Vit b12

[kat-y]

Hi, I'm wondering when vit b12 is prescribed. I had right hemi colectomy 18mths ago and am on Azathioprine for CD ever since as some inflammation still present after surgery. I take extreme care with diet to keep bowel settled and exercise daily but have really low energy levels. Very frustrating :thumbdown: All my reg bloods are fine so I am not anaemic - wondering should I be looking at vit b12 or are there specific symptoms that would be obvious ? Doc has never mentioned it ...so I just take a multivitamin but nothing else - not helping energy levels though . help ?

 

[Terriernut]

They should be checking your vitamin B12 when they take your blood, along with your iron levels. Next time you have bloods, ask them to check that as well. And vitamin D.

 

[Chris_]

hi kat-y!I am also on azathioprine for CD.My energy levels were very low and sometimes i was feeling dizzy and shortness of breath while exercising.
My blood tests and my vit 12 levels were normal.
Multivitamins did not help me either.
My GI prescribed Neurobion injections(once a week),i am in the third week now and i feel great.No sideffects and lots of energy.

You can check this site for more info about vit 12.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12-HealthProfessional/

 

[kat-y]

Chris - will now get vit b12 + D tests done per the advice I got on forum in next routine bloods and mention alternative as a possibility next time I talk to the gastro consultant. Getting mixed reviews from specialist nurses as to whether this is just an accepted symptom of CD and therefore just to live with it. Can I ask - are you in the UK ? ( which is where I am) as these injections have never been mentioned ( nor has vit b12 hence the reason I came to the forum with the question).

 

[Terriernut]

Kat-y, yes, you can certainly get vitamin B12 injections here in the UK.

 

[kat-y]

Hi sorry it was the Neurobion injections I had never heard of here - thx for your advice to ask them to included vit 12 + vit D in my bloods. Concerned that with living in Scotland where hardly any sun anyway and avoiding sun exposure that my Vit D will be badly affected. But no one has mentioned either as a concern since I went on Azathioprine ...

 

[Terriernut]

Hmmm, not that I've heard of. If you have an IBD nurse she would know. As far as I know, they give you injections of B12 and iron infusions, but not of the multi vitamin variety. But who knows? I can see where a crohnie could use it though!

 

[kat-y]

Haven't got an IBD nurse yet but hopefully will have soon, will certainly have some good questions when I get one now though !

 

[Terriernut]

I hope you get one soon too!

 

[rygon]

My regular blood tests include B12and Iron (Ferritin) even though ive never asked for them. I think the UK do test for a lot but never tell you unless its below normal (would still be worth asking)

For iron they can give transfusions or iron tablets, which are much stronger than multi vits.

B12 are injections

 

[DustyKat]

Both of my children have had right hemicolectomies and are also on Azathioprine as a maintenance medication.

I have always had their Folate, B12 and Iron Stores (Ferritin) tested along with the usual Full Blood Count (FBC), Urea/Electrolytes/Creatinine (UEC's) and Liver Function Tests (LFT's) at regular intervals. I now also have them tested for Vit D as well.

How extensive was your resection?

My daughter had about 70cm resected and was prescribed B12 injections from the outset. My son had a far more conservative resection of 28cm and we are monitoring him at present.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Chris_]

Can I ask - are you in the UK ? ( which is where I am) as these injections have never been mentioned ( nor has vit b12 hence the reason I came to the forum with the question).

No i am not in UK so its probably a different product name there.The one i am talking about contain B1 B6 and B12.

http://www.galenica.gr/index.php?section=696

 

[kat-y]

Dusty Kat, my resection was abt 25 cm so not so extensive , for which I am thankful. I get kidney, liver , uec, fbc bloods done but no mention of vit d or b12...so I now am educated enough to ask thanks to the input I've had here..

 

[kat-y]

Has anyone been advised to fast for a few hours before the blood test for vit b12 ? I saw this somewhere but am going to docs tomorrow but it hasn't been mentioned.