I am undiagnosed at the moment, but I am convinced there's something wrong with my B12 or iron. I have been anemic before due to iron defiency, twice. Anyway, the nurse gave me some of my blood test results the other day and both my B12 and Iron were within the "normal" range, but on the lower end. My B12 was 217 (the lowest value in the normal range was said to be 180) and my Iron was 30 (the lowest normal value said to be 20). Is this too low or not?
When is B12 and Iron too low?
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DustyKat
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With my kids and B12, Folate and Iron stores I like to see them solidly in mid range.
I personally hate them sitting at the low end of normal because I figure it will only be a blood test or two away before they fall into the abnormal range. The pathology lab that does my children's bloods lists 200 as the low marker for B12. Either way I think you should have supplementation to bring those values up.
Dusty. xxx
I personally hate them sitting at the low end of normal because I figure it will only be a blood test or two away before they fall into the abnormal range. The pathology lab that does my children's bloods lists 200 as the low marker for B12. Either way I think you should have supplementation to bring those values up.
Dusty. xxx
Thanks for both your replies.
The week or two prior to having my blood tests I wasn't actually feeling that bad, I feel like in the last 2-3 weeks I have got a lot worse so perhaps they have fallen even lower. I'm not sure, but I'm just trying to keep an eye on any symptoms at the moment and take a mental note of any suspicions. Either way I'll ask my GI about it next time just in case.
The week or two prior to having my blood tests I wasn't actually feeling that bad, I feel like in the last 2-3 weeks I have got a lot worse so perhaps they have fallen even lower. I'm not sure, but I'm just trying to keep an eye on any symptoms at the moment and take a mental note of any suspicions. Either way I'll ask my GI about it next time just in case.
I also feel like that often, on top of feeling just generally tired all the time anyway.
rygon
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yeh thats a big problem with crohns and anemia. If you can eat high iron food it should help. (spinach, kale, red meat). If they do think its too low then it will be iron infusions and tablets to help. Do you bleed at all when you go to the toilet? (where else could i ask a question like that lol)
Most vegetables kill me, but red meat I can tolerate. I have been treated for being iron deficient before but was anemic for 8 months, still. I'm wondering if it could be linked with my thyroid issues, as that's what it was put down to before, but that is completely controlled so I'm not sure. I don't bleed when I go, nope - love the fact you can ask here though 8)
14Girl96, your values are a little on the low side. I know I just had a B12 level checked last week and it was 313 and my doc considered that pretty low. He gave me a double dose of B12 and will recheck it in about three weeks. As for the iron, I haven't had it checked for a long time, but the last time it was it was borderline (don't remember the numerical values, sorry).
B12 and iron are two things that will certainly make you feel horrible even if they haven't fallen beneath the cutoff of the low part of the range. If you're feeling that bad, energy wise I'd speak to your doc about it and see if he wants to go ahead and supplement you with B12 injections and some iron supplementation. Good luck with everything!
B12 and iron are two things that will certainly make you feel horrible even if they haven't fallen beneath the cutoff of the low part of the range. If you're feeling that bad, energy wise I'd speak to your doc about it and see if he wants to go ahead and supplement you with B12 injections and some iron supplementation. Good luck with everything!
I forgot to ask you earlier...have you had your Vitamin D checked lately? Vitamin D is another essential that can make you exhausted and moody if your level's off- I experienced that, too. The moodiness was kind of like being on Prednisone. That med made me very cranky at times. Anyway, I'll be hoping that your levels come up and that you feel much better soon.
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Definately low or the B12. My doctor and I just discussed this! He said that the newer tests are cheaper than the old tests they used to do, and a little more sensitive. So, the test ends up picking up B12 that is not bioavailable as well as B12 that your body can use. Therefore, if you are having symptoms, you definately need to boost your B12 levels. My lab range is 200 to 1100 - and mine was 265 (about). I think that in that big of a range, anything less than half would be low. That is just my opinion. I havent' gotten my first shot, yet, but here is hoping it helps!
Sunflower, I completely agree with you. My doc is letting me give myself the B12 injections at home, seeing as he's about 45 min away. I've also given myself injections before, so I think that helped influence his decision. But I certainly agree with you on the lab value...if it's less than half than you're getting low- my opinion as well. I will say that when I first started getting the injections that after a couple of days I could feel a difference and I actually had some energy! Wishing you the best, sunflower, and hoping that the injections help you too.
Wishing you the best, sunflower, and hoping that the injections help you too.Darkmuse, I don't think I had my Vitamin D checked, I think if I explain to her how exhausted, achey and everything I am next time (we mainly focussed on the pain and D last time) she'll do another check for what she think could be the cause. Either way, I'll bring it up, thanks.
Sunflower, thank you! That's what I was looking for. Just because I'm in normal range doesn't mean I can't be too low on it, right? Thanks for your help, and I hope your shots help too.
Sunflower, thank you! That's what I was looking for. Just because I'm in normal range doesn't mean I can't be too low on it, right? Thanks for your help, and I hope your shots help too.
My iron last was 8 so overdue for infusion but they haven't rushed it, took 2 mths before got appointment for end of sept!
Can tell it's low, period missing and very very drained! Hurts to climb stairs!
You can get iron tablets or liquid but they made me really sick!
Hope ur feeling bit more perky soon x
Can tell it's low, period missing and very very drained! Hurts to climb stairs!
You can get iron tablets or liquid but they made me really sick!
Hope ur feeling bit more perky soon x
Hun that sounds awful
You need to be seen sooner than the end of the month, don't just accept the appointment they give you. Get your GP to push for you and ring the clinic to get put on the cancellation list. Failing that, go to A&E, tell them why you are so sick and hopefully they can either give you an infusion there and then or get you a sooner appointment.
