Friend’s mystery ill health

I have just been found to have a vitamin D deficiency (after almost 2 years!) and it was only tested as an afterthought; it isn't included in the usual blood tests.
It hasn't helped me, but it may be worth testing, if it hasn't already been done.

It is all anonymous.

The reason I asked is because collectively someone might recognise some symptom what he or she or their friend or relative had and if so the OP could feed that back to her friend, and if the friend so chose, the friend could ask the doctor.

For example, I am a vegan, so when I had a regular well-man blood test I asked if a vitamin B12 test would be done. As I had asked it was done each time and although it was in range it was going down so I started havimg a litre of Alpro unsweetened soya drink, which has vitamin fortification (including vitamin B12) each day and it went up fine. If I had not asked I might well have gradually got a lower and lower vitamin B12 level.

Yet what is interesting is that the nurse told me that when people have a blood test that vitamin B12 is not usually checked.

So maybe if the Op's friend asked if a vitamin B12 check has been done, maybe the answer would be 'no'. Maybe worth doing.

Vitamin B12 level depends on vitamin B12 being in the food supply and upon it being absorbed in the final part of the small intestine. If the absorbing process is not working properly then that could lead to a low vitamin B12 level.

I am not a clinician. I was just trying to help. I suppose I could have just not asked and not bothered.

A test for coeliac disease is often done routinely, but it might be worth checking that it has been done.

I totally sympathise!
Have been having the same issues myself, and it is very unpleasant to be treated as if toddling (or hobbling) off to the doctors every few weeks is some kind of hobby.

It’s quite a long list; neurologist says she needs a psychiatrist ? whoever she needs she’s not getting them

I don't think we need to know this, EP.

May I ask what symptoms she has, or would you rather not say?

Thanks Meryl I’d thought that too! It’s so frustrating-don’t know what you have to do to get someone to take charge and help. So sad.

Newquay
I remember the program. But as I remember it, it was only a group of experts brought together for that purpose.