Low b12 heart palpitation

[ShaneWarne]

Hi Everyone,

I am 27 years old male. I have been experiencing variety of symptoms since the last 3 months. I had a flu and then some gastric problems (black stool) 3 months ago and since then I have been experiencing heart palpitation (fast hear rate) specially when I eat my meal, high blood pressure, dizziness, burning diarrhea (on and off), chest pain, inside tremors.

I have lost 18kg weight in these 3 months and it still decreasing.

I have done ECG 3 times which came back normal except fast heart rate (120 bpm). Stool test came back normal, Kidney function normal, Liver function normal, celiac test normal, CRP level normal, viscosity normal, Magnesium normal.

My GP is now thinking of referring me to a Cardiologist and Gastroenterology.

I was going through my previous test results and just found out that my B12 level was 171 ng/L [220.0 - 700.0] in 2017 and my gp never told me about this. Is it very low OR borderline? Is this b12 causing all the problem I am experiencing from the last 3 months?

Please also have a look of my recent Full blood count:

Total white blood count 8.8 x10^9/L [4.0 - 11.0]

Red blood cell count 4.66 x10^12/L [4.5 - 6.5]

Haemoglobin concentration 142 g/L [130.0 - 180.0]

Haematocrit 0.416 L/L [0.4 - 0.54]

Mean cell volume 89 fL [80.0 - 99.0]

Mean cell haemoglobin level 30.4 pg [27.0 - 32.0]

Platelet count - observation 402 x10^9/L [140.0 - 400.0]

Outside reference range

Neutrophil count 7.39 x10^9/L [1.5 - 7.5]

Monocyte count - observation 0.30 x10^9/L [0.2 - 0.8]

Eosinophil count - observation 0.01 x10^9/L [0.04 - 0.4]

Outside reference range

Basophil count 0.02 x10^9/L [0.02 - 0.1]

Lymphocyte count 1.11 x10^9/L [1.0 - 4.0]

Nucleated red blood cell count < 0.20 x10^9/L [0.0 - 0.2]

P.S My H Pylori test came back Positive but my gp said H Pylori symptoms is different to my symptoms and said almost 50% of the world population has H pylori.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

It certainly sounds as if you probably have something going on with the gut.

The results of serum B12 are extremely difficult to interpret partly because the test is only accurate to 20% anyway so you could well have been deficient.

There isn't any sign of anaemia in your blood work - B12 deficiency is associated with a type of anaemia in which red blood cells are larger and rounder than normal. Medics can have a tendency to think that anaemia has to be present for someone to be B12 deficient but actually 20%+ present without any signs of anaemia.

H pyrlori infection will cause B12 deficiency.

However, B12 deficiency tends to develop extremely slowly - years or even decades - folate deficiency has similar symptoms but tends to come on very quickly - though the symptoms you are describing are mainly those of a gut disorder rather than the wide ranging effects of not having enough Folate/B12 to run processes in cells that create red bloods cells, and regulate nerve function, energy release etc.

The items form the full blood count that are out of range seem to be white cells - which could be the result of an infection.

[ShaneWarne in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you so much for your information. I have just managed to find out my previous full blood count. Please see the differences:

Total white blood count 5.8 10*9/L [4.0 - 11.0] 2014

Total white blood count 5.0 x10^9/L [4.0 - 11.0] 2015

Total white blood count 5.3 x10^9/L [4.0 - 11.0] 2016

Total white blood count 8.8 x10^9/L [4.0 - 11.0] 2019

Neutrophil count 2.69 10*9/L [2.0 - 7.0] 2014

Neutrophil count 2.52 x10^9/L [1.5 - 7.5] 2015

Neutrophil count 3.19 x10^9/L [1.5 - 7.5] 2016

Neutrophil count 7.39 x10^9/L [1.5 - 7.5] 2019

Eosinophil count - observation 0.09 10*9/L [0.0 - 0.5] 2014

Eosinophil count - observation 0.14 x10^9/L [0.04 - 0.4] 2015

Eosinophil count - observation 0.11 x10^9/L [0.04 - 0.4] 2016

Eosinophil count - observation 0.01 x10^9/L [0.04 - 0.4] 2019

Lymphocyte count 2.56 10*9/L [1.0 - 3.0] 2014

Lymphocyte count 1.98 x10^9/L [1.0 - 4.0] 2015

Lymphocyte count 1.65 x10^9/L [1.0 - 4.0] 2016

Lymphocyte count 1.11 x10^9/L [1.0 - 4.0] 2019

Red blood cell numbers are more or less the same each year. What other test should I request my GP to find out if I still have an active infection? as my GP is completely clueless and have no idea.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to ShaneWarne]

sorry but this isn't my area.

I think you'd be better off asking for a referral to a gastrologist.

[pvanderaa]

H. Pylori causes ulcers and keeps them from healing. Suspect you had a bleed into your gut hence the black stools. Hemacrit is low which I believe means you don’t have enough oxygen carrying capacity but I’m not medically trained.

When I had a similar situation before they could operate to fix the ulcer, they had to be careful not to give me too many fluids in case they diluted my blood and the hemacrit count dropped.

You need B12 as you are very low and it will help your body create more red blood cells and mature the Macrocysts that is causing your mean cell volume to be high.

You need to find a Dr who knows what is going on. Even though a large percentage of people the population may have H. Pylori doesn’t mean they shouldn’t treat you.

Have they done and endoscopy and taken a biopsy to rule out anything more sinister, although from my experience, there really isn’t anything more sinister than B12 deficiency and pernicious (deadly) anaemia.

[ShaneWarne in reply to pvanderaa]

Thank you for your reply. Yes my GP is going to refer me to a Gastrologist for an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy.

I am not experiencing any pain in my stomach or acidity, only nausea sometimes. That's the reason my GP is not taking H pylori seriously.

[pvanderaa in reply to ShaneWarne]

Nausea can arise from neurological damage to balance nerves in the ears or from damage to the vagus nerve.

Once you are on B12 supplements or injections then healing of nerve damage can cause the same symptoms as the brain gets stronger signals.

[rr1993]

Hi! I’m a 25 year old female. I was experiencing heart palpitations and flutters every single day for 6 months. Finally had an ECG and the result came back normal but fast heart rate (sinus tacchardyia) I then had a full blood count which showed I was low on Iron, low on folate and my b12 levels were 151. I had 6 loading injections every other day and I have two iron supplements a day and a folic acid supplement a day. I am now about 3 months in and I can honestly say I can’t remember the last time I felt a palpitation! So I know that is what caused them! Hope you feel better

[BiancaB12]

Hi, it sounds like you've been dealing with a lot, but it's good that you are actively searching for answers. I'm not medically trained, but your B12 sounds low to me. Some of your symptoms could be attributed to low B12, such as dizziness, heart palpitations (I used to have heart PVC's but after B12 injections that has diminished significantly), diarrhea/constipation, tremors/ neurological symptoms, including heart neurological problems. Though the stool test came back normal for you, it may be good to repeat that some time, because parasites can also cause low B12 (fish tapeworm can reduce B12 by about 80%) and digestive issues, and they don't always show up on the first stool test. The upper endoscopy should be able to show whether there is gastritis. It wouldn't hurt to try loading doses of B12 and see how you feel. Hydration with electrolytes is also important if you're still having diarrhea. Also, it is possible to have PA or low B12 without large red blood cells (macrocytosis). Certain medications and even herbal supplements can cause some of the symptoms; I would hope that your docs have evaluated that possibility. Hope you gain clarity and feel better soon!

[aimahead]

I had a irregular Heart beat a few years ago..I stopped taken Statins and only Drunk Decafe tea and Coffee..Its okey now for my age as I see Doctors Regulary now for Other things and get Checked out..Also my wife has White Coat Syndrome when she goes to see the Doctor her Heart an Blood Pressure goes wild.I do hope you get better ..

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I have some similar symptoms.

Daily diarrhoea and heart arrythmia.

Was told that I have a slow heartbeat when monitored for a minor operation on my shoulder, but often get a fast thumping heartbeat. It often wakes me up at night with a jump, as if I've heard a loud noise (but didn't). Have also noticed that it occurs after eating dinner. More frequent lately.

Not sure what that is at all, but will ask the specialist that I'm seeing today if I get the chance; consultant in metabolic diseases. Will let you know.

Seems a sensible idea to see both cardiologist and gastroenterologist.

[ShaneWarne in reply to Cherylclaire]

Thank you so much. Please keep me updating, looks like we both have similar symptoms.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to ShaneWarne]

Sorry, ShaneWarne - disappointing news:

Original specialist still off on sabbatical, and no results available from DNA tests after 13 months - so only offered another set of blood tests ( liver function etc.) and dieticians' questions - both of these a repeat of previous tests and questions. I will get sent results.

Was also offered a telephone appointment when DNA results found, but partner had to explain that cognitive and memory problems would make this difficult for me. So getting another appointment in 2 months, and hopefully won't have to have time off work this time, as still on a phased return and only doing 2 days a week.

Don't think that they have met anyone that self-injects at my frequency- or perhaps no-one willing to admit it to them ! She did seem to want to find a cause for raised MMA (consistently between 350 - 400nmol/L - with a normal range of 0-280 nmol/L) but said that if they don't, that may well be my "normal".

[MMA is supposed to drop soon after loading injections- who can possibly say now what my normal was before February 2016 ?]

It was not an entire waste of time, but I no longer believe I will get the answers I need from this source. Frustrating. Will let you know more when/if I get more info.

If my fast heartbeat continues, I'll go to GP.

I hope you have better luck with specialists - don't leave it, okay?

[Zengirl65]

Your story sounds familiar as what I have been though I have chronic Lyme Disease which caused many of the symptoms you mentioned and recently found out I have PA but do not have the anemia. I had low B12 so my dr did a couple tests to find out if my b12 was low due to autoimmune and tests came back positive for that. I did not do well with injections and some people have done well with sublingual so taking a high form of a substantial now daily we believe having Lyme disease was a underlying cause of why I have this now. Lyme disease can cause many other problems and low b12 is one of them and definitely lots of GI problems on top of all of the symptoms you mentioned... sad part is getting tested for Lyme disease is not as simple as the tests are not reliable! Seeing a lyme literate dr is very important to have the correct testing and treatment for lyme and treating the b12 is very serious! It has helped my fatigue and palpitations quite a bit!!

[pvanderaa]

What’s your favorite food? Sounds like a dumb question but you can build up a tolerance to something you are or have become allergic to. You eat some every day and so don’t notice a reaction.

Have you tried going gluten and dairy free? Some gut issues lead to sensitivity that you didn’t have in the past.

Start a logbook of all your food and drink and meds as well as symptoms. The onset of a symptom can be delayed 3 to 72 hours as whatever you have become allergic to (call it a toxin) makes its way through your gut and then through the hepatic loop (small intestine, portal vein, liver, bile, duodenum and back around into the gut).

As you experiment with various foods, stop eating it completely for two weeks to allow your body to get rid of it and detoxify the hepatic loop. Then reintroduce once and monitor your symptoms over three days to determine your sequence and pattern of symptoms to confirm that you have an issue with that food item.