PA and menopause

[Iheartb12]

So, I'm 45 and in perimenopause or menopause. Haven't seen a gynecologist yet. I've had some new symptoms that don't seem related to PA and I've been trying all kinds of supplements and lifestyle change with limited results.

My main symptoms besides period related are histamine intolerance or overload (hives after eating, had to make major dietary changes), constant exhaustion, and hair loss. Been to docs, they didn't provide any helpful info basically said take meds (which I didnt) but my PC doc mentioned could be menopause and within a couple months cycle got longer then periods stopped.

Any info regarding PA or b12 and menopause? Wondering if I need to increase injections or if there's any relation at all. I searched the forum but didn't find this exact question in my search.

I feel really depressed about this cuz I've made so much health progress and thought I was home free at least for a few years and now I have this new complex issue to navigate.

[JesusMercy60]

Hello Iheartb12

[JesusMercy60]

oops I hit reply accidentally, so when I was going through menopause I thought I was dying, no energy in fact I had the same symptoms as I do now except I know now what I have. PA and b12D but I think it was going all at the same time. I tried all kinds of things even hormone replacement and that made things worse. because I think it was the Pa symptoms mixed with menopause. but denfinatly tired horrible anxiety and then a few years later things got a little better. until last year I crashed. so that was 7 or 8 years ago and I got diagnosed this year with PA and last year with b12d. so the symptoms were mixed together I think. did you get your hormones tested. I did and I was soo low on the estrogen.

[Iheartb12 in reply to JesusMercy60]

My primary doc says they don't test hormones because they fluctuate so much day to day and menopause is treated with HRT based on symptoms. New to all this and like everything else, have to verify what doc says is true. There is so much over lap in symptoms for stuff it's hard to tell what's what.

I also have hashimoto, waiting on labs but was fine last year and haven't experienced what I've known as my telltale signs of low thyroid.

Did you end up on HRT? Are you feeling better with injections?

I'd like to avoid HRT as I've heard very mixed results most negative.

I've read a lot of studies that eating yams, real yams from Africa or Asia not sweet potatots labeled as yams like in the US, increases serum levels of hormones and helps with menopause symptoms.

It all seems confusing and doesn't seem there's accurate tests to monitor hormone levels.

I guess this could be a PA set back and maybe I should increase my injections, I'm just not sure what to do and there's really no guidance. My docs don't think PA is a big deal and won't prescribe b12 more that 1 injection every 3 months so no point in talking to them about it. Already tried n no luck. They say if my blood shows I'm no longer anemic then I don't have PA anymore....

[B12phd in reply to Iheartb12]

Menopause is something you either ride out or use HRT for. HRT made me bleed horribly so I tossed it. It takes a long time to complete menopause and there are some supplements that helped me. The main help was finding out my ferritin was low and I needed iron. The others that helped were B complex, Omega 3. & 5-HTP. Besides anemia, the biggest issue is lack of sleep. 5-HTP is an amino acid that increases serotonin and helps with sleep, depression, etc. Through it all, I continued my B12 shots. Hang in there.

[Oneash]

How often do you have injections now?I've had phases where my hair came out in handfuls. How white is yours?

[Iheartb12 in reply to Oneash]

My hair has been 80% white since early 20s. Looking at blood test history I had low b12 and macrocytic anemia since early 20s, as far as when I started getting those tests. I still have about 80% white hair. I've had many times where most of my hair has fallen out then regrow since puberty so it's nothing new I guess.

I am doing 1ml IM per week of methylcobalimine for over a year and half. Massive improvement in all health aspects.

I've always had hives but recently they became constant and much more intense, unbearable. My hair had grown back in past year only to fall out again. Being on regular injections and seeing so much improvement plus missing period and skin changes led me to believe this is menopause or menopause + PA related, not just PA related.

I am waiting on thyroid test. I have hashimotos but havent had the telltale signs of low thyroid, at least not how they've been in the past. Also checking D level which was at 50 last year and I supplement every day so I expect it should be ok but we'll see in a few days.

[Oneash in reply to Iheartb12]

I think anything that is adding extra stress on the system needs more B12 injections, as it's needed in so many body processes. I do every other day and really notice if I miss one. Every day if I'm ill. So maybe up your intake for a while.The interaction with folate is important. I take l-methylfolate, alternating with a multi methylated B complex.

I take vitamin D daily too. Unless you are running round naked you really can't produce enough.

Sometimes I think my skin issues, psoriasis, are my body's attempts at extra waste management!

Hooray for the menopause! I was so glad to be free of periods. So yes hair loss can be very menopause related.

[Iheartb12 in reply to Oneash]

Soooo....turned out I went hyperthyroid because of a thyroid med change. My tsh was .25 which explains all sy symptoms. Went off the med for 3 weeks. Tsh went to 28. Went back on my old medicine at a lower dose. Feeling much better and period came back, all other symptoms gone.

I also got a few vitamins checked. D was right in mid normal range (I also supplent), magnesium good, selenium good, can't remember what else but all normal. Also regular blood panel came back normal.

I do think I will take your recommendation of increasing g injections for now as I'm recovering from the thyroid roller coaster. It was really rough physically and mentally. But thankful it wasn't menopause cuz I'm not ready a d those symptoms were hellish. Hopefully menopause isn't so bad.

This is the first week I didn't lose a chunk of hair in the shower so that's encouraging.