Hello, my first post here. I hope you will be able to help me somehow, as my GP said there is no need to come back to the surgery as NHS cannot do anything more for me:-(. My problem is constant fatigue, lack of energy and some strange weakness/pain in my muscles (mostly arms and legs). Sometimes I cannot hold a cup of tea, or brush my teeth without any brake.
I have alo Hashimoto & depression for the last 7 yrs, both under control at the moment. I have been tested for B12 in November ( my result was 144), IF negative.
All other blood results were normal, except red blood cells- they are slightly too high (?).
I have received five b12 shots about 6 wks ago. The problem is I haven’t noticed any improvement then or now. My GP says I am not anaemic anymore ( tested my b12 two wks after treatment and b12 was over 2500) and he says it’s all in my head and doesn’t want to see my again about those symptoms. But I cannot work, cannot live like that. I have already reduced my working hours to two hours a day!
The big question is: could it be still b12 deficiency? Or maybe fibromyalgia or something not quite right with the thyroid?
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Cherrieagn
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Could you post your blood results so we can see what your situation is? We need to see the range and the units too. If you don't have the results, you should be able to ask the receptionist for a printed copy although there may be a small charge. Have you also had Folate, Ferritin and Vit D checked? Could you also include any test results re Thyroid function too?
We are all (in UK) entitled to any test results, including bloods. What the GP calls 'normal' isn't always what is really 'normal', or 'with range'. It's also very much about where on the range which may indicate something that needs further investigation
okay, so your GP is just that - a generalist - who knows very little about B12 and probably about the same about hypothyroidism.
Do you have the range for the B12 test?
Do you have any pins and needles/numbness that goes with the muscle weakness - really sounds as if you have neurological symptoms in which case the correct treatment would be loading doses 3x weekly until symptoms stop improving - with a review at 3 weeks - but if you haven't noticed a difference then that would seem to be the 3 week review.
B12 is used by several processes in the body - which includes the processes that make red blood cells, the processes that release energy in your muscles, the processes that recycle neurotransmitters and the processes that maintain the insulating layer around nerve cells - different processes take different lengths of time to recur.
IFA being negative is a long way from proving that you don't have PA as it gives false negatives 40-60% of the time depending on the exact test method. Serum B12 is a problematic test at the best of the time but is even worse after loading shots as normal range really doesn't apply any more.
It would be helpful if you had a full copy of blood tests - and it is possible that hashimotos may not be adequately controlled as well so would be good to post those results on the TUK forum.
If b12 is used to make red blood cells...how could you explain my high red blood count before b12 treatment? It doesn’t make any sense.
I would like to know if it’s still possible to be b12 deficient after b12 shots (b12 level over 2500 2 wks after last shot)? If yes, how could it be explained?
Without seeing the exact results its difficult to comment on what 'high red blood cell count' actually means. B12 deficiency will cause red blood cells to be larger and rounder than normal - as will folate deficiency.
2500 2 weeks after you last shot doesn't mean anything - except that you had a shot and your kidneys have removed quite a bit of it. The reading would have been off the measurable scale just after the reading.
It is possible to have lots of B12 in your blood but for very little of it to be getting through to your cells which is where it is used so serum B12 isn't a good test at this point.
Thanks for your all replies! Yes, I have some blood test results from December:
TSH 0.13 (low) (0.3-4.2)
ft4 19.5 (10.6-23.2)
TPO 17
IFA 1.6U/ml (0-5.9)
Haemoglobin 34 mmol/mol
Haemoglobin estimation 148g/l
Cholesterol 6.7 mmol/l (2.8-5) — high for the last 7 yrs
Basophil count 0.01 low (0.02-0.1)
White cell count 5.5 (4-10)
Red blood count 5.07 high (3.8-4.8) in March 2017 was high too : 4.9
Platelet 210 (150-400)
MCV 86 (78-104)
MCHC 338
MCH 29.2
October 2017
Rheumatoid factor <10
Serum folate 4 ug/l (3.9-26.8)
Vit b12 144ng/l low
Ferritin 45 (13-150)
Iron 14.4 umol/l
Sorry, don’t have all references. Yes, I can see now that my folate is slightly low.
What can I do to improve my health?
P.s. I don’t have any needles/numbness in my arms or legs. It’s a weakness rather - all seams to be too heavy for my muscles. So I guess it’s not neurological symptom.
High cholesterol used to be one of the markers for hypothyroidism before blood tests. Your body needs it somewhere I suggest. As Gambit has said, you really, really need your FT3 tested and the other antibodies - TGAb. What do you take for the Hashimotos and did you take it morning of your test?
Again, as stated, measuring your B12 serum after the loading injections is a waste of time - and they are told not to! They should be continued on until no further gain is seen.
Your folate is too low. do you know what your vitamin D is?
I keep an eye on both my Hashimotos and B12 d by using medichecks every few months. worth it. Be prepared to do lots of research and know more than nay of your doctors and be ready to push for what you need!
Thank you! I know it’s very difficult or even impossible, but I would like to know if it’s Hashimoto or b12 deficiency or maybe fibromyalgia or lupus etc.
There is also one thing that drives me crazy: an recurrent itch in the same place (on my leg) for years! It comes and goes, there is no rash, no dry skin and it is always exactly in the same place. Never asked GP, as it is too silly. Any idea what could it be?
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