Metformin and anaemia

[lilswa123]

Was on Metformin and having B12 injections quarterly. Then I ended up in hospital as an emergency with pernicious anaemia and had to have 4 litres of blood.

Now on Rybelsus (semaglutide), with daily iron supplements and B12 tablets. Much better.

I am surprised you are all right on B12 tablets. Pernicious Anaemia (which I also have) means you cannot absorb B12 through your stomach, hence needing to bypass the stomach and have injections into the blood. Amongst other symptoms B12 deficiency can cause neurological symptoms which can mistakenly be taken for diabetes related. If you have a diagnosis of PA it is usually injections every 12 weeks for life. Metformin can eventually stop B12 from being absorbed and so do PPI's.

 

[maggyP]

Yes similar problem.
My GP phoned to say my folate was low. When I googled it I realised I had all the symptoms so I take a supplement for folate and now B12. I’m on a high dose of metformin and read this was usually the cause of B vitamin deficiency.

I’m expecting a phone call from the doctor next week about the same issue. It will be interesting to see if she mentions that it is a side effect of metformin. I’ve been taking it for 14 years.

 

[lilswa123]

I've been on metformin for many years and haven't noticed any side effects, but I take B12 from British Supplements just as a matter of course. I've been under the doctor and many other health care professionals over the last 6 months as I developed an infected blister and had to have my little toe removed and a small part of my foot, no one ever mentioned anything relevant to a B12 deficiency. Would my bloods have been checked for such?

Bloods would have been checked for B12 but if within reference range nothing further would be done and it would be accepted you have no deficiency. However if it is low in the range or borderline they SHOULD have done further tests, although unless you present with any symptoms they wont. Unfortunately a lot of symptoms of B12 deficiency can also be the same as for Diabetes (and other endocrine conditions). However if you present with these symptoms they should not automatically think it must be diabetes related because you have diabetes.

 

[swine1]

On Metformin long term. I have to have Iron infusions 2-3 times a year.

 

[Nick25]

I'm type1 and have been taking just insulin for more than 50 years, my iron levels are also low.

T1 for similar length of time. I got put on folic tabs due to low Red Blood Count and low folate. After a few months my folate levels seemed back to a more “normal” level and they took me off . All the classic symptoms of low energy, breathlessness returned - and after fresh blood tests it was no suprise ( to me) that RBC had fallen again. Not sure whether long term folic acid tabs do some other harm or just doctor’s practice trying to economise but as I get towards next drug review I plan to make a fuss if they try to take me off again , unless they can offer a justification of some other harm.

 

[grabarry]

I'm on Metformin and I have a couple of Guinness which has b12 and other vitamins and is proven good for the heart

Is that a day ?

 

[grabarry]

Is that a day ?