Anyone with B12 deficiency and subclinical hypothyroidism? Struggling to get GP to try treatment...

[Travelling922]

Hi there,

I've been unwell since January... Long list of symptoms including tingling in arms/legs, fatigue, hair loss, palpitations, breathlessness, insomnia, weight gain. Had initial bloods done back in January. B12 and Folate came back low, this was treated but i felt no better. GP said my thyroid results were fine, but since my B12/folate levels were now back to normal I was convinced my symptoms were thyroid related. Family history of hypothyroidism.

Just got my medichecks results back. Only abnormal result was TSH. I did the test early AM before eating whereas my last NHS bloods were late evening.

GP isn't convinced this is causing my symptoms, just wondering if anyone has been faced with a similar situation? Would at least like to try a course of treatment to see if it helps. Willing try anything at this point.

Thanks x

[JanD236]

You say your low B12 and folate was treated but it would be useful if you could say what treatment has been given and whether or not it helped any symptoms you had.

Hopefully then someone will be along to give advice.

[Travelling922 in reply to JanD236]

Thanks! I had 6 loading doses of B12 injections back in Jan and a 4 month course of folic acid. Symptoms didn't improve much so GP approved another 12 doses of B12... again nothing really improved other than tinnitus and a twitchy eye which i was glad to be rid of.

B12 levels back in Jan before treatment were 188.

[JanD236 in reply to Travelling922]

Many of your symptoms could be explained by either a thyroid problem or a B12 problem, or both.

Your GP seems to have been more helpful on the B12 side of things than most and I assume that both the original 6 doses and the subsequent 12 doses were given every other day (or at least 3 a week). As your symptoms didn’t significantly improve with B12 injections it’s certainly worth continuing to look at your thyroid contributing to your problems.

Autoimmune illnesses do tend to occur in ‘clusters’. For example, I have Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid) and PA and I have thyroid antibodies as well as parietal cell and intrinsic factor antibodies. I see that your thyroid antibodies are low and presumably therefore there isn’t an autoimmune reason for the TSH being high (but I’m no expert here). Have you posted on the thyroid forum too, as they may have some useful comments?

[Nackapan]

My daughter having the same problem. She is on regular b12 I jections and needs to take 400mcg folic acid daily.

She had put on alot of weight since January and her ferritin level has dropped to 10. She not being treated with iron or tyroxine?? On the form it said subclinical too. Cant remember readings.

And had other health problems and is an adult.

I have urged her to get bloods again when possible. She now has a computerised blood form.

I think it's been missed. Last seen before lockdown .

Get a telephone appointment with your gp.

Are you continuing with b12 treatment as levels dint mean anything once on injections

[Marz]

Your TSH is over range which indicates your thyroid is struggling. A healthy person will have a result around 2 or under. TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is from the Pituitary Gland and tells the Thyroid to produce T4 which needs to convert into the Active hormone T3. The last two results would be better higher in the range.

Ferritin and VitD results would be helpful too .. am suspecting they will be low due to the low B12 and Folate. When Hypo- Ferritin is good around 70 and VitD 100 ++

Some Docs think you must wait until the TSH is 10 or over - by which time most people are crawling about - such is the sadistic treatment of the thyroid patients.

[Travelling922 in reply to Marz]

Thank you! Ive just seen your other reply too, really appreciate the advice. NHS bloods are next Friday at 7am, had to wait longer for an early appointment. Cant imagine how ill I would feel if my TSH was 10, struggling as it is! Will have to see what she says but sounded like unless my TSH is over 10 she won't consider trying me on levothyroxine...she didnt seem convinced that a TSH of 6.74 should me making me feel this unwell.

[Marz in reply to Travelling922]

Have you read the links posted for you on TUK. One is downloadable to show your GP.

[Travelling922 in reply to Marz]

Yes really helpful, i'll definitely show the GP after my next bloods are done.

[Marz in reply to Travelling922]

Hope all goes well 😷