3 year old daughter - B12/folate deficiency

[Kellie2203]

Hi I am posting on behalf of my 3 year old daughter, she has iron deficiency but not on iron. Also has underactive thyroid and Hashimotos. Plan to see GP tomorrow to ask why no action has been taken on below results. Advice before then appreciated thankyou

Folate *2.2 (2.5 - 19.5 ug/L)

Vitamin B12 *186 (190 - 900 pg/L)

[clivealive Forum Support]

Wow Kellie2203 I would DEMAND why no action has been taken as with her "underactive thyroid and Hashimoto's" her doctor should know that your daughter is at risk of developing the Vitamin B12 deficiency she already has together with both Folate and Iron deficiencies.

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.

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

symptoms related to anaemia

reduced sense of taste

diarrhoea

numbness and tingling in the feet and hands

muscle weakness

depression

Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body and your daughter's B12 levels are at the very bottom of the range.

We are born with a few years "store" of B12 in the liver and it looks as if your daughter has an absorption problem with her digestive system and so isn't "topping it up" from her food. Does she eat meat, fish, eggs, poultry and dairy produce? What about her "greens" sprouts, broccoli, spinach, peas, beans etc?

Does you daughter have many muscular type pains? I guess that is difficult to ascertain or for her to explain, but there are so many neurological symptoms associated with a B12 deficiency.

I'm not a medically trained person and don't know what the treatment protocol is for someone so young but I would DEMAND she be treated 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...

As I say I'm not a medic and there are others on here who will be able to give you good advice.

I wish you well and my heart goes out to you both.

[JMN2017]

Hi Kellie2203

I reinforce all that clivealive has advised. This is a very serious situation but, unfortunately, too many doctors just don't seem to recognise.

Both Folate and B12 are low and, in my opinion (not a medic), should be treated. Maybe ask for a referral to the Paediatric team. You have a right to a 'second opinion', ie referral to hospital.

I do hope you get some action from your GP. Please keep us up to date Good luck

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I would suggest contacting PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society) soon.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no [phone] answerphone so messages can be left.

I think it is a very difficult situation to be in and would recommend seeking support, parents can sometimes be labelled as difficult when trying to get help for their children. There are stories on Martyn Hooper's blog about this.

martynhooper.com/

There is a lot of useful information on B12 deficiency Info website.

b12deficiency.info/

UK B12 documents

BMJ B12 article

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

B12 books

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society). Book is up to date with UK B12 guidelines.

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies including children.

"Could it Be B12; An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive book about B12 deficiency with lots of case studies including children.

There is a paediatric version of above book "Could It Be B12? Paediatric Edition: What Every Parent Needs to Know"

I am not medically trained.

[Sleepybunny in reply to Sleepybunny]

Hi again,

A link about children and B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/children...

Link about writing letters to doctors about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...