[HALLIEBETH87]

I am weird in that sometimes my vitamin levels are off. I have had low potassium a couple years ago and this year I had low vit D. Both I took supplements for (drinking potassium is SO gross!!)

I have had those issues with hands and feet tingling/numbness. We thought it was all carpal tunnel til feet started. Then I was concerned because my Mom has MS and she had that as one of her first symptoms. My pdoc ordered labs for vitamin panel. I got it done at my gp office. No one had called me with results so I just called and asked for a quick overview. I don't see my pdoc til Nov 4 so I was impatient. lol

I apparently have low B12 and high iron. She said the B12 is "within normal limits" but low enough to cause symptoms. Bam! I looked it up and B12 can cause the tingling!! I am hoping that's the cause. I have other symptoms....fatigue and weak and sometimes I just feel so gone I cant do anything really. As for high iron...not sure. Its bad to have I read.

I also read birth control can cause these events. I take bc. The thing is...the tingling and numbness started earlier before bc Im sure.

How do you think this will all unfold? Any opinions? Should I be worried? They apparently can cause a lot of psych symptoms.

[geis]

I'm not a doctor, so I can't give any valid medical opinions.

But from the POV of someone who's dealt with multiple medical issues, my advice is to try to assume it's minor unless/until tests indicate otherwise. TV medical dramas notwithstanding, the most catastrophic possible cause is not usually the actual cause.

B-12 deficiencies can cause weakness and fatigue as well. Luckily, that's pretty easy to correct. Dietary sources are the best in terms of bioavailability, but supplements work too. In some cases, they can even do B-12 shots, if your levels are really low or your body isn't processing it properly from dietary sources.

If you're worried about the birth control, I'd recommend talking to your doctor about stopping it or switching to a different method, depending on your circumstances. But I'd recommend only changing one thing at a time so that if your symptoms abate, you know what thing helped. I'd say start by addressing the B-12 deficiency, and if that doesn't help, then maybe change the birth control. But basically, do whatever your doctor recommends--they know better than me.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Oh I'm not freaking out lol I'm relieved that the b12 is a likely cause of tingling. It's why dr checked it specifically. Regular exam by dt did show anything apparent so she guessed vitamin issue. I take bc for my pcos so I will have to stay on some type. I just wanted opinions. I know these things have simple treatments. Like I said it's not my first deficiency. Oral supplements did the trick them. Potassium is very hard to drink! Eew!!

[geis]

Yeah, potassium is gross. It's even worse by IV, though. Takes about 4 hours and burns your arm the entire time. Powdered magnesium is pretty nasty stuff too.

Ah, the fun of electrolyte imbalances and nutritional deficiencies.

I don't think I'd worry so mush as follow through to find out what is going on. I assume with those symptoms you've been tested for circulatory & diabetic problems and peripheral neuropathy?

[HALLIEBETH87]

Diabetic yes. I'm perfect! and then just carpal tunnel test-emg but it was normal.

[HALLIEBETH87]

What concerns me is high iron damages organs. Idk how long this has been going on.

[The_little_didgee]

Why do you have all these deficiencies at your age? Is it your medications? Diet? Have you been assessed for bowel disease?

[kiwi33]

I am not meaning to second-guess your health care team but "high iron" can indicate haemochromatosis, which is a genetic disorder.

This is something that it might be worth raising with your care team - they should be able to check it out as a possibility.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I have no idea what's causing them. :/

[HALLIEBETH87]

I have been sick for 2 weeks with this allergy induced fluid in the ear, etc. I am going to the Dr today for it because OTC things haven't helped thus far.

Although my pdoc ordered these labs, they were taken at my GP's office (closer to home.) Therefore he has the results and I am going to ask him about it.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Well my Dr says the labs are normal. I said then why did they say the opposite yesterday?? No idea.

So now...the tingling in my hands and feet cannot be explained by blood work.

[HALLIEBETH87]

And noooooow the hand dr tells me it's not carpal tunnel, I'm going to end seeing a neurologist...