New here, please help.

[RunTenKay]

Hello I'm new here.

I recently decided to go to my GP and get a blood test after experiencing issues with my memory (specifically remembering names and words).

I got my results today and was told everything was fine by the GP surgery, however after showing my results to a friend he recommended I join this forum and ask everyone here for their opinion and feedback – see attached image for my results.

My friend's initial reaction was that my B12 and Ferritin were low.

This is all new to me, so if anyone could have a look at my results and let me know what they think then I'd be very grateful.

And if you think my levels are low, then I'd also be keen to hear any recommendations on what course of action to take in terms of medication.

Many thanks.

[fbirder]

No, your friend was wrong. Your B12 is well above the bottom of the range. Indeed, it is spot on the average. Same with your ferritin.

That's not to say that your memory problems aren't caused by a B12 deficiency. Just that it's highly unlikely.

Do you have any other symptoms?

Oh, forgot to say - Your Vitamin D is low. At this time of year everybody in the UK should be taking Vitamin D supplements (according to the NHS). Vitamin D is best taken with vitamin K, so something that contains both is a good idea. Something like these - amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-4000iu...

[RunTenKay in reply to fbirder]

fbirder thank you for your reply, I'll order those Vitamin D and K tablets.

The only other symptom I have is tinnitus.

[Narwhal10 in reply to RunTenKay]

Hi RunTenKay,

Welcome. Sorry to hear about your memory. Your ferritin looks fine - mine was 7 so I was really breathless and fast heart rate. Have you tried the tinnitus society on here. Sorry can’t be much more help. X

[RunTenKay in reply to Narwhal10]

Thanks Narwhal10 I didn’t know there was a tinnitus society, I’ll check it out.

[Seekur]

A book worth having in your personal library is 'Could it Be B-12:an epidemic of misdiagnosis'---2nd Edition about $14:00 on Amazon or your public library may have it or can order it for you. It's a treasure of information.

By the way---I see no Homocysteine or MMA on your lab panel. Has your doctor worked with B-12 deficiency issues before?

Great you are seeking answers early---most of us don't until we are very sick with some issues that are permanent just because most doctors aren't trained at all in this area and thus misdiagnose us for way too long.

Wishing you the best------------

[RunTenKay in reply to Seekur]

Thanks for recommending that book Seekur, I'll check it out.

I don't know if my doctor has dealt with B-12 deficiencies before, but my guess is he hasn't. He was very dismissive of my concerns when I spoke to him (the appointment was over the phone rather than face-to-face due to COVID restrictions) he said he thought there was nothing wrong with me but I could have a blood test "to put my mind at rest".

Needless to say it hasn't put my mind to rest, but at least I now know my levels so I can start to explore possible solutions.

[Seekur in reply to RunTenKay]

Good for you!! Great attitude towards your quest for answers to health concerns.

That your doctor agreed to order the tests is a testament to your communication skills-------and much better than some of us had done when weighed on the scale of whether or not the doctor orders labs. Again, I would strongly advise the book as it will provide you with information to interpret your lab results and more tools to gain your ultimate health goals---specifically re possible B-12 deficiency. Either way, peace of mind is your gain---and you will know the direction to direct your next step.

Wishing you the best and radiant health.........

[Hidden]

Have you ever had your thyroid tested?

Low B12, Vit D, Ferritin, and Folate are all exceptionally common with hypothyroidism.

Memory problems are also v common... As is tinnitus.

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...

Come on over to the thyroid board and have a read!

[RunTenKay in reply to Hidden]

geworgie3008 I asked my doctor about the possibility of having hypothyroidism, but he dismissed the idea because I didn't have a couple of the symptoms he went through.

I might try and get an appointment with a different doctor, see if I can get my thyroid tested.

Thanks for the Thyroid UK link, there's a lot of symptoms on there I didn't know about.

[Hidden in reply to RunTenKay]

It's worth investigating. Not everyone will get every symptom, I'd expect your GP to know that.... I suspect I wasn't taken seriously for a long time because I didn't gain any weight. In fact I've always been borderline underweight. 🤷🏻‍♀️

If you do get your GP to test get hold of your results and post them on the thyroid boards. Lots of great minds on there who can help you interpret them. Don't accept 'everythings normal' from your GP. Many of us accepted that for many years and lost so much time.

If you can't get GP to do it many go privately through thriva, or medichecks.

Good luck.

[RunTenKay in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info 👍

I think I'll do it privately, it'll probably be a lot less hassle.

[Hidden in reply to RunTenKay]

I know that feeling!!

Medichecks often have a deal on a Thursday.