chronic FATIGUE HELP!

4th time being to my gp. Long story short they done all my bloods told me their ok folates a little low gave me folic acid won’t do no more tests told me all my symptoms are now down to chronic fatigue which basically sounds a load of crap has anyone had this he’s putting my symptoms which have been for over 2 year and got lot worse of memory loss fatigue muscle weakness the list is endless down to this

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Hidden you are actually Folate deficient.

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.

Hopefully you will feel the benefit of folic acid supplementation. Are you able to eat plenty of green vegetables as they are a natural source of folate.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[Hidden in reply to clivealive]

Yes I’m now taking folic acid and b12 and trying to eat as well as I can reguards to green veg meat ect how long would it take for my symptoms to improve do you think as my doctor seems to think folates are not causing my symptoms it’s just chronic fatigue

[bdole2018 in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately; it's hard to say where folate deficiency end and ME/CFS begins. Both conditions have multiple overlapping symptoms. B12, iron and folate deficiencies are quite common in the ME/CFS cohort but often are not the whole underlying cause. In any case; it is important that you continue to ensure you get adequate folate supplements.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Hidden]

Unless it was on page 2 I didn't see whether your Vitamin D was tested,

Lower level Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a number of non-specific symptoms, including possibly chronic fatigue (experts have for many years noted an association between sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalitis (CFS or ME) and low blood levels of Vitamin D).

It has been estimated that between 50-70% of people living in the northern Europe (where daylight length reduces your chances of receiving adequate sunlight in the winter) are deficient in this vitamin by March each year. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include chronic pain, weak bones, frequent infections (recent research has detected an association between vitamin D deficiency and severe pneumonia), depression and fatigue.

It may be that as your Folate level improves it will help your B12 to work repairing any nerve damage causing your neurological symptoms.

Please remember I am not a medically trained person.

[Ryaan in reply to Hidden]

You should be on 5mg Folic Acid and takes at least 2-3 weeks to notice improvement.

Folic Acid makes a big difference.

Another symptom of low Folate is shortness of breath.

Iron and B12 should also be at good level.

Sometimes Vit D can make a difference so also good to maintain good levels.

[Ryaan in reply to Hidden]

Sorry forgot to mention Thyroid function test should have also been done. Unless you have had a test. That can also cause fatigue.

[Sleepybunny]

"they done all my bloods told me their ok"

I am not medically trained.

As well as low folate, I note that your C reactive protein level is above range. What has GP said about this?

patient.info/health/blood-t...

Link about folate deficiency

patient.info/doctor/folate-...

B12 deficiency is sometimes misdiagnosed as ME/CFS.

b12deficiency.info/misdiagn...

martynhooper.com/2018/02/10...

It is possible to have B12 deficiency symptoms with a b12 result that is within range.

In UK, emphasis is on treating people who are symptomatic for b12 deficiency even if b12 level is within range.

B12 Deficiency Symptoms

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Risk Factors for PA and B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

b12deficiency.info/who-is-a...

More B12 info

1) See pinned posts on this forum.

2) B12 books (think they also mention folate)

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and 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.

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

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.

3) B12 websites

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK but has members around world.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no [phone] answerphone

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

B12 Awareness (USA website)

b12awareness.org/

There are many conditions that have symptoms that overlap with those of ME/CFS.

Have you had tests for Coeliac disease? Thyroid problems? Lyme disease? Other auto-immune conditions?

Are you in UK? I'm asking because treatment for B12 deficiency varies between countries.

If yes to UK, then I suggest reading all the following documents.

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

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

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

BMJ B12 article

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

BNF

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

NICE CKS

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width

I also note that your red blood cell distribution width is close to top of range. Did GP comment on this? A RDW above range could indicate possibility of red blood cells being a wide range of sizes.

Blood tests

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Macrocytosis

patient.info/doctor/macrocy...

Full Blood Count and Blood Film

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests... See section on "What test result means"

patient.info/doctor/periphe...

Folate Deficiency

patient.info/doctor/folate-...

Unhappy with Treatment (UK info)?

Letters to GPs about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

CAB NHS Complaints

citizensadvice.org.uk/healt...

HDA patient care trust

UK charity that offers free second opinions on medical diagnoses and medical treatment.

hdapatientcaretrust.com/

I wish you luck with finding answers.