B12 injection causing Changes to periods?

[Itchyislander]

I have just called for a Doctors appointment with the only Doctor in my surgery that seems to know anything about B12, and I cant get an appointment until 11th March. Has anyone had any changes to periods after an injection? I had my injection last Thursday while on my period- this period is now going on for a long time- 10 days and counting. Of course the anxiety side of B12 is making me worry about all sorts! It seems I've reached 35 and everything in my body is going wrong!

[greenbexy]

Have you had your iron checked recently? Low iron can actually cause heavier periods! Mine have changed in the frequency, I used to be bang on 28 day cycle before injections, now it's sometimes 35 days. Very annoying! Has doctor checked thyroid, too?

[Itchyislander in reply to greenbexy]

Yes I have had my thyroid checked by blood test and all seems ok. My dad has Hashimotos, so its the first thing I was tested for. They tested my B12 the other day and said that and 'everything else' was fine...unsure what everything else includes. I am always on the low side with Iron

[greenbexy in reply to Itchyislander]

Unfortunately NHS blood testing for thyroid is very limited, only bare minimum. It's my understanding that, by the time gp has picked up any thyroid problems, you can be quite ill. On the thyroid forum they usually suggest private testing of all the thyroid hormones. Might be worth checking that forum out on here health unlocked. Sorry rubbish at links, my teenagers aren't here to help me with it! Also with your dad having Hashimotos you could be more susceptible to thyroid problems.

[Itchyislander in reply to greenbexy]

Thanks I will take a look at private testing. Ive had quite a few NHS blood tests for it and before I found B12 it seems all my symptoms pointed to that. The B12 jabs have sorted many issues- however created new ones!

[greenbexy in reply to Itchyislander]

Yes, I was convinced it was my thyroid was what was wrong with me, (my mother has underactive thyroid) but two years down the line of injections I'm starting to feel much better, not lost any weight mind you! But definitely better, it might just take time for your body to adjust to the B12. Have a look at your previous tests, I think NHS only look at TSH and free T4 which doesn't always give an accurate picture of the thyroid.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

my experience was that periods became more regular and less heavy when I started on B12.

B12 deficiency can cause a false menopause - as can being hypothyroid.

[Foxtrot89]

As others have suggested, get your thyroid properly checked. By properly I mean TSH, Free T4, Free T3, thyroid antibodies, iron & ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12.

My TSH and T4 have never been that far out of range but with the proper testing I found Hashimotos, which explained my constant fatigue and irregular periods (they can be anywhere from 14 days to 50+ and last 2-3 days or up to 10, and be very heavy or very light, truly irregular in all manner of ways!)

[Foxtrot89 in reply to Foxtrot89]

Oh and folate needs testing too. Thought I’d forgotten something