Can anyone please help...

[Missfolic63]

The last year I've not been feeling well tired lightheaded ..the last few weeks it really progressed to no energy at all dizzy burning eyes breathless even talking.. I eventually get bloods b12 fine gp said at 256 folate 4.5 prescription for foilic acid been taking it a week feel more tired .vitamin d fine as i take it daily..I can't work I can't go out no energy can this just be folate.

[wedgewood]

It is possible that because you are a vegetarian , that you are not getting sufficient vitamin B12 in your diet . You can only get this vitamin from animal products in your diet . Meat , fish , eggs and dairy products . I consider 256 to be a low result for your blood serum reading . The bar is set very low in U.K. If I were you , I would start taking a B12 tablet and seeing if that helps your tiredness , breathlessness and other symptoms . The blood serum result can be misleading because up to 80 % of the B12 content can consist of inactive B12 which your body cannot use . An active b12 test is more accurate, but some doctors don’t order it . ( more expensive ). If taking the B12 tablets does not help your symptoms , then there maybe another reason . But that is what I think should be a first move. Keep up the folate supplementation . ( B12 and B9 ( folate ) work together . Let us know how you get on . Best wishes .

[Missfolic63 in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you so much for your reply it's very scary when your body is so weak and your GP just gives you folic acid and sends you on your way she just said low folic acid the b9?not b12 which is fine at 256 .my brothers both suffer b12 and have my symptoms I don't understand thst when I look up b12 deficiency I have every single symtom I'm going to order it right now. I will be honest and say my diet is very bad junk food and not veg and fruit which I've now changed ..so

[Technoid in reply to Missfolic63]

Hi MissFolic,

Certainly could also be a B12 issue. In terms of nutrition you might find some helpful tips on my profile. You can get as much as 1 mg of folate if your diet focuses on healthy whole plant foods, that's 2.5x the folate RDA. Could be worth to take a look at iron/ferritin also if you have not already.

[Missfolic63 in reply to Technoid]

Very helpful thank you I'll start the b12 tomorrow then with the 5mg prescription folic acid it may help more i know i shouldn't expect a miracle but just expect to feel worse after taking folic acid ..being a vegetarian people think I'm healthy but unfortunately I need to eat the veg and fruit not junk food 😫

[wedgewood in reply to wedgewood]

B12 is the one vitamin that you cannot overdose on , so you don’t have to worry about that . I had B12 deficiency inspite of eating plenty of meat , fish etc . This was because my B12 deficiency was caused by my having the autoimmune condition known as Pernicious Anaemia or Autoimmune Gastritis . This condition needs to be treated with B12 injections — tablets do not work . If tablets don’t work for you after a few weeks , you will have to consider other possibilities . Interesting that your brothers also have B12 deficiency.

[Missfolic63 in reply to wedgewood]

I did say both brothers have b12 injections but the gp said i won't as not low at 258..

[Orchard33 in reply to Missfolic63]

PA is an impaired absorption condition. Serum B12 levels are meaningless if you can't absorb through the digestive system.

[Missfolic63 in reply to Orchard33]

I was thinking of a b12 you spray under your lounge?

[Technoid in reply to Missfolic63]

Your GP probably doesnt realize this but you can't rely on serum B12 to rule out a B12 deficiency. 258 is not great, its a bit lower than the B12 serum I was at before I started treatment/recovery.

[Cornwaller in reply to Missfolic63]

Your doctor is ignorant or worse. The serum b12 range 200 to 350 indicates possible deficiency (BMA, NICE etc) and the presence or absence of symptoms can determine the diagnosis. Therefore, given you have symptoms, the correct diagnosis is probable b12 deficiency and treatment should be considered.

This is further strengthened by your two brothers having b12 deficiency as it is well established that b12 deficiency runs in families.

The advice here on HU is excellent and I wish you well on your road to better health.

You are probably perplexed as to why your doctor has failed you. Sadly this is not uncommon. However, on the plus side it can help you gain control of your health and develop the confidence and knowledge to do so.

I am not medically trained and the above are thoughts for your consideration.

[Missfolic63 in reply to Cornwaller]

So glad I joined this site as doctors have no interest at all.now I've started this 5mg folic acid shall I just buy b12 what strength? It's pointless trying to get anywhere with my gp..

[Missfolic63 in reply to Cornwaller]

Forgot to say my mum also had iron b12 folate anemia all started mid 50s oddly so did my bothers ..now me .mum also had it when she was younger and was fine for many years after treatment in hospital no idea what treatment and she's no longer her to ask .

[wedgewood in reply to Missfolic63]

I feel like repeating what Mandy Rice-Davies ( RIP) said way back in the 60s. at the trial of Stephen Ward .. ( you’re probably too young to know this ). “Well, he would , wouldn’t he ?”

[Libuse]

Have you had blood test for thyroid levels? Hyperthyroidism and B12 deficiency often go hand in hand

[Missfolic63 in reply to Libuse]

Yes b12 was 258 apparently good ..thyroid all others ok except the folic acid b9 .4.5 vitamin d good as I take a supplement that was 130.

[Bellabab in reply to Missfolic63]

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are very similar. It would be wise to get a blood test for HbA1C which gives you the average blood glucose level for the past 3 months.

[Cornwaller in reply to Missfolic63]

Was it the doctor that said your thyroid results were OK? It may well be fine - but many doctors know as much about the thyroid as they do b12! If you wish to post the results members will likely have a look for you.

Best wishes.

[Missfolic63 in reply to Cornwaller]

Yes doctors said thyroid all good not that I actually have any faith in them ..

[Missfolic63 in reply to Cornwaller]

Unfortunately I can't get my blood results as I can't get into the NHS app I don't drive so have no licence. No passport as I have no need for one .

[tattybogle in reply to Missfolic63]

just go to GP reception and confidently ask for "a printout of my blood results from 'x' date " usually works

, as long as a GP has already seen them first , you have a right to see them .

[Missfolic63 in reply to tattybogle]

I'm going Friday thank you I'll do that.