Advice needed please

[Tweddelly]

Hi, my husband recently had his B12 levels checked after a routine blood test came back with a value of 9 ug/L serum ferritin levels. Is this low?

His b12 reading was 266 ng/L which is on the low side. The docs are sending him for more tests plus investigations on his bowels, ie, camera.

He has also had liver function blood test and a full blood count and the new test he will have include diabetes, bone marrow, etc.

Can anyone advise please what the next steps should be once we have the results.

He is tired, more tired than usual, can’t lose weight (but that’s always been a struggle anyway), very chapped lips, a little pale looking but he eats a relatively healthy diet, drinks a little more than I would like but nothing unusual (I don’t drink so one drink is too many in my eyes).

We are worried a little as the doc can’t understand that some levels are normal (serum folate) but other tests show he is anaemic.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

[Nackapan]

Ferriton levels are low (I'm not a medic) But that csn be sorted usually by diet or supplements. He is is being tested to eliminate things which is good.

Meanwhile sounds like you need to know what the plan is.

Sorry can't be of more help. Important to ask the the right questions to the doctor. I.e what are they checking for

Is the low ferriton levels being treated

Hope he gets a treatment plan soon as so stressful nnnot knowing

[Tweddelly in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you.

[Nackapan]

I have replied

[fbirder]

Ferritin is low and will need treating, probably with iron tablets. The doc will probably prescribe iron sulfate. This form of iron can be difficult to absorb. You can improve that by taking it with citric acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - I used to use Tesco fizzy Vitamin C. But I would recommend asking the doc to prescribe iron fumarate.

B12 may be a little low - depends on the range for the assay used.

[Tweddelly in reply to fbirder]

Thank you.