Can I ask what your symptoms are?

[rustydog]

I’ve not felt right for quite some time but have always put that down to anaemia which I’ve had for the last 3/4 years, my levels have been around 9. However, I’ve just changed GP and they checked my levels, they have gone up to 10.7 which GP says is fine now it’s nearer to the recommended level of 11 (I’ve been taking Spatone regularly , couldn’t take anything else because it would make my IBS symptoms worse). But I still have the same symptoms, I asked the GP if they tested my B12 levels and thyroid but they haven’t!

These are my symptoms:-

Tiredness and feeling lethargic, no energy.

Weak feeling (like low blood sugar) but still have strength

Feeling breathless although I can breath ok (if that makes any sense)

Achy, like after a workout

IBS (lots of gastric issues)

Very anxious all the time and very low mood

Heart feels like its racing, especially after eating?!

Tinnitus (had mri but all ok)

Very heavy periods

Sometimes have cracks in the corners of my mouth (a few days of eating marmite seems to clear this

Just getting fed up of feeling off.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi rustydog

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

Your IBS may put you at risk of developing a B12 deficiency and I would suggest you ask to have your serum B12 and Folate levels checked.

It is important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12.

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.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 45 years.

I wish you well

[rustydog]

Thank you, that is most helpful. I will definitely ask for these to be tested.

[Jotk9]

What does mean from tingling?

[yukithehamster]

Hi rustydog

For me I have vague symptoms for about 10 yrs. Mainly most troubling is with digestion. I feel nausea and bloated everytime after eating. I have sensitivity to bright lights which makes me nausea and giddy. My FBC mostly are normal except for MCV is about in range of 97 to 99. My hb, total wbc, platelet are normal. My ESR for a long time as much as 10 years have very rarely being normal. Mostly in range of 30 to 80. My thyroid panel so far is normal. I have not test for hashimoto yet but will plan to do that.

Today I received my lab result which for the first time I see my anti-parietal cell antibody as positive, anti-intrinsic factor antibody is negative. My B12 serum since 10 years ago was 200. A few months ago I tested was 150 and this month it was 170. I have never done anti-parietal cell antibody before because the GP said it is low risk for me.

I am a chinese ethnic group. I am waiting to repeat the blood tests and take B12 injection if required and also for a gastroscope.

Take care!

[Jotk9]

I have had hair loss n premature grey hairs,, tiredness from last 6-7 years but never noticed or I must say never cared about it.. But from last 2 months several symptoms just pop up.. Numbness,, vibration in whole body,, rapid heartbeat,, pain in every nerve,, pain in chest and back.. Pain in thighs,, numbness in forehead and nose,,,beep in ears... Cant open both eyes in bright light.. Im tired 😕

[Sharcott]

In my opinion 100% B12 d Sometimes have cracks in the corners of my mouth.

[Ryaan]

B12 injections also get rid of IBS and depression.

Make sure Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamin D give u similar symptoms....seems like you’re low on Vit D.

These 4 give you similar symptoms.

I had same problems and started self injecting, kept a diary of symptoms and noticed they return in 3rd week after last injection so I self inject every 2 weeks....problems gone.

I take 400ug Folic Acid daily and take high dose Vitamin Aldo as they were on low side. You may need to take Iron as you’re having heavy bleeding but too much Iron is no good so take doctors recommendation with Iron.

[Ryaan]

Looking at your symptoms it definitely sounds like low b12 and oral supplementation will take ages to get your levels high enough to get rid of those symptoms. It will be hard for you to get your doc to give you right treatment for low B12. Self injecting is best, easy and cheap and quickest way to get rid of those symptoms.

It’s definitely B12, Folic Acid, Iron or B12. One of these 4. Get these 4 checked and also Thyroid test as Thyroid problems make u very tired.

Achy, like after a workout.....Vit D.

IBS (lots of gastric issues)...low B12.

Very anxious all the time and very low mood.....low B12.

Heart feels like its racing, especially after eating?!.....Folic Acid.....(together with Low Iron and low B12....,Vit D can help)

Tinnitus (had mri but all ok).....low B12.

Very heavy periods.....,Iron needed due to blood loss when heavy.

Tiredness and feeling lethargic, no energy.....Low B12

Weak feeling (like low blood sugar) but still have strength....Low B12.

Feeling breathless although I can breath ok (if that makes any sense....Low Folic Acid and Low B13.

Please note....when u inject B12 u need to take Folic Acid daily.

The symptoms overlap with these 4 things if any one is low. You need B12 injections

Doctor won’t give u proper treatment for low B12 so after testing levels it’s best to self inject. Will take about 3 months to feel better.

Wish u well.

[rustydog]

Thanks all. Ryan, is bit b12 widely available for self injection purposes? I will ask to be tested and take it from there.