anaemic, b12, thyroid, 'not something you can fix with supplements' - anyone?

[bottlebank]

My lovely GP called me for my telephone consultation post-bloods but left a message.

He says I am anaemic and 'need b12' and one of my thyroid results is 'out of whack'. He has made an appointment for me with a colleague as 'this needs a programme... it's not something you can fix with supplements, maybe injections for the b12'

• googling has of course freaked me out. I DO have symptoms it would be amazing if this addressed - tired and cold and miserable all the time is the short version.

has anyone else got these issues?

I saw a specialist yesterday and he talked about supplements and said you shouldnt take supplements for anything but to get your supplements through food/diet.

He said most supplements go straight into your waste system and are not affective.

Sometimes injections can improve your body balance but it is better under the control of a doctor rather than self treatment

Ah so it could be steak party time?

Had exactly this dianosis last week bottlebank! (Started a thread about it further down) Have been prescribed iron for anaemia, thyroxine for thyroid and have been referred to a gastroenterologist for the b12. Will probably have to have injections though.

Strangely fantastic to know it's not just me zen1! Are the injections to 'top you up' or likely to be forever do you know? I can appreciate I'm low on the essentials but it's hard to see how I can fit extra in forever iyswim - I'm careful with my diet now. Always cake AND spinach...;)

I think it depends what's causing you to be low on the b12. If it's pernicious anaemia caused by an autoimmune response, then I think it might mean injections for life. I think if you're low on b12 for other reasons (e.g diet - but that's probably pretty unlikely unless you're a strict vegan), the injections might be temporary. Who have you been referred to?

My intestines were damaged after an accident and subsequent surgery so I suspect that it might be forever, having had a more in-depth google. I'll take it if it means I feel better though :)

I hope you feel better soon zen1 - your gastro referral makes sense to me in the context of my own anaemia. Hope it goes well!

I have been anaemic most of my life, constantly on iron tablets. What symptoms are you getting? have you any idea what thyroid problem you might have.

I'll to feeling better soon bottlebank! Good luck to you too

Saw my GP yesterday and have been given ferrous fumarate for one type of anemia. The pernicious anemia - because of my thyroid results they want to rule out an autoimmune condition so I am having tests for intrinsic factor and some sort of gastric thing and when those results are back they will start the b12 injections.

The thyroid issue is potential hypothyroidism. The level of the signal from the brain to the thyroid was high, but the thyroid level was low (sorry I am so not a doctor! Don't know the right terms), which apparently means my brain is having to work harder and getting less response from the thyroid. But the level was high enough that they don't want to jump right in to thyroxine until I've had the b12.

So another three weeks or so of feeling rubbish - my symptoms are being always tired/listless/no energy, puffy eyes, lots of hair has fallen out and isn't growing back and I am finding stressful situations more difficult to deal with. Plus very sensitive to cold.

all round!

Bottlebank, SNAP, SNAP and SNAP! But you're feeling unwell. Can utterly sympathise. I am also on ferrous fumerate and am also being investigated for autoimmune diseases (had Graves Disease (hyperthyroid) 17 years ago which is an autoimmune disease, so told I would be susceptible to others). I have similar thyroid results as you by the sound of it: high TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and low T4 (thyroid antibodies). I have been told I can't start b12 injections until I have seen the gastros. My symptoms are exactly the same as yours: hairloss, extremely cold (hands and feet are always white unless it it 25 degrees or more outside) and also very stressed. It is good to be able to compare notes with someone else going through the same thing. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? I am 39, but feel twice that at the mo!

Oh wow, Zen1, it sounds like we are going through the exact same thing. So much sympathy, because I know first hand how much it sucks! I was a bit frustrated to be told they wanted to hold of treatment until the next test results are back but I can see how it's for the best if there's a chance it's an autoimmune condition. Just hoping the ferrous fumarate makes a difference in the meantime!

I'm really for you that you're feeling so pants as well, but as you say it is good to know someone who's going through the same! Fingers crossed we'll be reporting similar miraculous changes soon, eh?

Of course I don't mind you asking! I'm 31 but like you I feel well into old age right now. It's getting ridiculous tbh!

I can't get through the day without having a nap (typical that DS3 is trying to give his up!) then I have to summon all my energy to collect the other Ds's from school. By 6pm I'm counting the minutes til DH comes home, I'm soooo knackered! Also I've really lost my appetite in the evenings (think that's the thyroid), but you wouldn't know as I haven't lost any weight! I have started thyroxine, but I understand it can take several weeks / months before any effect is noticed...

Oh wow we hve more in common - I have three DSs too :) Yes! to needing a nap/lie-down - trudging to get the DCs from school is exhausting and I totally lose it in the evenings. I hope the thyroxine works for you!

Thank you! Please post to say how get on and I will do the same

It's weird how these things are linked - I have underactive thyroid and low iron. They did try to explain the connection but I fear it went over my head! Mine is being controlled my pills for both though. I have to admit the iron tablets aren't much fun unless you enjoy frequenting the toilet. Id rather control it with diet but it's never been suggestd.

FWIW I never had any symptoms of either, and was gutted that the weight did not 'fall off' (I've been on it for 3 years now!) - looks like it was down to the cake after all!

Hi,
I too have suffered from these symptoms. I am on Thyroxine for the thyroid, its a small tablet each day, but also on Metformin. I started them at different times and it was the metformin rather than the thyroxine that gave me my energy back, drop in appetite and weight loss (small and steady loss).

However, I have been taking iron for the anemia - I take Spatone - its in liquid form and you can get it at Tesco, Waitrose and Boots. Its a natural form of iron, incredibly effective and most importantly no impact on your bowel movements .....

I didn't take B12, however your metoblism of b12 is effected by the thyroid and this in turn effects the iron absorbtion, in fixing the thyroid my B12 levels have improved without intervention.

Everyone is different, but the important thing is the thyroid commonly causes undiagnosed problems in women, you should see a specialist rather than your GP if this is suspected, and it can effect your diet, metoblism, energy, absobtion of vitamins, all sorts.

With a dodgy thyroid, supplements for deficiencies such as iron are often your only choice as you'll not get enough from food sources. (told that by several doctors). Thryoid conditions are linked to fertility and miscarriage and can sometime mask other endocrine disorders so worth seeing a specialist to get it check out correctly.

I thought I'd come back to this thread as I finally had my first b12 injection this morning - they are 'loading' me and I am having three injections a week for two weeks (which was a right hassle to book at the GP, the poor practice nurse is losing a bit of her lunch break to do me!), then going to three-montly.

My test results for the thyroid are still borderline and 'no action' which I am a bit disappointed by. I do feel with my symptoms and history there is more going on than just the b12 but am prepared to give it a go and see how things develop. Am being retested for everything in January so can push for a referral then maybe.

Just want to feel better! Am so exhausted at the moment, the weather isn't helping of course but urgh.

Hope everyone is feeling well!

metformin can cause B12 deficency!

I am also uactive thyroid and have been anaemci in the past. Have also been px metformin but am not taking them at the moment as I am trying to bring blood sugar down by diet and exercise.

Will be interested to know if you feel better after the injections bottlebank! I have been taking the iron tablets (admittedly hit and miss, as I am terrible with taking tablets regularly) and thyroxine (religiously) for a month now and to be honest, I feel no different. I am not being treated for the b12 deficiency until I have seens the gastros (January), so I'm wondering if that's the main thing that's causing my symptoms. I know how you feel, it is just so annoying feeling exhausted all the time! Good luck with the treatment!

I am a bit about metformin; I thought that was a diabetes medication?

Zen1 - just to ask; did the dr mention to take the iron supplements at a different time of day to the thyroxine? (There are problems when they're taken together)

No Bearskin, he didn't. But I knew from my own reading that I had to leave at least 2 hrs between taking the iron and taking the thyroxine. I don't know if that's just for ferrous sulphate though? I am taking ferrous fumerate, but still trying to leave 2 hrs space between that and the thyroxine (when I remember to take the iron at all!).

Zen - as far as I can remember, my gp has told me to leave a minimum of 6 hrs between my thyroxine and any supplements, and try and take any iron tablets 12 hrs after. He also told me to avoid any calcium containing foods for an hour (either side) of taking the thyroxine.

I have to put my supplements next to my toothbrush to make sure I remember

That's interesting Bearskin. It will take military precision for me to leave a minimum of 6 hrs, as I'm meant to take the iron twice a day, especially as both the iron and thyroxine are supposed to be taken on an empty stomach! Don't know how to work that out

Twice a day? Poor you! I haven't a clue either I'm afraid...I'm bad enough at remembering to take anything