Leukemia or vitamin B12 deficiency???

[Tapanga]

Can b12 deficiency mimic all the symptoms of leukemia? Such as low white blood count, anemia, petechiea, CHRONIC yeast infections, thyroiditis, dry eye, migraines, arthritis, bone pain, border-line diabetic, chronic diarrhea, protein and bilirubin in urine, high blood pressure, UTI's, sinus and ear infections, high liver enzymes, low grade fever but then low body temp., nausea/vomitting, low cortisol, urinary/bowel incontinence, high cholesterol, enlarged common bile duct but MRI of gallbladder was o.k., LOW B12 levels, dizziness,female problems, FATIGUE.....should I go on?
THIS has been my life for many years and JUST now getting a diagnosis...MAYBE..PLEASE someone help me!   What does anyone have to say... I'd appreciate any comment or opinion.
Thanks ever so much for your time, Tapanga

[Yve2468]

Hi Anne,
I have just been diagnosed with a b12 and folate deficiency. I am so glad I had not been taking any  vitamin supplements as this would have affected my blood tests. Although vitamin supplements have a place I believe if a person is feeling ill, blood tests should always be the first step before considering off the shelf solutions.  
It is always wise to ere on the side of caution where someone's health is concerned.
Y :)

[Anne1951]

I am not a health care professional merely a nutrion sutdent however jsut to be ont he safe side you could use wither a Mulitvitmain with vitamin B12; vitamin B6 and folate or you could try a Sublingaul vitamin B12/Folate/B6 combo...a good one is called TRi-Vita Sublingal Vitamin B12..."Trivita..." use one sublingal a day for the next year to replenish these nutrients OR buy any B12 sublingual @ pharmacy or doc...use daily

[Tapanga]

Good morning,
                        Im going back to my Dr. soon so I'm hoping to get alot accomplished during that visit. They could tell me its bad OR good, I just want to know what I'm up against, ya know?
How do they do a peripheral blood smear?  Does it hurt?  I'm getting so used to needles I feel like a pin cushion.  I drank some water the other day and I looked like a sieve..hehe
anyways...I'll post it when I know more... bye and "Merry Christmas" to everyone!!!

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi. Your blood levels of Vitamin B12 may not be the test which is necessary to clinch the diagnosis.  At the very least, you should have a peripheral blood smear done to differentiate from other causes of anemia. If a diagnosis of leukemia is being seriously entertained, you may need to have bone marrow smears done.  A low level of Vitamin B12 may just be an incidental finding, not the underlying problem.

[Tapanga]

Hello....Thanks so much for your input into this matter.  
I have had my blood levels of vitamin B12 tested and they were indeed low as well as ALL the other symptoms I mentioned earlier however, since this all has come to fruition I havent had any other testing done.  I want to know but the more I read about spinal taps and bone marrow sampling and etc, the options doesn't sound to appealing even tho I know I have to do it if neccesary.
Just didn't think vitamin B12 deficiency nor possible Lymes disease could cause such a catastrophe...and boy is that a understatement!!!  I'm just a 34 year old single mommy looking for anwsers as to what is going on.  GOD bless you Dean, you made me feel better just by responding.        Tapanga

[Tapanga]

Hello....Thanks so much for your input into this matter.  
I have had my blood levels of vitamin B12 tested and they were indeed low as well as ALL the other symptoms I mentioned earlier however, since this all has come to fruition I havent had any other testing done.  I want to know but the more I read about spinal taps and bone marrow sampling and etc, the options doesn't sound to appealing even tho I know I have to do it if neccesary.
Just didn't think vitamin B12 deficiency nor possible Lymes disease could cause such a catastrohe...and boy is that a understatement!!!  I'm just a 34 year old single mommy looking for anwsers as to what is going on.  GOD bless you Dean, you made me feel better just by responding.        Tapanga

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi. Although symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are somewhat non-specific (e.g. paleness, numbness, shortness of breath, weakness, sore mouth and tongue, confusion or change in mental status) and can possibly be seen in leukemia, the blood smear of somebody who has vitamin B12 deficiency is very different than the smear of someone who has leukemia.  This test is easily performed and can readily differentiate the two conditions.  

Have you consulted with an internal medicine specialist about your symptoms? You really need a thorough work-up to investigate the cause of all these things you're experiencing.