Iron Deficiency and B12 Deficiency-Causes? - Anemia Message Board

macy1029 · 10-26-2003, 01:17 PM

Hi Everyone

I am a newbie as I just joined these boards yesterday and am Glad that I found all of you.

Because I am of Irish ancestory and I had symptoms close to Iron Overload I asked my primary doc to check my Iron for this--knowing that it was an inexpensive test. That was in July of last year. Doc told me no Iron Overload--Great, so I put that thought to rest. Well when I was at the clinic about 6 months later I had my chart and a little time on my hands and began to look thru it. I found that my Serum Iron Level was deficient at 19 (normal is 49 to 151), my Ferritin was slightly low at 14.06 and my Percent Saturation was 4 (normal is 20 to 55). Because I was having symptoms of perphial neuropathy and weakness I went to see a neurologist who ran tests and told me that my B12 level was low ---202 (normal is 250 to 850). It was subsequently discovered that I have perphial neuropathy of my feet and hands. I also have RA, Sjogrens, PMR, Diabetes and other maladies. So I am finally getting to my question. What could cause low levels of both B12 and Iron? I eat healthy and eat meat etc. My IF Factor is fine. I do not have excessively heavy periods. I DO have trouble with my stomach--diareha often when I eat--stomach aches when I eat and sometimes cramps when I eat. I got a B12 shot and than the doc put me on B12 vitamins--2000 mcg per day and my B12 levels have improved. But still no reason as to what caused both deficiencies. I don't even know what my iron is now and i have not taken any iron pills. Could my vitamin deficiencies be caused by a malabsorption problems or Chrons? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.

Dana

MGROB · 11-21-2003, 10:48 AM

Have you talked to your doctor about celiac disease? This is a very common Irish elment that requires a gluten free diet (ie no wheat, rye, oats, and many moore).

amwood · 11-21-2003, 10:06 PM

I don't know much about B-12 deficiency, but I've been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, and my doctor will occasionally check my B-12 levels in addition to my iron. I've had a couple of B-12 injections and I'm not sure why my B-12 was low. It goes back up with the injections and I don't really notice a difference either way. But, I do know someone who has Crohn's disease and has to give himself B-12 injections regularly. He said due to Crohn's he has a hard time absorbing B-12....and apparently it's not uncommon for people with Crohn's to also become iron deficient at some point. I don't know if you've had any testing done to rule this out (you mentioned stomach problems), but this could be something to look into. Wish I could be of more help....good luck!

newyorkmogul · 11-28-2003, 12:15 PM

hi, i just found out that i have iron deficiency anemia, and was researching it on the internet, and found quite a few sites put up by concerned patients and medical professionals. i found out that ingesting foods and drinks that have tannic acid in them depletes iron. these are: chocolate, coffee, pekoe tea, red wine, etc... hope this helps.