Results

[Tinal25]

Hi can I have advice on these result.please. my gp said that my b12 low and started me on 3 weekly injection for 2 weeks and then retest. They not done any other test. I had a baby month ago. Thanks

[Nackapan]

I can't read the results.I do know it's common for b12 to drop after childbirth.

I expect your iron wax checked too

So good your go checked b12 .

Hopefully it's all you wil need to feel better

[Tinal25 in reply to Nackapan]

Click on the image.

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[Tinal25 in reply to Nackapan]

They checked my b12 when I was pregnant and it was the some

[Nackapan in reply to Tinal25]

Good you are having b12 injections.Also that you are being monitored

Symptoms are the important thing.

As well as making sure good levels of b12 if breastfeeding

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Tina,

I see you have tried reposting the results - unfortunately they are coming through just too small to read. And there is no way I am aware of to expand them. It might work better if you posted them in sections.

[Tinal25 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi can you see them now ?

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[Tinal25 in reply to Gambit62]

How about these

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[Tinal25 in reply to Tinal25]

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[Tinal25 in reply to Tinal25]

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[Gambit62 Administrator]

Thanks- that's much better - the thing so far that seems to be out is the white cell counts, where your monocyte count is slightly below the normal range but not enough to be significant on its own.

[Tinal25 in reply to Gambit62]

Sorry what does this mean?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Tinal25]

Please note this forum is a support group rather than professional medical advice. Pernicious Anaemia is usually associated with abnormal red blood cell counts. One of your white blood cell counts is slightly low comparted to 90% of the population. I have no idea how white cell counts are affected by pregnancy and breast feeding. White blood cells are part of the body's system for fighting infection so if they are raised it usually means you have an infection. I don't know what it means if they are low and the variance on your monocytes, whilst everything else looks okay probably means nothing which is what the blood tests are saying.

[charks]

Your B12 does look low at 174. Most people have B12D symptoms with levels like that. Is that why your GP carried out a FBC?

[Tinal25 in reply to charks]

Yes that why they did these test. What do you think of my tyriod test?

[Nackapan in reply to Tinal25]

I would post and ask the thyroid group.

[Tinal25 in reply to Nackapan]

I have done but none said anything about them yet

[Blearyeyed in reply to Tinal25]

You might want to post again but type in the results for your thyroid and blood , with the range in your post instead as I know they were finding it difficult to read , then you will get plenty of responses , they are a very helpful group .If those results for thyroid are borderline there is the possibility that the thyroid function was being effected by your low B12 and it would be worth having the full panel again for thyroid a month after completing your B12 loading treatment as the thyroid issue may have been helped by getting B 12. If the thyroid issue still exists that would be the time to start considering thyroid treatment and continuing B12 injections , especially if you are breastfeeding.

You should request a IF test for Pernicious Anaemia now , although be aware that it isn't the most accurate test with only around 50% of those with PA testing positive for it, especially at an early stage.

Your baby may benefit from having their B12 and Folate level tested just for peace of mind.

Your B12 was low but not quite deficient according to the test , which could mean that this was just a temporary situation that occurred while you were pregnant.

A Serum B12 test after your loading doses us pointless as it will be high whatever because of the treatment but won't necessarily mean you don't have an issue. If they do test B12 again you need to request an Active B12 test. This test shows how much functional B12 is circulating in your system , as in the B12 doing the active work. If this is deficient you may need to continue B12 injections long term.

You should request to continue B12 injections once every one or two months after the loading doses until three months after you finish breast feeding as the B12 is necessary for your baby .

You should also continue Folic Acid / B complex as a supplement.

Did you have your iron/ Ferritin levels checked as this can be effected by your B12 level. A Vitamin D test would also be useful.

You would probably benefit from a daily combined vitamin and mineral supplement taken after your fattiest meal if the day while breastfeeding as well as you can absorb nutrients less well from your diet because of low B12 , or you could have had some level of malabsorption during your pregnancy which might have led to your low B12.

Do you mind me asking as it could be relevant to the problem .

Do you eat a vegan or vegetarian diet?

Were you underweight or had you been on a diet before your pregnancy?

Had you suffered from an infection or illness within the three months before your pregnancy?

Either of these things , or a combination of them could be a reason for your low B12 as your B12 could have already been quite low before pregnancy and your body giving all it needed to help your baby develop healthily could have tipped it over the edge but only for a short time rather than you having a long term problem. In other words , this could just be a temporary blip on your part and once rectified with diet, injections and supplements you may not need to continue treatment for life.

You may need to make adjustments to your diet to improve the amount of B12 and Folates you are taking in as supplements alone are not enough.

It doesn't necessarily mean you need meat , but adding in dairy , eggs , and foods containing high B vitamin content are important for you , especially if you are providing milk.

You also need to get the recommended amount of water a day for breastfeeding women. It's vital , not just for steady milk production but also to help you absorb the B vitamins in your diet.

Increasing Vitamin D , C and Calcium are also important as absorption of these is less efficient when your B12 is low.

Your B12 treatment should continue until after breastfeeding but you should then have both B12 and Folates tested every six months after that for a eighteen months to check that it was just a problem that happened as part of pregnancy not a long term one. As you have had this issue it would also mean that you should have your Vitamin B12 / Folates and Ferritin/ Iron checked before you decide on your next pregnancy or when you find you are pregnant to make sure that you can treat it before pregnancy or as you go along making the pregnancy easier on you and your baby.

Congratulations on your baby , I'm so sorry you have had a health issue pop up to stop you being able to concentrate all your thoughts on just enjoying being a Mum , but hopefully the injections will have you feeling more yourself very soon and you can get on making memories with your little bundle of joy.

Take care and you might benefit from joining a pregnancy / new Mums forum and just asking if any one there had low B 12 or Folates after pregnancy and how they were treated.

They may give you some pointers of what to ask specific to pregnant, feeding women and positively put your mind at rest .

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...