Really don’t know how to managed my deficiency until my B12 levels improve. Looking for advice on whether I can keep doing sports?
I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency on Monday. I have digestive issues (which I’ve learnt can affect absorption) and family history of pernicious anaemia but have been put on B12 supplements to take until another blood test in 3 months. I was given very little info at the appointment and have found out most of this since. Got a strong feeling that the supplements won’t work and now I’ll have to manage the deficiency for 3 months before being given injections. How do I manage the fatigue? I want to keep doing lots of sport but don’t know if it’s wise?
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Foodie101
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Do what you feel able to, but don't push yourself too hard, or you will likely feel washed out afterwards. At diagnosis, I was pretty much just pottering around the house and didn't have much energy at all. Now I do regular 4 - 5 mile walks and look after a very active 3 year old three days a week. I do still have days where I am exhausted, but I have learnt to pace myself to avoid it happening too often.
Difficult to tell. There wasn't a Eureka, I feel better moment. It was just a very slow improvement over many months. But I did have undiagnosed P.A. for decades, complete with anemia so bad that it was on the borderline of needing a transfusion. Doc was amazed that I was actually functioning at all - but that's me, never give up 😀
Sorry to hear that, what you went through sounds so tough, but glad that you're feeling much better now 💪 I think I'll push for injections, the sooner I get them the better!
Folate and iron were fine, but not tested for vitamin D. Intrinsic factor was "satisfactory".
I think I'm going to see how it goes then try and book a blood test sooner if I'm still super tired. Feel like I was given such little explanation on my next steps during my appointment and was left with so many questions!
Any ideas of other vitamins I can try and boost in my diet to help with what my B12 can't do as well at the moment?
B 12 supplements (tablets) won't work if you actually have PA. It should be a course of loading injections and this should be reticular monitored to determine ongoing treatment. In respect of diagnosis you should have been tested for antibodies to determine treatment or if you have other trouble. If you are a "foodie" lack of red meat in the diet can do it....
I walked a lot before diagnosis then I ground to a halt because any exercise made me ill. So I stopped walking, tested, began treatment and very slowly began walking again. A year on, sometimes I just don't feel like walking so I don't. Then I recover. I have to rest to recover and to feel like life's worth living again.
Hello, the fact that you are asking about sports is a good sign. When my b12 was low, I was unable to get out of bed. It’s okay to do what you’re capable of doing.
Managing those three months really depends on how sick you are. I went without injections for three months and became the sickest I’ve ever been on high dose sublingual methylcobalamin. It was a major setback for me that entailed a long recovery due to an inadequate injection schedule.
I finally got better with long-term weekly injections which is my maintenance dose. There is simply no question for me that I must have shots for life, like it or not.
I don’t think you mentioned your b12 number, but keep in mind that the numbers can look good after injection and one can still be very symptomatic for some time as it takes time to recover. A better option would be a trial of injections and if you improve, there’s your answer.
A follow up b12 test is reasonable as long as your doctor doesn’t use it to lower injection frequency. Some people need more injections than others—it’s just a matter of achieving full recovery and maintaining full remission of symptoms.
After my first set of injections, my doctor could tell I wasn’t absorbing the oral tablets because my number should’ve been higher than it was as I was receiving monthly injections and taking a daily 1,000 mcg methyl sublingual.
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