Help - I'm confused over this diagnosis?

Question

I've just been told (after having a blood test last week) that I have a vitamin B deficiency.

My mum said that I need to start eating more eggs and more red meat. However, I sometimes have eggs for breakfast (i.e. once a week) and I eat red meat twice a week.

She also told me to press my nail - if it doesn't turn back to pink quickly, then I do have a vitamin B deficiency. Again, however, it turned back to pink quite quickly.

I don't feel ill in any way, yet they also said it could be anaemia.

Have they misdiagnosed me?

If not, what can I do in the meantime to make up for the vitamin loss?

Answer 1

You don't say who told you you had this deficiency but I assume it was the medical profession as you had a blood test.

They are the professionals and know what they are doing.

You just say ....a Vitamin B deficiency...  is it by any chance a B12 deficiency?  This can be caused by thyroid problems or just simply your immune system not absorbing the vitamin from your food.  If this is the case no amount of extra red meat etc will solve the problem.  My wife has this problem and has B12 injections every 3 months to balance the deficiency.

I would suggest talking to your doctor about it to establish the full details of the diagnosis.

Answer 2

take a B complex vitamin supplement

Answer 3

It's always best to get your vitamins from food rather than supplements but if you need them use them. You can get B vitamin supplements to take over the counter. As well you can get iron supplements for anemia. While your waiting for the Dr. to make up his/her mind on which you have I would eat healthy and maybe take a multi-vitamin.

Answer 4

Maybe, but I doubt it.  You don't have to feel ill to have a vitamin b deficiency.  If you have anemia, that's low iron-count in your blood and if it's too low, you'll feel tired and weak.  Just take vitamins and modify your diet to include things with more Vitamin B and Iron.

Answer 5

What are your symptoms?

You may look at this website to see if your symptoms match a mineral deficiency. http://www.phpure.com/nutrition_products...

Iron deficency test: Go to the mirror and pull your lower eyelid and see if the color is red or flesh color. If its flesh colored you are lacking enough iron and should take a herbal iron like Floradix. It will take a month to see a difference. Iron carrys oxygen in your blood and if you dont have it you will feel tired, cold hands and feet, headaches, RLS, dull brittle hair, brittle nails, poor sleep, pale skin (see thru), shortness of breath, fatigue, poor concentration, low mood, ringing in the ears, irregular heart beats, cracks in the corner of the mouth, dizziness, fainting, sore tongue and canker sores. Add b12 and folic acid for best results

Answer 6

Spread Marmite on your toast and take Vitamin B tablets.  B1 (thiamin) has the added advantage that Mozzies are more inclined to leave you alone during the summer.

Answer 7

Some peoples bodies don't process the B vits (particularly B12) very well.

The nail test is more common for anaemia (iron related).

However you can have a folic acid (part of the B group) deficiency which can lead to anaemia.

What did your GP say?

Which one of the B group were  you low in? There are lots of B vitamins, many of which come from different sources (such as wheatgerm).

Its not a good idea to take a supplement of just one of the B group, always take a well balanced supplement of the whole group

Answer 8

Another important source of B vitamins are whole grains.  Eat lots of whole grains and beans in addition to animal products such as poultry, fish, red meats and eggs.

You should really be tested to make sure that you are capable of digesting B12 especially if you may have pernicious anemia (and not just anemia).