Hello folks, I'm new here and I am curious who else is going through this? I have had PCOS since I was a preteen and just recently am having a second bout with Pernicious Anemia.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and PA - Pernicious Anaemi...
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and PA
This might not be relevant, but before my B12 deficiency was discovered, I was diagnosed with "atypical PCOS". It was considered atypical because I lacked the hormone imbalances that are hallmarks of PCOS.I had experienced wildly irregular periods for more than 20 years. Nine months after beginning B12 injections, my periods regulated and have remained normalized ever since. I suspect low B12 was the true underlying cause.
My b12 was low once before about 20 years ago but it got sorted out. Then 7 years later I was diagnosed with PCOS but my b12 was fine. I knew something was wrong recently but just figured it was exhaustion from parenting 2 young boys (2 and 4). I get frequently woken some nights. But then I started experiencing odd symptoms such as abdominal numbness, extreme fatigue, breathlessness, racing and confused thoughts, aches and pains everywhere, headaches, heartburn, tingling in my hands and feet, inability to walk in a straight line, loss of balance. It all freaked me out. So lack of sleep and stress were my main thoughts until I had my blood test results.
My experience with PCOS is similar in that it I don't have cysts but my hormones were off for quite some time.
Speaking with my Thyroid hat on - I am wondering if you have been correctly tested for low/auto-immune thyroid ? PCOS is often discussed on Thyroid UK here on HU. So many overlapping symptoms with B12D and other conditions.
Thyroid tests were always normal. But I've only had an OBGYN and not an endocrinologist. I only became fertile in my late 30s early 40s which is consistent with PCOS along with other symptoms. Just no cysts.
Am wondering which tests you had ? TSH - FT4 - FT3 and Anti- bodies TPO & Tg. ? So often only the TSH is tested - a Pituitary hormone - telling you so little about thyroid function.
Sadly normal means you are in range - but where in the range is key to more understanding. We all want to be Normal/Fine/OK - they are opinions rather than results ! Hashimotos is auto-immune as is PA and I believe they are debating PCOS.
Happy to help with results if you have them.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Scroll down to Conclusion if you are short of time. Many similar papers available ...
Yeah, this time they just tested for TSH when I was tested previously, I recall being checked more thoroughly. But it was a long time ago.
I am supposed to be getting 1 injection a week for the next 3 weeks, then once a month for a year. I have low expectations of this. I still feel like I've rolled down a steep hill. Plus, my delayed period showed up and is being odd. Could this be because of the low b12?