The mystery of menopause... so for years I was chronically anemic, unable to hold onto iron in my system so needed intravenous injections twice a year, three times a day for six weeks. Hated the procedure but it did seem to help me feel better - prior to meno had insanely heavy, long periods so doctors believed this was my problem. No one ever tested my B12 levels so I never took the vitamin.
Speed up to menopause kicking 150%, no periods for a year now and doctors convinced my iron stores are fine - I am so sick and exhausted all the time I think I either need iron again OR I need to be taking big doses of B12. I run 10-12 miles a day so that's an obvious energy sapper, but I also have a meno plan and daily supplement regimen that has worked really well so far... just can't seem to get my fatigue, flu feeling, crushing exhaustion under control.
Anyone know if upping B12 has or can help? Any feedback would be awesome.
Full Version: Chronic Anemia for Years - Now B12 Deficient?
Hi, I'm not technically anemic but my ferritin tends to be chronically below normal, my iron binding capacity high (which is a sign of anemia), and my percent saturation low. So even though I'm not classically anemic, I do have trouble maintaining iron levels. I take supplements on and off -- I do it for awhile, thinking I'm fine, but I always dip back into deficiency.
A few years ago when I was going through a period of unbelievable exhaustion, feeling like I was going to pass out every time I stood up, shortness of breath, the whole works, the iron deficiency was once again discovered. At that time, my doctor also tested my B12. Bingo. It was very low normal at 250, but even my conventional-medicine-physician-assistant sister-in-law said she'd give B12 shots with levels that low. I opted for sublingual B12 as it's supposed to be as effective. Rebounded from that episode.
Fast forward to last winter, another huge crisis, shakes, balance problems, anxiety, on and on. Once again my iron is low, once again my B12 is low. This time a severe Vitamin D deficiency along with magnesium deficiency, zinc deficiency, and iodine deficiency was discovered.
I think the B12 can definitely help you. The magnesium supplementation and Vitamin D supplementation have helped me a lot, too.
Can you get your doctor to give you at least a B12 and Vit. D test?
Even if you don't get tested, I think a B12 supplement is worth a shot. You may have to give it some time, though -- at least a few weeks or more.
Good luck,
Missy
A few years ago when I was going through a period of unbelievable exhaustion, feeling like I was going to pass out every time I stood up, shortness of breath, the whole works, the iron deficiency was once again discovered. At that time, my doctor also tested my B12. Bingo. It was very low normal at 250, but even my conventional-medicine-physician-assistant sister-in-law said she'd give B12 shots with levels that low. I opted for sublingual B12 as it's supposed to be as effective. Rebounded from that episode.
Fast forward to last winter, another huge crisis, shakes, balance problems, anxiety, on and on. Once again my iron is low, once again my B12 is low. This time a severe Vitamin D deficiency along with magnesium deficiency, zinc deficiency, and iodine deficiency was discovered.
I think the B12 can definitely help you. The magnesium supplementation and Vitamin D supplementation have helped me a lot, too.
Can you get your doctor to give you at least a B12 and Vit. D test?
Even if you don't get tested, I think a B12 supplement is worth a shot. You may have to give it some time, though -- at least a few weeks or more.
Good luck,
Missy
Hi, I am amazed that someone with chronic anemia can jog! That's impressive. My maternal grandmother had pernicious anemia which is a vitamin B deficiency. You are lucky that they can do something for your B12. I agree, ask for the tests...I hope you can feel better soon.. Not fun being fatigued at all!
Suzanne
Suzanne
I take weekly B-12 injections and if I go longer I can tell my energy levels bomb out. It does help me. It is like being a drug addict shooting myself up with it lol! 
QUOTE (missy5 @ Jul 11 2009, 08:59 PM) 
Hi, I'm not technically anemic but my ferritin tends to be chronically below normal, my iron binding capacity high (which is a sign of anemia), and my percent saturation low. So even though I'm not classically anemic, I do have trouble maintaining iron levels. I take supplements on and off -- I do it for awhile, thinking I'm fine, but I always dip back into deficiency.
A few years ago when I was going through a period of unbelievable exhaustion, feeling like I was going to pass out every time I stood up, shortness of breath, the whole works, the iron deficiency was once again discovered. At that time, my doctor also tested my B12. Bingo. It was very low normal at 250, but even my conventional-medicine-physician-assistant sister-in-law said she'd give B12 shots with levels that low. I opted for sublingual B12 as it's supposed to be as effective. Rebounded from that episode.
Fast forward to last winter, another huge crisis, shakes, balance problems, anxiety, on and on. Once again my iron is low, once again my B12 is low. This time a severe Vitamin D deficiency along with magnesium deficiency, zinc deficiency, and iodine deficiency was discovered.
I think the B12 can definitely help you. The magnesium supplementation and Vitamin D supplementation have helped me a lot, too.
Can you get your doctor to give you at least a B12 and Vit. D test?
Even if you don't get tested, I think a B12 supplement is worth a shot. You may have to give it some time, though -- at least a few weeks or more.
Good luck,
Missy
A few years ago when I was going through a period of unbelievable exhaustion, feeling like I was going to pass out every time I stood up, shortness of breath, the whole works, the iron deficiency was once again discovered. At that time, my doctor also tested my B12. Bingo. It was very low normal at 250, but even my conventional-medicine-physician-assistant sister-in-law said she'd give B12 shots with levels that low. I opted for sublingual B12 as it's supposed to be as effective. Rebounded from that episode.
Fast forward to last winter, another huge crisis, shakes, balance problems, anxiety, on and on. Once again my iron is low, once again my B12 is low. This time a severe Vitamin D deficiency along with magnesium deficiency, zinc deficiency, and iodine deficiency was discovered.
I think the B12 can definitely help you. The magnesium supplementation and Vitamin D supplementation have helped me a lot, too.
Can you get your doctor to give you at least a B12 and Vit. D test?
Even if you don't get tested, I think a B12 supplement is worth a shot. You may have to give it some time, though -- at least a few weeks or more.
Good luck,
Missy
Thanks Missy!
So some people complain that B12 gives them anxiety... happen to you? I already take 500mcg but that doesn't seem to be doing the trick - I think I'll get tested again for my iron levels and B levels to see where I'm at... I take 1000 mg of magnesium and 2000 of D, plus B6, calcium, Vit E, Eve Primrose, folic acid (taken with the B12), black cohosh... you'd think I'd have the energy of stallion I swear!
You just instinctively know when your "off" and I'm definitely off right now.
Your supplement regimen sounds a lot like mine. No, B12 did not increase my anxiety. I was having a lot of anxiety when I was low and starting supplementing again, but once I started the supplements the anxiety abated somewhat. I think my anxiety tends to be caused by my physical symptoms, although all the doctors tell me it's the other way around.
Did you say magnesium in there? I think that helped me, too.
Good luck,
Missy
Did you say magnesium in there? I think that helped me, too.
Good luck,
Missy
Injections of B-12 helped my Chronic Fatigue. You can get a blood test to figure out if you need it.
QUOTE (twistoffate @ Jul 11 2009, 05:48 PM)
The mystery of menopause... so for years I was chronically anemic, unable to hold onto iron in my system so needed intravenous injections twice a year, three times a day for six weeks. Hated the procedure but it did seem to help me feel better - prior to meno had insanely heavy, long periods so doctors believed this was my problem. No one ever tested my B12 levels so I never took the vitamin.
Speed up to menopause kicking 150%, no periods for a year now and doctors convinced my iron stores are fine - I am so sick and exhausted all the time I think I either need iron again OR I need to be taking big doses of B12. I run 10-12 miles a day so that's an obvious energy sapper, but I also have a meno plan and daily supplement regimen that has worked really well so far... just can't seem to get my fatigue, flu feeling, crushing exhaustion under control.
Anyone know if upping B12 has or can help? Any feedback would be awesome.
Speed up to menopause kicking 150%, no periods for a year now and doctors convinced my iron stores are fine - I am so sick and exhausted all the time I think I either need iron again OR I need to be taking big doses of B12. I run 10-12 miles a day so that's an obvious energy sapper, but I also have a meno plan and daily supplement regimen that has worked really well so far... just can't seem to get my fatigue, flu feeling, crushing exhaustion under control.
Anyone know if upping B12 has or can help? Any feedback would be awesome.
Hi Twistoffate,
Has any Dr. mentioned the possibility of pernicious anemia? you have all the symptoms so if your Dr. hasn't mentioned it, you might want to mention it to him. If he refuses to run the appropriate tests, go to another Dr., preferrably a hemotologist. In a nutshell, it is a type of anemia that is caused by the body's inability to absorb Vit. B12 because of missing intrinsic factor. You can take all the B12 you want and it won't help. This may not be your problem but it certainly could be. I'd definitely get it checked out just to make sure one way or the other. I'm amazed that you can run as you do! Keep us posted! Best wishes and big hugs!
Jan
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