I have just been advised that I am vit b12 and folic acid deficiency. I'm hypothyroid and 42 anyone else experienced this?

[Vix22]

Vit D and Folic Acid deficient

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Vix22

By your GP? If so, what is he doing about it?

[Vix22 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes, I have injections starting tomorrow for two weeks and then every three months, and then folate also after the two weeks. I've read this is uncommon in under 60 year olds and am concerned of any long lasting effects? I'm feeling terrible today went to the drs expecting a thyroid recheck and now 'friends' are saying it's a disease, do I have life insurance etc

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Vix22]

I don't think it's "uncommon" in under 60 year olds, just that often older people develop it and maybe we here more about that.

Nice friends you've got!

I would pop over to the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum for further advice and reassurance

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[shaws Administrator in reply to Vix22]

Pernicious Anaemia - like Hypothyroidism etc. are autoimmune diseases and our body has developed them for some unknown reason. I have P.A and my mother also, so there can be an hereditary cause in some diseases.

Please always get your B12 injections regularly and don't forget. As SeasideSusie advises, get advice from the P.A. Healthunlocked site.

Along with other autoimmune disease we have to make sure we are optimally dosed. P.A. is usually an injection every three months but some need more frequent doses and I believe some source their own B12 injections. I was in my 30's when diagnosed with P.A.

My mother died sometime after her GP told her that she needed no more B12 injections and the whole family thought this was good. Little did we know........... so never miss any B12 injections - even if you feel o.k.

[greygoose]

Your 'friends' are probably thinking about Pernicious Anemia. You can have that at any age. But, you can also be B12 deficient for other reasons. It often happens when you're hypo because hypos tend to have low stomach acid, which makes it difficult to absorb nutrients. But, if the B12 is replaced, one way or another, it's not going to kill you. It's quite easily treated. Did your doctor test for Pernicious Anemia?

[Vix22 in reply to greygoose]

They are testing me for it next week. I do have a low appetite and what I thought might be mild ibs which is why I thought I might not be absorbing enough nutrients - I really thought it was my hypo playing up so it's disappointing to think it might be another condition but I can't wait for that injection tomorrow- felt dizzy and thought I might pass out at work today through tiredness and it's not the first time

[Vix22 in reply to Vix22]

If it is low stomach acid should I start taking apple cider vinegar?

[greygoose in reply to Vix22]

B12 is a very important vitamin. Doctors should test for it more often, and stop the problems before they start. But they don't understand that importance of B12. It might not be PA, but best to do the tests to rule it out. It could just be that you're not absorbing the B12 due to your hypo. Are you a meat eater?

[Vix22 in reply to greygoose]

I am a meat eater. My liver test was normal - do you know what the long term outlook is of pa? How important is folate?

Thanks btw x

[greygoose in reply to Vix22]

Folate and B12 work together, so they both need to be supplemented together. They both have their importance.

I'm not an expert on PA, you'll get better answers on the PA forum. But, I think the long-term outlook is good, as long as you keep getting your injections, and maintain good levels of the other B vitamins.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Vix22]

Pernicious Anaemia is a long-term disease and there's no cure - only replacement B12 injections. B12 defiiency is different from P.A.