low active b12

[Rustythedog]

when I listed my symptoms and suggested low b12, Dr said" wouldn't that be convenient" my active is 69 and I am missing half a colon. Am I imagining it all?

[wedgewood]

It is just shocking to hear that your GP said that to you . What on earth can he/she have meant exactly ? If you get no help from him/ her , get back to us . Best wishes .

[Granny2024]

No you are not. Read the instructions on here for self injections and live your best life. ❤️

[Jillymo]

What a ruddy ridiculous comment for your Dr to make, especially as you only have half a colon. I would question that comment as to why it was made.

You so obviously have digestive issues, so no you are definitely not imagining. Try to see another Dr or speak to the practise manager about how this Dr spoke to you, which I feel to be unjustified and unaceptable.

To think you were spoken to like that has made me angry. I have been faced with a few dismissive Drs in my time. Over the years I have learnt to put them in their place.

[FlipperTD]

Sounds like a real charmer!

The absence of half of your colon shouldn't affect B12 absorption because that's further up, in the terminal ileum. So yes, it would be convenient, 'doctor'! Getting NHS results for FBC, B12 and folate is, I fear, the only solution here. It'll make far more sense to the GP.

Good luck and keep us informed!

[Rustythedog in reply to FlipperTD]

yup, lost that bit! Had a right hemicolectomy. Also have BAM now too and low thyroid function

[FlipperTD in reply to Rustythedog]

Dear oh dear! But you're still here, fighting, and that's what counts.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Well, 8 years on, I have failed to notice anything "convenient" about B12 deficiency. I expect most people here feel the same. So maybe your GP could enlighten us all ?

Honestly, convenient in what sense, I wonder ?

We end up having to listen to quite a lot of this sort of thing. I remember a consultant telling me that the euphoria felt by self injecting is well-known. Well, then I've failed to notice that, too. I could have walked out, then and there, but he was just about to test my DNA.

Maybe I've just been doing it all wrong - or maybe they all need to get some better understanding of what it feels like to be us.

What it really feels like.

By asking US !

Write out a list of all your symptoms. Make sure GPs and consultants have a copy.

This will allow you the right to say "I told you so" when B12 injections allow you to manage your condition and symptoms visibly improve.

Worst case ? A trial would show no improvement, no management or crowing opportunities- and yet no harm done. A search for that "something else that's going on" can continue concurrently.

You wouldn't need to mention B12 at all, if they would only get there, unprompted, a little bit quicker. 14% of respondents to a 2014 PAS survey of nearly 900 of those with pernicious anaemia took over 10 years to reach their diagnosis. It's now just 10 years since that survey, so some who first went to their GP with symptoms then are still on hold......