Low vit D and anemia- experiences please

[Els1983]

I've had a raft of blood tests after having the following symptoms for the past 4 weeks:

• tiredness
• lightheaded
• breathlessness (even at rest)
• low bp (100/55)

Thyroid, diabetes and everything else fine except:

Hb 10
Vit D- 20
Ferritin 14

Is it possible for ALL my symptoms to be down to anemia and low vit D? The Dr is now checking my b12 levels. I'm 41 and have had very heavy periods since 2nd DS 4 years ago.

I'm starting on ferrous fumerate and Vit D high strength spray. How long till I feel normal again?

Bump?

Yes, it is possible for all of those symptoms to be caused by those low Vitamin D and anaemia, though it is good for your doctor to be checking others as well, as it is fairly common to have more than one.

Sadly, how long it takes to feel better is a how long is a piece of string situation. Personally, when I've been really low, I've had a mild improvement once I get the supplements/diet changes right, and then it slowly improves with low bumps now and then over several months ahead.

I remember going onto prescription Vit D and feeling elatedly human within a day, but it took many months before I was really better & I still need high supplements to keep symptoms of it at bay.

When i suffer the doctor usually puts me on high dose of folic acid. You cant get it over tge counter, only through the dr

I can never remember the numbers but anaemia can be really debilitating. Have they suggested anything more drastic like a transfusion or an iron infusion? The best product I've found to give me a lift quickly is Active Iron which starts making a difference in a few days (no, I don't work for them). Are you in the UK?

@Shakethedisease I'm in the UK but I've been prescribed 210mg of ferrous fumerate to take, would that not work better than active iron, as that's a much lower dose?

@RamblingEclectic did you have all those symptoms listed? The low bp has me confused as I didn't know vitamin deficiency could cause that..

Bump anyone?

Just remember no dairy,eggs or indigestion medication two hours before and after taking iron as it binds to the iron and your body won't absorb it fully

@RamblingEclectic @Giraff3 did you also have low bp as one of your symptoms? I can understand feeling dizzy but I haven't heard anyone saying their deficiencies caused low bp...

Yes. I also have low resting heart rate around 48. I do get dizzyness. But over the years the dr has prescribed me high dose folic acid. I do take b12 suppliments

I have very low Vit D, iron is on the low side so I'm taking extra. I've been feeling so tired, my bp is lower than usual so I think it's quite possible you're having those symptoms because of it. If you feel things still aren't right after you've been taking them for a while you could check back in with the GP.

@Giraff3 can I ask how low your bp got and has this now resolved with your supplements?

I had this. My BP got to 90/60 and my resting heart rate went as low as 38. I am now feeling much better on supplements but still not completely back to normal

@Bookish123 can I ask what your symptoms were and how long before you started to feel better?