T1 diabetic with low B12

[Tracey69]

I have been a T1 one diabetic for 36yrs. I have just been diagnosed with permious aneamia.( hopefully spelt right) Apparently most diabetic patients especially over 18yrs old or older and long term diabetic should have their B12 levels tested. They find that we don't absorb the B12 properly. I also had the anti body test for B12 which came up positive, so i have started having B12 injections. One every other day for two weeks and then it will be one every three months for life. When i read some information people on metformin can have this problem. It another auto immune disease how unusual. It can make you feel unwell but not know why. symptons can be tiredness, palpitations ( fast heartbeat) breathlessness, loss of appetite. not everyone gets these as everyone is different I have some of the symptons especially tiredness and we are not sure as i have had palpitations but I am also coming off another drug which can cause this. Hopefully after the six injections of the B12 i should get some benefit.
Are their any others with this problem and how long has it been that they found this problem with diabetics.
Thanks Tracey69

 

[josie38]

Hi tracey,

I have just had blood tests for this. I have been feeling unwell for some time and had to go to the drs last week as i am tired of the tiredness!

Hopefully will find out soon

Josie

 

[donnellysdogs]

I was wrongly diagnosed with B12 and folic deficiency 7 years ago, had injections and even paid for a private infusion of B12 and minerals, as I was feeling so desperately ill constantly.

Don't know why, but since just before the private paid infusion of B12 my levels returned completely to normal...and 2 years on...they are still normal.....whereas PA is meant to be for life.

The correct diagnosis for me was fibromyalgia, and since getting the right combination of drugs, massages, acupuncture etc I am for the first time in probably 15 years feeling pretty well.

I do not know what caused the turn around in my B12 levels at all. I had the tests for antibodies and endoscopy etc...and all specialists agreed with PA diagnosis. It was my GP here after I moved, that suggested it was not B12 deficiency.

I think personally that some of this is down to growing all my own fruit and veg for the past 3 years, and eating so much of it. Also I have cut down on carbs to between 60-130g per day a t a very max.....mainly coming in about 70-90 per day.

The main thing that has been cut out of my diet is processed foods....the only processed food I eat occasionally is bread. I do have milk and benecol daily. Apart form that all my main meals are mainly lean meats and own grown veg when in season. I never eat pre-packaged ready meals as I used to do on work days...I used to think...but actually just as quick to steam veg and fish/chicken etc....just as quick and I believe this has stopped my PA, as I defintely did have very, very, very low levels of folate and B12.

 

[ClaireG 06]

I'm undergoing investigations for high blood pressure and tiredness etc. I had a stress test on Friday and one of the HCPs over seeing the test suggested i ask the Dr for various blood tests one of which was B12.

 

[arekwhite]

i like your post dude...

 

[donnellysdogs]

Have yo had an endoscopy for confirmation of PA and to rule out other causes???? What levels were you for your diagnosis???

My low B12 and Folate was only picked up by my hospital as I was referred there for signs of dementia at 41 years old.....it was diagnosed after endoscpoys as well.

I thinkthat the signals of dementia came from, my brain in general, having been placed on statins needlessly, and from hypo's perhaps as well.

My physical symptoms were misdiagnosed the same time as being palindromic rheumatism.

I hope that your HCP is also sending you for an endoscopy....for tiredness, if this also affects you, I would definitely request a Vitamin D test to be considered.....

I would also recommend eating as much fresh veg and lean meat as possible.....my biggest failing I believe was thinking that as long as I was eating some food with nutrition in it..and it was quick, then I was getting all the necessary carbs and vitamins. I wasn't going without veg, but it was less than now....it actually takes less time to cook fresh meat & veg steamed than cooking a pre processed combined meal......I now put my PA and palindromic down to a total misdiagnosis that was probably helped a long by my eating processed foods.....

 

[Tracey69]

Thanks for the responses i got. They haven't mentioned endoscopy but are going to scan my throat as it feels like i have a big lump when i swallow. But i am also border line under active thyroid. I am also on A strong pain killer which i am slowly coming off, which i do get side effects. Recently i have started to feel not right again, often feel like my body is shaking and heart racing, but no energy. What does the endoscopy show with low B12 and the anti bodies.
thank Tracey69

 

[iHs]

Hi

Tracey

If you google 'underactive thyroid goitre B12' you will see links that will probably explain your symptoms. A goitre is a lump that can sometimes occur with thyroid disease and causes difficulty in swallowing. B12 deficiency is also linked to thyroid disease.

I'm sure the tests will confirm what is wrong.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Not sure to be quite honest why they do endoscopys for B12 deficiency-I thinkit is to rule out coeliac disease.
iHs is spot on recommending to look at thryroid goitre....