Diarrhoea can be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency!

[Luisa22]

So if you get these other symptoms or a number of them as well, it's worth getting your B12 checked out with a doctor.

The symptoms are:

*Rapid breathing or shortness of breath

*Headaches

*Indigestion

*Loss of appetite

*Palpitations

*Vision problems

*Weakness and/or tiredness

*Diarrhoea

*A sore or red tongue and/or mouth ulcers

* Any numbness or prickling in hands or feet or anywhere else in the body. Sometimes burning feet and toes.

*Any cognitive changes, memory problems etc.

*Peripheral neuropathy anywhere in the body.

This can be quite easily treated but anyone with vitamin B12 deficiency will probably be given B12 injections, though possibly just a tablet to take daily.

Even if you eat B12 containing foods regularly a deficiency can sometimes happen, especially as many people who are older no longer produce enough of "intrinsic factor" in the stomach, which is important for B12 absorption.

[heartmatters1]

Hi. I saw my GP with all these symptoms & he said my blood test in April showed it was in range, although looking at the result & researching, it looks as though mine is only just in range. When asking if I could be tested again he said it wouldn’t have changed that much in that short time 🙄.

Thanks for your post. Best wishes.

[tryfan004]

Thanks Luisa22.

Good info.

I would like to add that I had a vit b12 deficiency which was caused by taking various PPI's over the years. I am still on omeprazole. But have had Lanzaprazole as well in the past. Apparently after extensive research (article in the lancet etc) I found these little buggers stop the production of intrinsic factor in the lining of the stomach so vit b 12 cannot be absorbed properly. This is a permanent change so I have to take sub-lingual b12 that you put under your tongue to be absorbed into your body.

I like to get the info out there as most GP's dont know this.

[Luisa22 in reply to tryfan004]

It's good to hear that you can take the sublingual B12 (presumably with good results) and it's absorbed.

Yes, quite a few doctors don't address the complications and possible nutritional deficiencies that can come with many drugs.

PPI drugs affecting B12 absorption are one example. Another is that "water tablets" (diuretics) can also cause quite serious effects from potassium deficiency and even high sodium levels. They hardly ever seem to think about that unless the patient does their own research and asks! (N.B. It can be dangerous to supplement with potassium so if someone reads this and thinks they'll take potassium supplements, please talk to your doctor first.)

[tryfan004 in reply to Luisa22]

Hi Luisa22, yes have had good results with the sublingual b12. Good job really as the GP I dealt with would not recognise that my near the lowest level accepted reading for b12 was having any effect on me. My symptoms were classic low b12. I would not have got an injection! So thank heavens for the sublingual or I would still be breathless, exhausted etc etc. Shame when you have to do all the research yourself!

[Luisa22 in reply to tryfan004]

It's good that you got the B12 !! I am pleased to hear taking them has helped your symptoms. Has it had any effect on your IBS ? (or maybe not. I only posted this in case with some people chronic diarrhoea could be caused by B12 deficiency.)

Yes, it seems we are now having to take our medical care into our own hands to some extent, or at least do the research before we consult with a doctor! How times are changing... that's if we are lucky enough to see an actual doctor and don't get a PA (physician's assistant, who has NOT had full training as a doctor!)