Could I have anemia?

[Martin_N]

Hi all. I'm a 37 year old man with high serum folate 21.7 and low b12 227 I also have crohns disease so find it hard to store b12. My symptoms have been chest pain, heart palpitations, blurred vision, dizziness, weakness, shallow breathing, confused state of mind and to top it off I have developed a blocked left ear. I have had 3 Ecgs now which all showed that my heart was OK. Also a chest xray which apparently was fine. I am about to have my 4th b12 jab tomorrow in just over a week and although some of the problems have cleared I'm still struggling. Does this sound like anemia to anyone? Has anyone else felt like this and if so how many injections did it take to make you feel better? Thanks for reading this and replies would be welcomed

[Maud04]

Hi Martin_N

I am new to all this too but have just had my 7th B12 injection and am starting to feel the benifits so stick in there

hope you feel better soon.

Kind Regards

Maud04

[Martin_N in reply to Maud04]

Thanks Maud04. What symptoms have you had?

[Maud04 in reply to Martin_N]

Martin_N

Hopefully someone knowledgeable will be along to advise you soon .

It is a bit difficult to pin down as I have had quite a year medically what with pneumonia and sepsis then subsequently diagnosed with hpothyroidism and eventually low B12.

However, after reading all I could on the PAS web page I would say that the B12 injections have helped with the fatigue, aches and pains lifting, alleviated the tingling and numbness in hands and feet (Not gone yet)But I am starting to feel like my old self again......not there yet but closer than I was a month ago and feeling hopeful for the first time this year

Stick at it and hopefully you will start to feel better soon.

Regards

Maud04

[Martin_N in reply to Maud04]

Thank you and keep up your recovery

[shaws Administrator]

Hi Martin,

I cannot answer your question and those members who can will respond but I know B12 is extremely necessary as is Vitamin D.

Problems with a dysfunctional thyroid glands can be missed. Usually they don't think 'thyroid'. If they do it might only be the TSH so I'd ask GP to check do a Full Thyroid Function Test:-

TSH, T4, T3, Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies. Also get Vit D if you've not already had it.

When you have blood tests for thyroid hormones, they should be the very earliest possible, and fasting although you can drink water.

Get a print-out and post on a new question. You'd be amazed how many people remain undiagnosed as GP usually only does the TSH and maybe T4 which aren't so informative.

Thyroiduk has recommended labs and you get a small discount if you code their code.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Martin_N in reply to shaws]

Thanks for this

[radd in reply to Martin_N]

Martin,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear you have these health issues.

The most common cause of Vit B12 deficiency is PA, that is caused by a lack of protein called intrinsic factor needed to absorb vitamin B12.

Great advice from shaws but if you have gut absorption issues you could be low on iron too. Ask GP to test ferritin as well as Vit D, and Intrinsic Factor and Parietal cell Antibodies that will tell if you have Pernicious Anemia. Also ask your GP to test homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels. ...

Post all results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

The Pernicious Anaemia Society Forum may be able to answer your questions further.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[ellj]

It does take a bit of time for the loading doses to kick in and we are of course all different in that.

Personally I would give it untill a couple weeks after loading doses and see how you feel as you have been checked with ecg.

My own experience was that I felt way better on more frequent B12 injections than the twelve weekly allowed on nhs in my area.

I self medicate with extra,s now.

[Martin_N in reply to ellj]

Thanks ellj. If you don't mind me asking did you have similar symptoms?