Merry Christmas everyone 🎄⛄Following on from my post about my daughter's Vitamin D and Folate deficiency diagnosis, attached are my daughter's blood test results.
I wanted a copy to check if they'd checked her B12 as I was concerned about her starting Folic acid if deficient in B12 . I don't see anything at all on these results?
When I was diagnosed with PA and MA, my MCH and MCV levels were miles out, but I can't see anything to show low Folate & Vit D that they diagnosed her with from these results. Am I missing something?
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Ritchie1268
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The blood results are really quite normal. The only thing outside the ranges is the red cell count; it's not serious, and that is reflected by the MCH and MCV being near the lower limits of the ranges. I would check the Iron status/ferritin in case she's a bit low in the iron stakes. There might be another page of results out there somewhere; it's worth checking, for B12 and folate. As for Vitamin D, deficiency is very common, especially in Winter.
Thank you for that.Apart from many in England being deficient in Vitamin D due to lack of sun during winter months, I couldn't see where is showed, and also where Folate was low.
My daughter said that's all she was sent.
I'll mention looking on the NHS app that Nackapan mentioned to see if there is anymore.
Looking at the results, I wondered about whether her iron levels might be low because haemaglobin, MCV and MCH are at the lower end of the normal range.
I think I said on a thread of yours a while ago that in UK, guidance suggests that people who are symptomatic for B12 deficiency should be treated even if serum B12 is within normal range.
I had over 50 typical symptoms of B12 deficiency with most of my serum B12 results from 300 - 500 ng/L. I had had one below range result in past.
Links to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 deficiency info eg causes and symptoms, UK B12 documents, B12 books, B12 films, B12 websites and B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.
Some links may have details that could be upsetting.
Hi Ritchie1268 - It has been a long time now since we have heard from you and I'm hoping that your daughter's health has improved. I understand your concerns, given that PA can be heriditary.
The reason you have been on my mind lately is that I have been watching Dopesick recently, a series highlighting the issues regarding prescribed Oxycontin addiction, something that you yourself had to face. I remembered your story, your battles, your honesty and courage. Eventually your ability to let your anger go allowed you to help others. The Living Bridge: it is how we humans make true generational progress. So glad you made it.
In watching this series, it occurred to me that we have not heard from you in a long time: that usually is a good sign. But worth checking that you and your daughter are both doing well.
I have managed to get my daughter sorted thank you.
Oh yes, Dopesick, what an eye opener hey!
I'm doing really well thanks.
I now cover the whole of Derby City working in Primary care supporting patients wanting to reduce medication, but doing it at a pace the patient is comfortable with to avoid withdrawal, not at a pace a Dr dictates!!
I also educate Dr's about the dangers of reducing patients too quickly,.
I have had many patients referred whose B12 at last test is borderline with 'no further action required' so have arranged for those patients to be retested which shows PA so get them started on injections, and also educate Dr's about PA and how medications can cause it as a knock on effect etc.
Have also spoke to Dr's who have stopped patients injections because they've decided to test their levels again, obviously asking them why as it is pointless, treat the symptoms not test results that shows high anyway due to being treated at the time.
So I am really busy, and though very frustrating at times, it's also very rewarding when you get Dr's to actually change their view and you see such as difference to patients health because of it.
Thanks again for asking, I hope all is well with you.
I can imagine that the work is at times frustrating -but a really valuable use of your highly-specialised knowledge. Like Martyn Hooper re PA, personal experience invaluable to those professionals willing to listen.
No-one should have gone through what you did. So glad you are now making a difference to those still trying to get back. Being as honest as you have been allows others to face reality, but requires a lot of courage.
Patients are great to work with, It has been really frustrating with some 'professionals'. Most are great and say it's a gap that's needed filling for a long time as they don't know what to do, but I can see a few thinking you're not a Dr so what do you know etc. and getting help depends where you live as most drug services aren't commissioned to help with prescription drugs. Then there is the stigma of even if they were commissioned, many people wouldn't engage as they don't see themselves as 'that type of addict'So still lots to do, But change is happening. I was invited to speak at the Royal College of General Practitioners in London in February, and the NHS best practice conference the week after. From that I have been invited to speak at two other conferences attended by GP's and prescribers.
So I'm hopeful that all the frustration over the years will soon pay off, and the help so many are in need of will become easily accessible 🙏
Teaching is just learning something valuable and then giving it to others. You learnt the hard way but recognised the worth - keep passing it on. You are a natural part of the living bridge.
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