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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Low Vitamin B12 Level And Low Platelet Count In Blood?

I have severe fatigue, extreme weight loss, a lot of pain in my legs, hips and back. I ve also started having stiffness in my knees and neck. This has occurred over the past 6 weeks. The symptoms just gradually started over this time frame. I also had a red blotchy rash that spread on my legs, arms upper chest and neck. It last for over a week. My doctor could not explain the rash just ruled out it was not hives, or any other obvious skin condition. He ordered some blood work I got a call from the nurse stating my vitamin b12 was extremely low, my red blood cell count was low and my total platelet count was 160,000 normally mine is 300,000+. I need to know what could be causing all of this.
Mon, 21 Sep 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Vitamin B12 deficiency could be caused due to poor intake in the diet or due to dysfunction of the liver. Generally, Vitamin B12 deficiency is commonly seen in people consuming strict vegetarian diet.
Vitamin B12 is one of the hemopoietic vitamin required by the bone marrow for maturation of blood cells. Hence, its deficiency is associated with low red cell count as well as low platelet count.
You need not be worried about it as it is easily treatable.
Vitamin B12 infusions are available, which could be administered by intravenous route. Otherwise, Vitamin B12 and Folic acid injections can be given via intramuscular route.
Once you are done with appropriate dose of Vitamin B12 injections, you need to take Vitamin B-Complex capsules once a day for 1 month. Include yogurt, probiotics and curds in your diet, which will provide Vitamin B12.
Once the levels reach to optimum in blood, your cell counts will reverse back to normal.
Hope the information provided would be useful.
All the best.
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What Causes Low Vitamin B12 Level And Low Platelet Count In Blood?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. Vitamin B12 deficiency could be caused due to poor intake in the diet or due to dysfunction of the liver. Generally, Vitamin B12 deficiency is commonly seen in people consuming strict vegetarian diet. Vitamin B12 is one of the hemopoietic vitamin required by the bone marrow for maturation of blood cells. Hence, its deficiency is associated with low red cell count as well as low platelet count. You need not be worried about it as it is easily treatable. Vitamin B12 infusions are available, which could be administered by intravenous route. Otherwise, Vitamin B12 and Folic acid injections can be given via intramuscular route. Once you are done with appropriate dose of Vitamin B12 injections, you need to take Vitamin B-Complex capsules once a day for 1 month. Include yogurt, probiotics and curds in your diet, which will provide Vitamin B12. Once the levels reach to optimum in blood, your cell counts will reverse back to normal. Hope the information provided would be useful. All the best.