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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin Deficiency?

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Posted on Tue, 30 May 2017
Question: I had Vitamin D deficiency and Vitamin B12/B6/Folic acid deficiency. I started taking the Folic acid under the tongue every night but stopped for a while and I started taking it again. I had Vitamin D deficiency and I stopped taking the Vitamin D3 gels recently. I started to work out and it is after many years of not working out in a gym or cardio. I started feeling tingling on face while exercising and it went away after I rest.

I had a strange episode yesterday and the tingling happened while I am not exercising but I was anxious to know about one of my friend going through a bad episode of neurological disorder. Now I am worried about it as I am feeling tingling on my face on cheeks and around the lips and chin area...

I am worried what is going on, do you think vitamin deficiency or something else going on with my health ? I am worried.... scared of some neurological issue?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
What were your last B12 values?

Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks so much for this query.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. This might be able to explain why you are feeling these symptoms. I will suggest that you report the last values to me. If they are still low, this might explain why you have these symptoms. Be calm.....Do not get too worried about this. Tingling after exercise is not uncommon and most often wouldn't last.

However, the fact that these symptoms started after exercise make them unlikely to be caused by a defined disease condition but related to your exercise rather. It is highly unlikely that you are suffering from any serious neurological disorder.

I hope to hear back from you. I wish you well. Keep me posted on this.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Hi Doc,

Based on the test on Sep 28 -2016
The values are :
Platelets : 95
Other tests where not done in September only blood work.

But the tests done in July (Annual health check)
Based on July 2016
Vitamin B12 : 193
Folate : 16.0
T4 Free Direct 1.34
TSH 5.38
Vitamin D , 25-Hydroxy : 33.9

Please let me know if there is anything you need from me.



doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the results.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the lab results.

1. Your TSH is too high and you certainly need medications to control the thyroid gland. Are you already on any hormones supplements for this?

2. B12 is borderline and needs further review. I will suggest you continue with oral supplements. If they prove not to be very helpful, we can administer directly into the veins for best results.

3. Am curious why your platelets are this low. Do you have any disease condition such as blood or liver disease which might explain this? Platelets are normally expected to be in teh range 150-450.

4. Yes, D3 remains low. Sun exposure, vitamin D supplements, etc. would be helpful.

5. Folates are okay!

Low B12 might explain the symptoms.

I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (11 minutes later)
I am not taking any medicine for thyroid. I will be testing them again.
I have no disease or anything and I am not sure why platelets are low, my primary care doctor suggested to keep a watch on it. So I will be testing it as well.
I am testing B-12 again this time and see how it is, I am a vegetarian and I don't eat meat.
I am taking Vitamin D supplement.

Do I need to do anything? I never felt this tingling in the past and it is worrisome. (Last year when I did my blood work, there was no symptoms)
What can I do to increase platelets ? I looked at my blood reports from 2013 - it was 150 for platelets. For some reason my GP didn't test it in 2014 & 2016;

Is there anything I need to test for the Platelets ? My new GP who ordered these test last year mentioned me not to worry about it and it is seen in some on low platelet count.

Also he mentioned low B-12 would be one reason for the low platelets and recommended to be consistent with the B-12

Attaching the reports
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Let's get them repeated for control!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I will say let's get recent tests to compare for more insights and guidance. If the values remain abnormal, then for sure we would need to start probing for what the possible cause(s) are. It will not be prudent investigating for causes without having established that for real these numbers are abnormal. Am a bit worried that your doctors haven't said anything about the high TSH values.

In all, a comprehensive control of your results would be helpful. For the neurological symptoms, there are really not a major concern at this time. There is nothing alarming about.

Keep me posted. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
I am getting the blood work done today. Is there anything I need to do for increasing the platelets ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Let's see where they stand first!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

We need to see what exactly isn't right from the workup today and we will go on from there. There is no emergency at this time.

I look forward reviewing the laboratory results from today.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 hours later)
I have given the samples and waiting on the results. I will share as soon as I have it. Secondly I noticed a pain in my jaw and I am not sure if the whole episode was due to my tooth. So I have a dentist appointment.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
We will follow through!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I kindly request that you stay calm and don't get too alarmed. As soon as the results start getting back, we will follow through and provide adequate guidance to you on all. I must insist, you must be relaxed and calm about this. If the tooth pain is much, I recommend a combination of Tylenol and Ibuprofen as these are available online.

Keep me posted and updated.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin Deficiency?

Brief Answer: What were your last B12 values? Detailed Answer: HI and thanks so much for this query. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. This might be able to explain why you are feeling these symptoms. I will suggest that you report the last values to me. If they are still low, this might explain why you have these symptoms. Be calm.....Do not get too worried about this. Tingling after exercise is not uncommon and most often wouldn't last. However, the fact that these symptoms started after exercise make them unlikely to be caused by a defined disease condition but related to your exercise rather. It is highly unlikely that you are suffering from any serious neurological disorder. I hope to hear back from you. I wish you well. Keep me posted on this.