections followed by 3 monthy maintenance

with neuro is 2x3weekly until symptoms stop improving (review at 3 weeks) followed by 2 monthy maintenance

per UK guideline

b) start treating the folate deficiency - 5000mcg tables 24-48 hours after your first B12 shot

c) confirm iron deficiency by reviewing full blood count and other iron measures and then start treating iron deficiency - likely to be tablets

d) investigate the possible absorption problem that has caused the multiple deficiencies - possibilities include: PA, coeliacs, crohn's, gastric surgery (affecting ileum in case of B12), low stomach acidity, drug interactions, h pylori infections (treatable so might not need maintenance shots) ...