Daughter’s low B12 - what to do

[pydge]

Hi my 15 year old daughter has just had a blood test showing low B12. Told I need a routine telephone appt with doc - still waiting 9 days later although I’ve chased them up a few times now. I am also B12 deficient, probably due to other digestive issues (chronic pancreatitis, atrophic gastritis) and have 8-weekly injections. At least 1 relative had an autoimmune disease and was B12 deficient, possibly 2. I’ve seen a few people say don’t start treatment until properly diagnosed but also some who say start treatment straight away to stop further damage. What’s best for her? Her GCSEs are coming up and she’s too exhausted to revise after being in school all day - if she even gets there!

[fbirder]

Get to talk with the doctor ASAP. Demand treatment with a course of injections. Unless your daughter is vegetarian/vegan. If so then start on supermarket B12 tablets ASAP.

[pydge in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for the advice - update is that her folate is low and we were given wrong info. Not diet related either - lots of chicken fish meat and cereals

[Marz in reply to pydge]

May be worth considering that supplementing Folate can mask B12 deficiency. Do you know her B12 result ? Always obtain copies of results with ranges so you can monitor progress and check what has been missed ! They are legally yours ...

Ferritin and VitD may also be low - Ferritin good mid-range and VitD around 100.

[pydge in reply to Marz]

B12 was 200ng/l ref range 250-620

Folate was 2.9ug/l ref range 3.1-19.8

Ferritin was 31ug/l ref range 15-200

The only other one out of range was MCHC 357g/l ref range 315-350

No vit D measured.

Any ideas?

[Marz in reply to pydge]

So B12 is below range and should be treated immediately.

Ferritin is low - needs to be mid-range but I have also read around 70 is good.

As Folate - B12 - Ferritin are all low in range it would suggest an absorption issue or low stomach acid. As others have said B12 injections would be best.

Treating low Ferritin - stored iron - is slower. I would ask GP for a Full Iron Profile if it has not been done.

I would also ask for VitD to be tested as that could be low. It's more than a vitamin - it is a steroidal anti-inflammatory pro-hormone needed in every cell of the body ...

Good diet does not always work if there are absorption issues due to low stomach acid.

I have a B12 issue due to surgery - others here have more experience with B12 and PA. Hope all goes well for your daughter.

[Nackapan]

One of my daughters was missed being b12 deficient. If left untreated she will just get more poorly.

Start immediately on b12 tablets. If it's her diet these will kick in.

As adive by fbirder see Gp asap.

How low is her b12?

[pydge in reply to Nackapan]

Unbelievably I’ve now spoken to the doctor and it’s her folate that’s low, not B12. We have lodged a complaint with the doctor. We have a prescription for folic acid 5mg per day for 2 months then repeat bloods. I voiced concerns about the history of PA but she dismissed it. Thinking of getting sublingual B12 anyway just in case.

[fbirder in reply to pydge]

If there is a B12 deficiency then taking mega-doses of folic acid may be harmful. Before starting on it get a copy of your results for the B12 to make sure there really isn't a possibility of being deficient. Being just at the bottom of the 'normal' range doesn't rule out a B12 deficiency.

Taking oral B12 can only help, not harm.

[Nackapan in reply to pydge]

Yes very wise and will do no harm to In crease her levels if shs can absorb them.

[Nackapan in reply to Nackapan]

Were the b12 results yoh were given and posted wrong then?

[pydge in reply to Nackapan]

No but when read off screen and given to me over phone, I think receptionist read across 2 lines, so her B12 is in “normal” range according to doctor and it’s only folate that’s low but Marz has said in another reply that that is still too low

[Kgest in reply to pydge]

You should get another opinion on what the minimum optimal range is For children. Being in the range means absolutely nothing. I was in the range ( but very low normal twice and had neuropathy and overwhelming fatigue).

Two neurologist confirmed that despite of the absence of anemia a minimal B12 level should be -at least 400 for adults ( the normal low reference range is 230ish). There area lot of studies on that too.

Unfortunately some doctors are not aware of that.

Folate can be low if you are a carrier of the MTHFR gene mutation....that means you need true Folate thru Whole Foods or folate supplements. Folic acid supplements or foods fortified with FA would be useless as the body with that mutation can’t convert FA into Folate.

Good luck and well wishes

[Nackapan in reply to pydge]

Oh I see. Yes low. Hope she was able to absorb b12 from tablets and is feeling some benefit now.

[sbadd]

I feel for you my daughter was too , low on b12 18 months ago she was 13 at the time, she was suffering with upset stomach , fatigue and at one point could not walk straight, she was pale and skinny and was missing heaps of school and when she did go came home exhausted and would put herself to bed, she was given 6 loading doses of b12 over 2 week's and iron supplement for a little while as serum iron was low, she regularly has a 3 month maintenance injection, she also had the instrinic factor test for PA which came back positive to one part of test, i can say 18 months on and her going on 15 atm she is a different child, she has put on weight , has colour to her cheeks, socialises with friends and even now has a part time job, shes now doing what she should be doing for a teen, its heartbreaking seeing your child at such a young age go thru this, i hope your daughter gets the treatment she needs, autoimmune also runs in my family i have hashimotis and pray both my daughters dont get, good luck