Why am I deficient in so many things? Any thoughts?

[mouseinmyattic]

Hi everyone,

I would appreciate any advice/ experience on deficiencies.

I've had recent blood tests, which have shown that I'm deficient in Vitamin D- the level if 23 and it should not go below 50 and ideally be closer to 70.

B12 is 197, which is low but not technically deficient until 10 points lower.

Ferritin has chronically been in single figures or at the highest into the teens if I take iron for weeks on end.

GP also checked my thyroid recently which was TSH 3.86, T4 12 so normal.

Symptom wise I am very low in energy, have poor quality sleep, poor concentration and somewhat low mood/ more anxious. I've wondered if I'm perimenopausal but now wondering if it could relate to being low in several things. Just wondering why I would be so low though?

GP has put me on Vitamin D megadoses to be taken weekly and isn't too bothered about any of the other stuff.

Part of the reason I'm asking for any similar experience/ advice is that I'm considering discussing HRT with my GP as I'm mid 40s. Menstrual cycle is now quite erratic, periods are heavy but always have been and not unmanageably so. But I'm wondering if maybe the issues I'm having are due to deficiencies and nothing to do with perimenopause.

Do you have any digestive problems? Things like Coeliac disease can cause you to be seriously deprived of vitamins and iron

I don't know but I am following as am in the same situation. Everything is low/borderline and my hair has been falling out for years. Yet doctor doesn't seem bothered.

My digestion is a bit variable but I don't think it is a major issue. There is coeliac disease in my family so it might be worth mentioning to the GP. I was getting psyched up to go in and ask for HRT but maybe I should explore that first, thanks for the suggestion.

@Europilgrim I hope you find some answers too. I have heard low ferritin can cause hair loss.

It’ll be your gut. That’s why you are absorbing nutrients properly.

*arent

All of the symptoms you describe could be linked to peri menopause and of course won't be helped by any underlying deficiencies. It would be worth you looking up the Menopause Matters info online regarding peri to discuss with the GP and I always think that it helps to go armed with as much information as possible as not all GPs are clued up in this area.

Most people ate deficient in vit D unless supplementing

Your B12 levels are not sufficient, they should be above 800. Consider having injections privately.

2 possibilities...

1. Some sort of gastric issues hampering absorption, could be anything from celiac, to H.pylori infection. This won't directly affect sunlight vitamin D, but could hamper absorption of the minerals such as magnesium that it needs to be properly absorbed

1. Genetics ... DD & I turned out to have a few dodgy genes that affected our ability to process vitamins, mainly D, B12, Folate & Thiamine

Your iron is low because your B12 is low... iron works with B12 & folate to make healthy blood cells, if any are low, the others can't work properly & iron is often low as a result of low B12.

Your B12 is definitely low. National guidelines are urgent treatment of anything 200 or below with a loading dose of 6 injections taken with folic acid or folate & iron too if you or low. It can vary from trust to trust, but national guidelines over rule that. Not treating you is officially negligent though

This explains levels etc. show it to your doctor...

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anaemia-b12-folate-deficiency/diagnosis/interpreting-investigation-results/

That TSH is very high! Doctors say it is fine, but most people function better when it is 2 or under.
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? I would request those as from my experience, all of that points to thyroid issues. Low vit D, b12, ferritin and folate are all very common with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (auotimmune thyroid disorder leading to underactive thyroid).

Sorry - not 'very' high, but it would be very high for me, who is medicated on thyroxine!

Just to add, both mine & DDs thyroid tests are out of range. Apparently this common with B12 deficiency & our levels normalised again with B12 injections, folate, b vitamins, iron & a high potassium diet to properly activate the B12 injections

Watching as I am similar, low or borderline in all the above. Also mildly hypothyroid.

I would feel shocking with TSH that high. I was furious as suffered for years until TSH went sky high until I was medicated ( you get free prescriptions for everything once diagnosed hypothyroid as it is a chronic but manageable condition). Maybe insist on a small dose of medication low dose as it sounds like classic thyroid. People who are hypothyroid classically suffer with absorbing vitamins also.

Following as I've just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism but I've no idea what my levels are. Will ask.

Check for coeliac and also primary hyperparathyroidism re Vit D levels and symptoms

@RockinHorseShit

2 possibilities...

1. Some sort of gastric issues hampering absorption, could be anything from celiac, to H.pylori infection. This won't directly affect sunlight vitamin D, but could hamper absorption of the minerals such as magnesium that it needs to be properly absorbed

1. Genetics ... DD & I turned out to have a few dodgy genes that affected our ability to process vitamins, mainly D, B12, Folate & Thiamine

Your iron is low because your B12 is low... iron works with B12 & folate to make healthy blood cells, if any are low, the others can't work properly & iron is often low as a result of low B12.

Your B12 is definitely low. National guidelines are urgent treatment of anything 200 or below with a loading dose of 6 injections taken with folic acid or folate & iron too if you or low. It can vary from trust to trust, but national guidelines over rule that. Not treating you is officially negligent though

How did you find out about the genetic condition?

How did you find out about the genetic condition?

We took a DNA test & using the code in Genetic Genie, it flags up any potential genetic mutations. The methylisation bit covers things like vitamin D... we need more than normal
B12... can't process it properly... confirmed by GP test
Folate... we can't process folic acid into folate, so need to take folate. & thiamine. This actually helped with diagnosis

Thiamine, D, B12 & showed up as a genetic problem when my DB was tested at the NHS metabolic clinic in Salford too

@Missmissmiiiiiiiiisss

Is it the MTHFR gene mutation ? My dad has that.

I was deficient in all of those and was later diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. I’d ask GP for a blood test!

@minipie

It one of the ones that can affect B12 metabolism, but we don't have that one

Dr will probably retest your vitamin D levels and then address any remaining deficiencies.
Some extremely helpful posts above.
Low Vitamin D levels cause other vitamin deficiencies but consider the other suggestions.

@RockinHorseShit

How did you find out about the genetic condition?

We took a DNA test & using the code in Genetic Genie, it flags up any potential genetic mutations. The methylisation bit covers things like vitamin D... we need more than normal
B12... can't process it properly... confirmed by GP test
Folate... we can't process folic acid into folate, so need to take folate. & thiamine. This actually helped with diagnosis

Thiamine, D, B12 & showed up as a genetic problem when my DB was tested at the NHS metabolic clinic in Salford too

@Missmissmiiiiiiiiisss

Thanks! Maybe I need to get tested.