B12/thyroid?

[MckenziiJo]

Hi, this is my first post. I had my 2nd B12 injection done in June, they are every 3 months. I seem to feel an improvement in symptoms a couple of weeks or so after the injection has been done; however, even though my next injection isn't due for a little over a month I have been getting some symptoms that are causing me concern?

Periods literally bleeding me dry, dry skin all over my back and face and legs, hair loss, thyroid area painful sometimes, hard stool, loss of appetite, fluctuating weight, nighttime sweats, breathlessness, needing to take in a deep breath sometimes, feeling cold, splitting nails, anxiety, fatigue, early morning awakening. Just wondering if it's more than just a possible B12 issue and that it could be my thyroid? I also had an iron infusion done on Monday and I was really tired and yawning a lot after it, I am wondering if maybe the infusion has unmasked my hypothyroidism?

Thank you for reading

Jo

x

[Gambit62 Administrator]

have you had thyroid hormones and antibodies checked? and do you have the results from the test that identified that you were B12 deficient? If you don't then it would be good to get hold of a copy for your records.

Recovering from a B12 deficiency depends on which of the processes that use B12 is causing your symptoms - some take months - others can be instantaneous - and some will take a lot longer than a few months. Some people feel better quickly - others it can be six months before they notice a difference.

Did you just have one injection in June and no loading doses? Normally should have at least 6 loading doses over 2 weeks followed by going on to three months if following UK protocol for treatment of B12 absorption problem without neurological involvement. If you didn't have loading shots then you may well not have enough B12 to be able to recover.

Heavy periods likely to be a sign rather than a cause of iron deficiency (know that sounds the wrong way round but iron deficiency and periods are a bit of a catch 22 situation in that respect).

[MckenziiJo in reply to Gambit62]

I don't know what my latest thyroid levels are but my antibodies are 607 (<34) and I was underactive back in December 2017

The test that identified me as low B12 was 335 (190 - 900)

I had no loading doses and just the one injection in June.

Iron deficiency was sorted this week

Thanks

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to MckenziiJo]

see you have posted on TUK - would be good to let them know what treatment if any you are receiving for thyroid - looks like you have hashis from the antibodies and probably need proper treatment for this as well as B12 and iron deficiency. All can take a while to correct and both thyroid and B12 absorption problems have a tendency to go undertreated. B12 isn't going to resolve thyroid problem - you'll need to give details of the exact tests and results (including ranges)

[MckenziiJo in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you yes, I am taking 125mcg from 100mcg Levothyroxine.

[MckenziiJo in reply to Gambit62]

All I have are TSH 4.60 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 15.7 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.4 (3.1 - 6.8) and I am waiting on July's still. Thanks

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to MckenziiJo]

suggest you add these to post on TUK if not done already.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Gambit62]

if you have a B12 absorption problem chances are that you will have problems absorbing levo properly and be at the higher end of dose requirements. You may also benefit from taking levo with something slightly acidic rather than with water.