Low b12

[Scoobiedash]

Last week I had my bloods taken. I later got a letter telling me I will need to go back in 6 weeks to get more checks. I phoned my doctor and they’ve told me my b12 is low. I had an idea that it could’ve been my b12 as I’m extremely tired all the time and recently been diagnosed with some mental health issues. I’m struggling at work as I’m extremely tired and just don’t feel well all together. I’m not sure what to do as I’m only 18 and can’t cut down my hours or anything. Plus I have to wait 6 weeks for the doctors to actually do something about it.

[Nackapan]

I would first get a copy of your blood results If you look on the right of the page it should give ranges.

If you are feeling unwell dont wait 6 weeks

Book a telephone appointment.

If your b12 is low ask for an Intri sic factor blood test .

Are you a vegan?

Do you take supplements?

If dietary b12 tablets should work.

If your diet is fine you have an absorbtion problem.

Whatever is going on needs investigations.

The Intrinsic factor test is more accurate before supplements.

If its positive you have PA and should be easier to get treatment straight away

If negative you coukd still have PA as only picks up 5o% of thises who have it. Go by symptoms and still insist on treatment.

See if folate was done.

My daughter at your age wasnr tested for b12 and folate. Turned out alot if her problems were from a severe deficiency in both. Left untreated if that is the case for you

csn only causes more problems .

6 weeks is a long time if you are ill.

It's your body and your health. I hope you get to the bottom of it.

T c

[Scoobiedash in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you. I don’t take supplements. I was veggi for just under a year last year but stopped around September October 2020. I eat red meat once a week and have milk and that only a few times. I’ll ask the gp for my blood results to be sent to me thank you x

[fbirder in reply to Scoobiedash]

Your deficiency could well be dietary.

250 g of steak will give you twice the recommended daily amount. A glass of milk will give you half the recommended amount.

Phone your doctor and ask why you're having to wait six weeks for a problem that can easily be treated now.

[Scoobiedash in reply to fbirder]

I’ve never really been a fan of meat but I do have it most days as the rest of the family are meat eaters. I’ll ask them tomorrow thank you xox

[Nackapan in reply to Scoobiedash]

With a vegetarian diet its hard for some to get enough b12. It can gradually decrease until you have problems. . My neices have b12 supplements as even though on a very good vegetarian diet their levels dropped . They are young. I've now scared them and they never forget to take their b12 . Some are fine for years and function well on lower levels.

My friend was fine until the menopause the got some minor symptoms when i got ill. She had a b12 serum test and 'caught it' tablets worked. Symptoms went. Lucky her.

If PA or absorption problem you need injections.

Keep us posted

[Lurcher-lady in reply to Nackapan]

Vegetarian is fine as it comes from eggs, cheese and milk, it’s vegans that ‘must’ have supplements.

[Nackapan in reply to Lurcher-lady]

Yes so do vegetarians at times so do meat eaters at. times .

I'm just stating what I know .

Not judging anybody .

Yes vegans must have supplements.

I think vegetarians usually less vunerable as aware of b12 more.

Of courses you have food intolerances too.

Some are diary free.

Some vegetarians dont have eggs and so it goes on.

Best to be on the cautious side .

Everyone absorbs their nutrients better or worse than others.

I mustvd finctikned at a low level and just gradually stopped absorbing g as well.

[Lurcher-lady in reply to Nackapan]

I’m just going by my own experience as was vegetarian longer than I can remember and only had a b12 deficiency the last couple of years, so I’m guessing a good vegetarian diet doesn’t need supplementing Some meat eaters don’t eat eggs either, but with a good dairy intake the vegetarians should be ok.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Some UK GPs and specialist doctors may lack understanding of B12 deficiency so if you have the time and energy, might be worth reading about B12 deficiency.

Some links and books may have details that could be upsetting so you may want to have someone supportive to read through the info with you.

I am not medically trained.

Sometimes people have more than one cause of their B12 deficiency.

Do any of the risk factors below seem possible?

Risk Factors for PA and B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

b12deficiency.info/who-is-a...

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected or newly diagnosed

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

Link about B12 deficiency and Mental Health

b12deficiency.info/b12-and-...

PA is an auto immune condition that can lead to B12 deficiency.

PAS can offer support and pass on useful info about PA.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

Coeliac disease is another auto immune condition that can lead to B12 deficiency.

The guidelines below suggest that anyone with unexplained B12, folate or iron deficiency should be tested for coeliac disease.

NICE guidelines Coeliac Disease

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Useful B12 books

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).

BNF (British National Formulary) treatment info in this book is out of date. See BNF Hydroxycobalamin link in this reply for up to date info.

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (US authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.

UK B12 documents

Cobalamin is the scientific name for B12.

Dietary B12 deficiency is sometimes treated with low dose cyanocobalamin tablets.

My understanding of UK guidelines is that dietary B12 deficiency with neurological symptoms, should be treated with B12 injections.

BNF Cyanocobalamin

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/cyanoc...

BNF Hydroxycobalamin

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

If you have neurological symptoms , see section for patients with "neurological involvement" in above link.

Below is a link to a summary of a UK document about treatment and diagnosis of B12 and Folate deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

The full document

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

This might be a hard read if tired.

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Different areas of UK will have different local guidelines on treatment and diagnosis of B12 deficiency.

It may be helpful to find out the local guidelines for your area of UK.

If you feel you are not getting adequate B12 treatment, the next link may be useful.

Letters to GPs about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

I think it's a good idea to get copies of or access to blood test results.

Accessing Health Records (England)

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

patients-association.org.uk...

I hope you get the help and support you need.