Hello It has come to my notice that I may be low in vitamin b12.

[Everdean]

I have struggled with chronic fatigue, thyroid problems and tingling in arms hands legs and feet for years. I am also experiencing dizziness and palpatations. I am also coeliac. I have had many blood tests that come back " normal " or even quite high.

Recently had COVID and diagnosed as having " long COVID".

I keep to a strict gluten free diet. But the post I read this morning has alerted me to the fact that I could still be anemic. Any thoughts please?

Thank you

[Nackapan]

Get your bloods done including b12, iron ferritin, vit d ,folate.B12 has been shown to help with long covid.

Don't supplement until you've had your bloods done.

[Everdean in reply to Nackapan]

Ok thanks Nackapan. I've had B12 done privately and it was in middle of range. But I've heard there may be a gene issue that doesn't allow for absorption. Hence looking for a laboratory that tests for the gene.

[Everdean in reply to Nackapan]

Incidentally a private test showed high ferritin. I told my Dr but she disregarded it.

[WhyAmISoTired]

The article The Many Faces of Cobalamin (Vitamin B 12) Deficiency describes several ways to diagnose a B12 deficiency. I found it very interesting. My own B12 levels tested as low normal but I did have a deficiency.

I think thyroid problems can also cause tingling? You can cross post on the thyroid UK forum.

[Everdean in reply to WhyAmISoTired]

Thankyou.

[EiCa]

Knowing your genetic type is only a possible predictor of vitamin B methylation problems. It is not proof. This may be difficult to convince your doctor (having a mid-range B12 level) but an MMA (methylmalonic acid) and/or a homocysteine test would tell if the B is getting into your cells. Floating around in your blood stream is of no value. At one time I had very high serum B12 (over 3000) and very high MMA and homocysteine. (these should be low) After just a few injections these tests started going down quickly. I hope you can get someone to order some conclusive tests that explain your symptoms.

[Everdean in reply to EiCa]

Thankyou you. Would an Endo look into that if I showed symptoms do you think?

[EiCa]

I wish I could say yes. It depends on the endocrinologist. A gastro MIGHT order the tests. Here in the US most any functional medicine doctor would order them. (Given your symptoms and if you, perhaps, present your case) Many docs are just not educated enough about this. Serum B12 is just not the right test with your symptoms. It could mean nothing. Perhaps googling “functional B12 deficiency” and presenting some articles that suggest the recommended diagnostic tests would help. Believe it or not, a functional medicine doc on a different forum read my posts and suggested the proper tests for me. Then I had to find a doctor to prescribe them.

[Everdean in reply to EiCa]

Thank you so much . EiCa.

[EiCa in reply to Everdean]

You’re welcome. Good luck.