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Nausea and low B12 could this be connected?

Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:52 pm
by shygirly
Hi,

Firstly if this is not the correct place for this I am really sorry. I just wondered if someone could give me some advice. I have suffered from nausea on and off probably more on since 2013. I have a reduced appetite. Although this has been going on now for years it is very out of character for me I like my food. I have probably over this time lost about 2 stone I was quite heavy and so loosing the weight hasn't been a terrible thing. During this time I have also been quite fatigued. Can only work part time (used to work full time). I have loads of blood tests and my B12 was extremely low back in June 2013. I started infections for this back in 2013. They told me I didn't have pernicious anaemia. (I have always eaten quite healthily lots of red meat, chicken and veg) I still have the injections for B12 every 12 weeks. I questioned this with my Gp last summer and asked if my levels were normal only to be advised that they hadn't checked my levels since 2013 and since I had had blood tests the previous month (they never checked my B12) I would have to wait till this summer to have it checked. After a long wait I saw a gastroenterologist last month who referred me for an upper endoscopy. I had that last week. He has taken biopsy's including a H.pylori which came back negative (still waiting for the other results). They have said that I have Erosive duodenitis which they have given me medication for. I have an appointment to back and see the consultant and get the results but that appointment it not till October. I just cant help but feel the 2 are connected. Nobody seems to take all the information on board. Having spent so long feeling unwell I am starting to get a little frustrated. Any advice would be very much appreciated. C

Re: Nausea and low B12 could this be connected?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:58 am
by Dr Jamal Hayat
Hi,
Having a low B12 is frequently encountered problem in primary care and whilst it can be dietary there are a number of causes to look for. Nausea can be associated with the low B12,or the conditions it can be associated with or even the worry associated with what could be causing it.
Blood tests look for pernicious anaemia, and it looks like you have had this ruled out already. But it would also be important to have other tests to look for conditions which cause B12 to not be absorbed including coeliac disease and crohns. It is a long time to wait to have your B12 rechecked from 2013 and often treatment is for only 3 months - not sure what is happening here- assuming you have stopped your injections now?Also -was your weight loss intentional or unintentional? And have you had some dietary advice.to increase your B12 intake?If you are continuing to lose weight then i would suggest letting your GP or specialist know. I hope that if u have the relevant tests and your B12 improves this itself may be a reassurance.

Re: Nausea and low B12 could this be connected?

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 4:35 pm
by shygirly
Thank you Dr Jamal Hayat,

I still have B12 injections every 12 weeks. I did have them stopped for about 16 weeks last year as my gp wondered if it was the actual injections that were making me feel nauseous. I became even more tired and it got worse so they started me back on the injections every 12 weeks. I have very recently had an upper endoscopy where they found Erosive duodentits. (I have been given medication to help this) They have also taken biopsies and will get those results in a couple of months but I do know that they tested for H pylori and it came back negative. I was tested for Coeliac disease a number of years ago and it came back negative. I have had a very reduced appetite and been eating much smaller portions and less food over this time which is what has caused me to lose weight. I havent done it on purpose but when you feel so nauseous all the time you have to almost force yourself to eat. Its just been going on for so long that I am getting frustrated with it all. I do get a couple of weeks where it stops and I think its gone but then it comes back.

Kind Regards

Claire


Dr Jamal Hayat wrote:Hi,
Having a low B12 is frequently encountered problem in primary care and whilst it can be dietary there are a number of causes to look for. Nausea can be associated with the low B12,or the conditions it can be associated with or even the worry associated with what could be causing it.
Blood tests look for pernicious anaemia, and it looks like you have had this ruled out already. But it would also be important to have other tests to look for conditions which cause B12 to not be absorbed including coeliac disease and crohns. It is a long time to wait to have your B12 rechecked from 2013 and often treatment is for only 3 months - not sure what is happening here- assuming you have stopped your injections now?Also -was your weight loss intentional or unintentional? And have you had some dietary advice.to increase your B12 intake?If you are continuing to lose weight then i would suggest letting your GP or specialist know. I hope that if u have the relevant tests and your B12 improves this itself may be a reassurance.