B12 and ferritin

[Kimme1029]

So just curious.. As I continue to take my B12 lozenges(5000mcg) I noticed my ferritin goes lower. It got low enough that I have gone cold with freezing hands and feet, can't breathe, faster heart rate, losing clumps of hair, can't digest with low stomach acid. I have to make very sure to stay on my iron pills(low dose 25mg) and I start feeling better. My hair falls out less. I have slightly better digestion. I've not fully warned up yet but starting to.

Does the B12 use more iron by building new blood cells?

[Nackapan]

I've asked this several times too.

The answer has been no.

My ferritin dropped from 61 to 29

61 was when I was most b12 deficient at the start. Gradually went down to

29 on injections???

I've never needed to take iron before. I'm on ferrous fumerate 210 alternate days and solgar 20mg and spartane. I seem to be okay at 40 but hoping on next blood test up a bit to what I was before.

G.p prescribed higher dose ferrous fumerate with folic acid 320 .only managed one dose as made me feel ill

Had ferrous fumerate 210 mg every day for a few months

My symptoms when low.

I shake

Jittery

Hair loss

Breathless after slight exertion.

It seems to happen to quite alot of people.

Gp gave no explanation

I've taken iron for over a year now.

I've never been low on folate

So I cant answer tour question but only to say I'm the same

[Kimme1029 in reply to Nackapan]

Yes its getting frustrating to me. Months ago when my B12 and iron were on the floor low (severe malnutrition in general- Dr was horrified) I took a lower dose B12 and my 25mg iron bisglycinate(Solgar). My iron was raised to a nice healthy level. Ferritin 90. I was somewhat better but my B12 was low. So taking B12 I now MUST keep up with iron or the ferritin drops really fast. Once I stopped taking it, after 2 weeks it dropped to the 40s. Unbelievable. When my ferritin was 90 and healthy I still had ringing ears. Couldn't get it to stop but still had low zinc. Eventually my ears stopped ringing.

Now that my ferritin dropped again I was cold, freezing hands and feet, breathless, low stomach acid, and my ears are ringing again. Maybe that is the zinc again who knows.

It sure is interesting. I'm trying to space a few days between B12 lozenges to see if that impacts my iron issues less while still hopefully getting enough B12 to rebuild my stores.

I'm never sure about my folate. I have 400mcg methylfolate in my multi. I assume that's enough. My tests are never low.

Seems we have the exact same issue. Start with a good high ferritin and soon as we start the B12(When B12 is lowest) the ferritin drops.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

B12 does not directly affect iron.

However, if you have a B12 absorption problem then that can affect absorption of other minerals and vitamins - commonly iron and folate.

Please be aware though that ferritin is only one measure of iron status. Although it is quite good there have been cases where using it as a single measure have resulted in the patient overdosing on iron.

[Nackapan in reply to Gambit62]

My Gp is puzzled with this. I'm puzzled with this as an getting weary of no answers to anything.

She said it didnt make sense that when I was at my lowest b12 level and not absorbing b12 I was obviously at that time absorbing iron hence ferritin level 61. I had no megobalastic aneamia.

It made no sense to her when my levels started to drop on b12 treatment. Not bleeding. Stopped nurofen I case of tiny bleeds.

Folate always been fine. So absorbing that.

She said a haematologist would know? As iron so complex.

I've not seen one. No referral.

It happens to so many people as mentioned alot on here.

Which actually is reassuring even if the reason not known .

My Gp prescribed alot higher dose of iron than I can actually tolerate.

Aiming for a ferritin level between 50-80 if symptomatic below 50. This differs too between doctors.

One of my daughters was told the same.

Hers resolved in 4 months and a tweak to her diet ferritin from 30 -56. Hrn symptom free. Maintenance using Spartone 5mg only daily.

Another daughter ferritin 10 and apparently thyroid problems can often present with low ferritin. And visa versa. But told sub clinical hypothyroidism and not being treated for that orwith iron either??

I do realise as such a vast 'in range ' givrn people function well at different levels.

Seems as in b12 Gps dont have a full understanding of this and treat differently or not at all.

I will endeavour when the pandemic is under control and services resume to get a hematology appointment to get a better understanding.

May be about a year to wait though as non urgent .

Do you know what if any other vitamins stop iron being absorbed?

I'm aware caffeine can impede absorbtion.

Also vitamin c helps absorbtion of iron but thats all I know on this.

Any help appreciated.

I hope all well with you.

And everyone else in these especially difficult times with even less medical help.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Nackapan]

Nackapan caffeine inhibits absorption of just about everything.

I've never really looked into what stops absorption of iron. Iron can also inhibit the absorption of other things butotehr than that

[Sweetcheeks832 in reply to Gambit62]

Calcium prohibits iron absorption. To truly digest iron supplements, one would need vitamin c as the catalyst and ensure no dairy or calcium within a 2 hour time span before or after the iron.

[Kimme1029 in reply to Sweetcheeks832]

So many things can block iron absorption. Its crazy. Phytates, oxalates, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper. Iodine? Not sure.

I take iron bisglycinate(Solgar Gentle Iron) so because it's cheated I don't think it matters. I try to drink some orange juice with it when I take it just in case.

[Hidden]

As far as I am aware it is not B12 which affects the absorption of iron. Iron needs an acidic environment for best uptake which is why you are often advised to take it with Vit C or orange juice (ascorbic acid) . If you have PA you will have much less or no stomach acid as the parietal cells which make acid are compromised. That’s what happened to me, so badly I needed an iron infusion. It was unlikely to be B12 as I was injecting monthly at that time. I inject everything two days now and my iron is not affected. I know as I have had it checked every month. Hope this helps.

[Nackapan]

Okay thanks. Perhaps with less stomach acid

my b12 dropped first and iron was slower to drop??

Thinks lijethis drive me up the wall . I like answers lol

[Hidden in reply to Nackapan]

I know what you mean. I never really got a clear answer and so just related what happened to me in the hope it helps.