B12 injections and iron

[lambuth_eagle]

Had labs done today in preparation for my hematology check up next week. My ferritin has increased slightly, but my iron , TIBC, and sat % have all decreased slightly. Also my MCV increased and my WBC decreased. Most are still in range, but I know ranges aren't always optimal (and my hematologist has acknowledged this in regards to ferritin). I'm concerned that the increase from one B12 injection a week to two is now affecting my iron. The only thing that has changed between February and today is increasing the B12 injections, which I need due to neurological symptoms. Also concerned about my WBC dropping. I’m not sure why they didn’t run my folate as they have the past two visits. At least they didn’t test my B12.

Thoughts? What do I need to be asking the hematologist at my visit? What do I need to be researching?

Thanks!

[Narwhal10]

Hi Amybonner,

Unfortunately, it is all highly individual. I’d be on the floor with a ferritin of 12. I can ‘manage’ at 53.

There is research saying you need a ferritin 80 of over when hydroxycobalamin is being administered. Your haematologist may or may not know this.

How do you feel physically ? Symptoms of low iron (which can can also be low vitamin B12) are also visible.

So not only may you be short of breath, high heart rate at rest (if you wear a fit bit - note when you stand and when you walk), are you dizzy ? Feeling the cold.

Your hair - (can fall out, note it’s texture, premature greying, how it feels, coarse) Basically, if our bodies aren’t getting enough oxygen as iron is needed in blood cells. Then like plants that don’t have enough water things ‘wilt’.

Nails are also another indicator - pitted, breaking.

Sorry that’s all I know.

Best wishes

[lambuth_eagle in reply to Narwhal10]

Thanks for your reply. I was wiped out with a ferritin of 12 but I was also B12d and so it's hard to know how much of my energy issues were due to low ferritin vs. low B12.

I'm on cyanocobalamin (I'm in the US).

As far as how I'm feeling physically, it's a bit mysterious. When my ferritin was low I found myself with higher BP, air hunger, pounding heart (not necessarily faster, but harder), headaches, chills, and heart palpitations. I noticed these symptoms resolving about 5-6 weeks ago.

A month ago I moved from one injection a week to two injections a week. Just a couple weeks ago I noticed the headaches, pounding heart, air hunger, palpitations and chills coming back. I'm suspecting that my ferritin was actually higher 5-6 weeks ago and then with the increased B12 injections it has begun to decline again. But I have no way of knowing if that's the case.

I guess I will just have to wait to see what the hematologist makes of this. Just something feels off.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The B12 injections will not affect your iron levels.However, if you have absorption problems with B12 these can also affect absorption of iron and other micronutrients.