just back from doc's- upset because I can't get anywhere

never_enough

Tempting as it may be to make yourself feel better I'd urge you not to start taking any new over the counter vitamins etc You need to get things tested & sorted, if you're taking iron or a multi vit or whatever you could easily screw up your test results. That Dr sounds like a real banker, so don't see him again, some are just like that.

marshallka

boltonangel wrote: »

Hi

The title is a little confusing but I didn't know what to write.

In Sept 09 I went to my old GP (we've moved areas) complaining with constantly feeling tired and gaining weight. She thought that I may have an underactive thyroid because my neck was 'full' looking so sent bloods off to be tested.
They came back saying that I didn't have a thyroid problem but did have a b12 deficiency.

I was then prescribed b12 injections every 3 months. I went for the 1st month.

Felling constantly tired again I went to visit my new GP and asked if I could have another injection (I already have the actual vial of b12) but he said that I couldn't possibly have b12 aneamia as I am not thin enough.
I mentioned that whatever I do I constantly keep gaining weight, for example this week I have started slimming world and stuck to it because the only person who suffers if I don't is me and have gained 4 pounds in less than a week!
I did slimming world in 2008 and lost 3 stones so I know it works.

The GP said that I need to cut to 1000 calories a day and that I should stop making excuses for my weight gain but that he would arrange for more blood tests just to prove I don't have b12 deficiency.

I am so upset. I got out of the surgery and burst into tears in the car park in front of my 2 year old and haven't stopped since.
I just don't know what to do. I have tried everything and nothing is working anymore. I feel so down all the time and have started to stop going out unless it's absolutely necessary.

I am 5ft 4 and now weigh 11st despite weighing 10st 11 on weds.

My sis had what is called "large red cells" a few years ago and was sent to hematology but they did not treat at the time. Now going on a few years, her red cells are even bigger and she has lost over 2.5 stone in a couple of months and still losing now. She was diagnosed with b12 and goes to hematology again next week. They have not offered her b12 injections but from what I have read weight "loss" is when you are actually showing symptoms of b12 deficiencyto BUT people who take b12 can lose weight with it which is confusing. My sis also has just been hospitalised for stomach issues over christmas and has also been diagnosed after ct scan and colonoscopy for diverticular disease. We have yet to find out if its actually pernacious aneamia she has.

I sympathise with you being told one thing and then another. If your b12 is low though it needs to be sorted as if its left untreated can have horrid effects on you which is what I think has happened to my sis. I think they left it so long that she has now got symptoms. This should have been sorted a few years back.

tandraig

was merely suggesting that you may now have more allergies than the original tests showed boltonangel. its just that your story reminded me of a client who couldnt understand her weight ballooning although she was on a diet recommended by her gp - lots of pasta, bread etc, and hardly any fats or protiens and the poor woman gained so much wieght!! she turned out to be gluten intolerant and should avoid these foods! not trying to diagnose you - just pointing out that a hidden allergy or intolerance can really make a difference to the diet which works for you.

Mrs_P_Pincher

Be wary of GPs saying that because results are 'within range' everything is all right.

I had my B12 checked and it was at a reasonable level, although in the bottom half of the range. I started supplementing with a sublingual 1000mcg tablet every day (dissolves under the tongue so absorbed better) and within 2 weeks my hair was growing back! Remember B12 deficiency is not the same as pernicious anaemia.

Also I was told that my ferritin (stored iron) was OK because it was 'within range' but the range starts at 15 and mine was 18 and it needs to be between 70 and 90 to be optimal.

Once I started taking B12 and iron my TSH level started to come down and now it is almost normal.

It's a biochemistry balancing act.

Hang in there - sure you'll get it sorted in the end,

33missy33

Lobell wrote: »

Please seek a second opinion about the B12 deficiency...Pernicious Anaemia is potentially very serious. However, I also note that you say you are allergic to diary. B12 is derived primarily from meat and dairy so it could be that you are simply not getting enough from your diet. You really need to establish conclusiely if you have a B12 deficiceny and what the cause of it is as it may be just that you need to adjust your diet.

And as for your Doctor saying that you are not thin enough to be B12 deficient...I was extremely overweight when my pernicious Anaemia was diagnosed. I have lost quite a lot of weight since then (and continue to lose weight) but my deficiency is because I lack the intrinsic factor required to absorb B12 from food.

The fact that I have now lost a significant amount of weight may be connected to the fact that I now have my B12 levels regulated...I can't say for sure as I also came off the Depo contraceptive injection not long after and it is known to cause weight gain. But I defintely had more energy after starting on the B12 injections which makes me more inclined to exercise.

I can't stress enough how important it is that you find out more about the possible B12 deficiency. If you Google 'Pernicious Anaemia' there is loads of informataion about it's side effects and going for a prolonged period untreated is very dangerous. There is a very informatie forum on the Pernicious Anaemia Society website. One injection every 3 months may also not be enough to raise your levels sufficiently...I had to have weekly injections for the first 6 weeks and then moved onto the 3 monthly regime.

You can change your doctor at any time for any reason...if you are not happy with this one (and he sounds dreadful) or perhaps see another in the practice.

Good luck in getting proper treatment.

Can I just say, that I have Pernicious Anaemia, and I am also overweight. I have had two tests for thyroid problems, but these have come back as normal. I am afraid your doctor is wrong, some people with PA dont necessarily lose weight with the condition. Hope you are finally getting somewhere.

poppy_f1

i have a underactive thyroid and b12 deficiency, been diagnosed for over 2 years yet im still overweight - on tablets for both, at some point im told im i will need b12 injections.
im slowly losing weight however its not consistent, i could lose 2lbs one week but put 3 on with no change in diet
im getting my 6 month repeat bloods next week and it is something im gonna bring up with the GP, i think the tyroxine im taking alieviates some of the symptons but there is still some days where i feel like im getting no where, not just with the weight but i still get a lot of the thyroid symptons

I guess im really wanting to say even if they did say you had a underactive tyroid, its not a quick fix, 2 years on and im still coming to terms with everything about it and i have a generally good GP (but one who i think doesnt want to up my meds for some reason)