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Low ferritin & B12 - should I supplement?

33 replies

GlitterGlue · 16/06/2018 20:39

Got a call the other day to say ferritin was low and B12 borderline low and I needed to see the gp to discuss. Fine, except they can’t see me until July. And I feel like shit. Can I/should I take supplements in the interim?

It’s further complicated in that I’ve been taking PPIs for acid reflux, and low iron and B12 can be a side effect. I did ask if I should stop taking them now (supposed to be trying to wean myself off them soon anyway) but was told to wait and see the GP. Tests were negative for h pylori.

OP posts:
GlitterGlue · 26/06/2018 19:26

Well, I feel a bit brighter on the iron, but I’m having numbness and (painful at times) tingling in hands and feet. I’m struggling to get a gp appointment so have had a good google and it seems that it can be a result of low iron/ferritin. Has anyone had similar?

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Eloisedublin123 · 26/06/2018 20:31

That’s the v low b12 OP 😬

GlitterGlue · 26/06/2018 21:10

It’s not low enough for them to do anything about though. I have ordered some super strong b12 sublingual tablets.

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Eloisedublin123 · 26/06/2018 21:58

Did they say that? Sorry op 😬

Sweetandkind · 26/06/2018 22:21

You would be better off seeing another gp as supplements will skew results of another test and make it less likely to get a proper diagnosis 🤔

Labradoodliedoodoo · 30/06/2018 00:08

YOU can’t pay for B12 injections privately.

You can give yourself b12 injections if you buy in from Germany.

Try giving up gluten

Labradoodliedoodoo · 30/06/2018 00:09

BEstsee different gp first though. That’s very low score. I was treated with similar levels

GlitterGlue · 10/07/2018 17:04

Bit of an update, have had the endoscopy and everything looked normal. They’ve taken some samples and are checking for coeliac disease. In hindsight I suspect that my ferritin has been low for a long time. On the plus side I think the iron is starting to help and feet less numb.

Seeing your insides on the screen is quite strange. I had it without sedation and although it was definitely unpleasant it wasn’t that bad.

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