B12 deficiency - Can I ask what were your symptoms if you have this or have previously suffered??

[InkyTreasuresbookstore]

Following on from some private blood tests, I may (possibly) have a B12 issue.

I have been suffering from some chronic health issues for many, many years and getting nowhere with the NHS on this and am now looking into paying for a few more tests to know for sure.

I hope that I am no 'barking up the wrong tree' as such but I just wonder what issues you had that lead to you seeking out or discovering you had a B12 deficiency?

I mean if you have all these symptoms why not just treat yourself with the B12 protocol anyway, get iron up (maybe an infusion), take the cofactors, inject for 6 months, monitor. The worst thing that can happen is that you have more vitamins than you need and as long as you don't OD on the ones that matter (like B6) you will be fine. And it's diagnostic.

Because I want to know what I’m dealing with. I’ve struggled with various health issues for a long time and am fed up with health professionals dismissing me.

As I’ve already mentioned, I previously had ferritin levels of 3 for almost 8 years and ended up needing emergency infusions prior to an operation, all because my GP constantly dismissed me for so long.

I appreciate your reply but I don’t need advice on what to do, I was simply asking in my op about symptoms. I am going to see Dr Klein in Cambridge for advice. I’d rather do this first before simply self injecting and second guessing. Doctors have spent too long throwing stuff at me simply to see what sticks and I’ve had enough, I want to know what I’m dealing with once and for all, I’ve lost too many valuable years feeling like crap.

It makes a lot of sense that you feel like that and it is hugely frustrating not to have clear diagnoses and a protocol to follow. I hear what you're saying.

Just bear in mind though if it is pernicious anaemia, the gold standard is "try it and see if you feel better" - rather than anything more certain. At the same time, the NHS will be unlikely to prescribe injections at anything like the frequency you would need. The best you'll get from Klein also will probably be "give it a go" and a description of the B12 protocol.

It absolutely sucks, but if it is that, nobody will come over the hill to give you certainty and clarity, you're sort of treating yourself.

i was tired often even with 8h sleep, and taking shop bought vitamins. I was feeling dizzy often in crowds. I was only taking serious when i passed out at home and ended up in a&e.
I was prescribed iron and b12, did a 3 months course and with a combination of medication and targeted food products to improve i sorted myself out in around 6 months. It’s now “normal” but i still dont feel 100% and i am just more careful about eating the right food for this issue.

Can I ask if all your symptoms completely resolved after your levels improved? I'm interested as apart from exhaustion, I have these symptoms, I should really get a blood test done.

@InkyTreasuresbookstore this is a really interesting thread. I have also been experiencing some chronic issues for many years so I sympathise. Have you had any results from your MMA test? I'd never heard of this test before, is there a particular company you can recommend for getting it done? I hope you get some answers to your symptoms soon!

I am/was B12 deficient, it is part of my inflammatory neuropathy and makes my symptoms (tingling, pins and needles, numbness in feet, hands and face, plus balance problems) much worse. Supplements made no difference, I ended up with the injections and they’ve made a difference both to my symptoms and my levels (I get them checked every 6 months as part of a panel of blood tests to do with my IN treatment).

I’d not heard about cracked heels though, and I’ve suffered from that all of my adult life. So will be interesting to look for improvement there.

Thank you. I haven't had the results back yet, I received an email yesterday advising me of delays due to technical issues!

A few months ago someone recommended I contact Dr Andrew Klein (can't recall if it was on here or FB?). He is a consultant Anaesthetist at Addenbrooks hospital and he also runs an Iron and B12 clinic. He was very helpful when I emailed him with my NHS blood results and suggested that I may indeed have some B12 issues. He then recommended the MMA test and suggested a company called Neovos. The test they offered was a urine sample test as opposed to the blood ones many other companies offer. I have no idea if the urine test is better or not but it was cheaper than all the others.

However, 10 days on and I still haven't received the results from Neovos yet. Dr Klein advised me to email back when I do receive them so it's till a work in progress as such.