Unsure about my results.

[Ontothe3rdtreament]

Hello,

I’m new around here and I am wondering if you could give me some advice please?

Back in April I went to the dr as I was experiencing weird numbness/tingling in my hands and stomach region. He said my iron count was slightly low and my thyroid levels had dropped so upped my thyroxine and issued some iron. This made no difference whatsoever so he referred me to a neurologist who didn’t really have any explanation either so is sending me for an MRI scan.

After doing some reading I do wonder if I have a B12 problem as a lot of my symptoms show a deficiency.

My last blood results for b12 serum were

243 ng/l 110-914

Folate 4.4 ug/l 3.1-19.9

Ferritin 34 ng/ml 10 - 180

The dr never called me back with these results it was the receptionist who said everything was normal when I chased up. Are these normal results? Google is a tad confusing! Like I say I wonder if I have a problem absorbing b12 because I do take omeprazole which I have read can cause problems with how you absorb vitamins so I am just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar

Many thanks in advance

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The results are normal in the sense that they are all in the statistical boundaries of a thing called the normal range - which is where something like 90% of the population will be okay.That means that some people lie outside the ranges which could mean they are either okay with lower levels or they aren't okay with levels in the normal range.

The significance of the normal range and a particular individual can be quite difficult to interpret - it really depends on what is being measured and how the substance is used in cells/the body. Some ranges are a real guideline in terms of biochemistry - eg the ranges for measures of diabetes - others less so and that includes ferritin and B12. Both ferritin and B12 are also chemicals that have a very large normal range associated with them.

Folate is a pretty good indicator - its not a substance that is stored so even though you are low in the range the levels should be okay.

People tend to regulate serum B12 at a point that is right for them using stores in the liver - absorption problems mean that this process doesn't work effectively and so levels drop over time - but it can take years for them to get to the bottom of the normal range and by then the individual can be extremely ill. Unfortunately it isn't possible to determine if levels are falling from a single test. Add to that the fact that serum B12 is only accurate to about 20% and interpreting the results of even two tests spaced a few months apart can be difficult difficult. That's probably part of the reason why the BCSH standards suggest using clinical evaluation (symptoms) and not just looking at scores if the symptoms indicate deficiency but the test may not.

Link to the BCSH standards

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[Ontothe3rdtreament in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you, I will have a read of that link .

[fbirder]

Your B12 is well above the bottom of the normal range, and outside what would be considered the 'grey area' at the bottom of that range.

You'll find it impossible to persuade a doctor that B12 is a problem with a level that high.

[Ontothe3rdtreament in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for replying ☺️. To be honest I have trouble getting in touch with a dr at all never mind trying to convince them of anything. Will see what the MRI shows if anything then I will be hounding the dr .

[owenybhoy]

Get supplementing with B12, folate and Iron, they're all getting low. Try to get off the omeprazole if you can.

[Ontothe3rdtreament in reply to owenybhoy]

Thank you , I will try and get off omerazole .

[jacrjacr]

my dr wanted my b12 always above mid normal range , and did you make sure you did take thyroxine 4 and iron 4 hours a part or any other supplement just to be on the safe side not to block thyroxine...that is what drs always told me...you may also want to test your d3 levels since if they are low you can feel terrible....for the thyroid to work properly you need certain nutrients in the body even without meds or with meds is also what my dr always told me hence there is no such thing as a magic pill....you have to be optimal in healthy eating, sleeping, and certian nutrients....

[Ontothe3rdtreament in reply to jacrjacr]

Yes so the pharmacist told me two hours apart . So take thyroxine first thing and then wait 2 hours and take iron with breakfast lunch and tea . Sleeping is funny because it’s only recently that my sleeping isn’t the best because of the way I feel if that makes sense .

[ginger6052]

i am experiencing the EXACT same feelings in my hands and stomach recently!

[Ontothe3rdtreament in reply to ginger6052]

So sorry your are experiencing this but it’s also good to know I am not alone as there is not really any information on the stomach numbness. Hope you get some sort of resolve on your symptoms .

[jacrjacr]

i was also told that low stomach acid can be common w hypothyroid people meaning we are not absorbing things the way we should, dr told me to take enzyme pills b4 meals or take 2 tbsp of braggs apple cidar vinegar w a little water and drink w straw to protect teeth enamel 30 minutes b4 food....thats the cheapest route but it had to be braggs w the stuff in it...not reg vinegar

[Ontothe3rdtreament in reply to jacrjacr]

Oh thanks for letting me know this . A gp has never told me any possible side affects from having hypothyroidism, just take these tablets and you should be fine. I mean yes I can of research myself now but I was only 18 when I got diagnosed so trusted the dr would have told everything I needed to know as such . I’m definitely going to try your advice as reading into these may be a solution to getting off the omeprazole as well as help me absorb things the way I should .