Can low B12 and low Ferritin cause heavy painful periods.

[annette12]

In agony every month it just debilitates me. Have had scans and everything fine.

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link re female problems which may be helpful:-

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

If you can get a print-out of your latest thyroid gland blood test results, with the ranges, or have a new one if you haven't had one recently. If you have to get a new test, get it as early as possible in the morning, not having taken your levo for 24 hours. Take meds after blood test.

[annette12]

Thank you shaws will have a look now. Just had blood taken this morn, thyroid ranges have been normal now for about 6mths now. Ferritin and b12 was low so have just started supplementing. Thanks for the info.

[waveylines]

Indeed low B12 is linked to heavy periods as well as being hypothyroid. If you are supplementing with B12 make sure you are also taking a B complex and folate and B12 is absorb best if taken with the other b vits and needs a good supply of folate for best absorption. You need to be aware that if diet isn't the reason for your low B12 ( b12is often found in grains) then it could be that you are not absorbing b12 as well through your stomach due to lower level of or no Intrinsic Factor. Your GP can check this out for you. You might find looking at the website B12d.org helpful to look at -they have an excellent online symptom checker sheet that you assess your self on.

[waveylines]

Sorry for got to include link to site:-

b12d.org/

[Peacefullbliss]

You may also wish to check your cortisol and sex hormone levels. Low cortisol could be the cause of your hormonal imbalance.

"The hormones produced by the adrenal glands include aldosterone, cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. The adrenal glands also make small amounts of the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. The ovaries and testicles make the majority of sex hormones. When certain cells in the adrenal glands produce too much of any one of the hormones, abnormalities can result which may affect many organ systems of the body. Disturbances in the amount of hormone produced can be the result of all cells in the gland producing too much hormone (hyperplasia) or be the result of a few cells, a nodule or mass within an otherwise normal gland, producing too much hormone"

surgery.med.umich.edu/gener...

[annette12]

Thanks so much for this info use are a wealth of knowledge i have learnt so much through this site. I wil have a good read through these links. Wavelines i have just started supplementing with sublingual b12 with added folate so heres hoping its the magic cure.Peacefullbliss i had sex hormones and cortisol tests and everything came back normal thanks for the info though.

[Mabes]

You might also wish to look at a symptoms list for endometriosis. Two of the symptoms can be heavy periods and excruciatingly painful periods (where it starts to affect your ability to function and is not relieved by OTC painkillers). Unfortunately, the only way it can be definitively diagnosed is via a laparoscopy; a trans-vaginal ultrasound will not usually show it, except in cases where a woman has cysts specific to endometriosis. There are hormone treatment options which can be used if endometriosis is suspected.

I did read there is a higher incidence of endometriosis occurring in women who suffer from hypothyroidism.

HTH

Mabes

[poing]

Low iron contributes to heavier periods. Ironic really, but it's no laughing matter.

It's good that you've had the serious stuff ruled out, but it might mean that it's down to you to sort things out. I was basically told that I would have to live with the pain...

A lot of pain is associated with overproduction of something called prostagladins. Paracetamol helps, because it acts directly to reduce them, but probably won't fix it completely (it never really did with me). Omega 6 fatty acids - found in sunflower and other seed oils - are the precursors for prostagladins, so reducing or eliminating these from your diet might help.

[Maddie]

I used to have the same problem and was diagnosed with dysmenorrhea. I was prescribed a prostoglandin inhibitor by a gynaecologist. They do not seem to be used any more. They worked like magic, I only needed to take one or two at the start of a period.

When you are getting other blood tests also ask for Serum Ferritin, Serum Iron, Transferrin Saturation Index. Get the result and reference ranges - Maddie