HRT - decreases B12 levels?

[LizWilsonpa]

Hi all

I posted about abdominal pain/problems in December- got a whole lot of helpful replies. GP sent me for blood tests and scan - all clear thankfully. Seems to have settled now - not sure what caused it or why ok now. Thanks for the advice given.

Anyway, my new query - I just haven’t been well since October (or even July when I got Covid). I’ve been absolutely exhausted after activity, very tired generally and quite low (background tingling after activity too). I think it could be my B12 level even though I self-inject eod. I’ve just injected 3 days in a row and feeling a lot stronger today and been exercising this morning.

Feeling off sort of coincides with increasing the level of Oestrogen I have been taking - however I don’t know if I’m making a false link trying to search for answers. Maybe it could be that as I near menopause there’s a link with hormones more generally. Searching online a few nutrition sites link HRT with B12 depletion - but I’m not coming across any research or medical info stating this. Does anyone know of suggested links with HRT or menopause?

I struggle with the idea of needing daily injections. I have been si since April 2020. After years of monthly B12 injections I found they were no longer enough after surgery - si eod cured my “post operative fatigue” (two years later - when I was taught to si by nurse at GP surgery and experimented with more).

Do other people find they have periods when they need more B12 and then it settles down? What theories do you have about why this happens?

Thanks. Long post!!

[MrsTuft]

I think it’s more likely that covid and menopause make you very tired.

[HeartyGilly]

I needed more B12 after Covid and after flu. HRT has been marvellous.

[Nackapan]

The menopause was the trigger for my b12 deficiency. I believe the hormone changes gave me an absorption problem.

My good diet was unchanged.

On no medications ect.

Hrt in my mind would help you if taken early enough.

I had a trial on HRT patches .

Only last ed? 3 weeks .

Gave me a 6 day migraine .

I was an emotional mess too.

A gp j saw ( not the prescriber)

Said I was too old for HRT .

It shoukd be started pre menopausal.

It took me longer to wean off it than j was on it.

I only hot headaches and migraines after b12 deficiency and when I started treatment.

Hrt was an attempt to reduce head pain.

Also raises serotonin .

Gp wanted to put me on an antidepressant again.

I refused again.

I now realise now why.

The drop in serotonin and oestrogen whist weaning off hrt was horrid.

A day of dizziness and chronic diarrhoea I was not expecting .

Starting a antidepressant would've smoothed this out as raises serotonin.

Then you woujd have to wean off the antidepressant if didn't suit and so it goes on ...

[LizWilsonpa]

Thanks everyone for your replies - it's helpful to hear from you. I think the HRT has been helpful so will stick with it.

(Sorry for the delay - yet another winter bug!).