Possible pernicious Anaemia

[SLM81]

Hi folks, I was advised by the thyroid group to add a post here as some of my levels are low, I’m not sure all what I need to add here but here are some of my results if someone could advise me and I’ll add these in thank you x

My b12 is 225

Folate is now 20 but have been on 5mg tablet a day since September 2017 before that it was 2.

My ferritin is 32

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi SLM81 If you have thyroid problems they may put you at risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Your level of Vitamin B12 @ 222 in April 2018 <range 191-663> will have been flagged as "NORMAL" (I hate that word) although near the bottom end.

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

Do your symptoms match any of those above?

The British Society for Haematology guidelines say on the Diagnosis of B12 and Folate Deficiency "In the presence of discordance between the test result and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment".

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j...

Make a list of your symptoms and present this to your doctor and ask him to treat you according to your symptoms and (perhaps) even start you on loading doses "until there is no further improvement" 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...

If possible take someone with you who can validate your neurological symptoms as the doctor is less likely to pooh pooh you in front of a witness.

I am not a medically trained person so cannot comment on your thyroid issues and any of their symptoms which may be similar to those of B12 deficiency.

I wish you well.

[SLM81 in reply to clivealive]

Thanks for replying, I am extremely weak and exhausted just now worst it’s actually ever been, palpations but not all the time, but I think these are the same for hashimotos my cortisol is sky high aswell so adrenal problems look likely. My gp has actually been great so I’ll definitely mention it at my next appointment she’s testing all my bloods again next week x