A vitamin B12 deficiency left man feeling close to death

Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin, is an essential nutrient that is required for various processes in the body. The vitamin helps the body produce energy by converting carbohydrates into glucose .and is incredibly important for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Our client, Jimmy Norman, suffered from extreme symptoms due to his B12 deficiency being left undiagnosed and untreated. A lack of vitamin B12 can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• Feeling weak or tired
• Feeling lightheaded
• Dizziness
• Aching limbs
• Mouth ulcers

When left untreated, a deficiency can cause neurological issues such as:

• Problems with vision
• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Memory problems

Jimmy first started noticing extreme fatigue and after discussing it with other members of his family, who also have a B12 deficiency, he went to the doctors. After his appointment, and a secondary test to confirm, he was told he was marginally low in B12 and was prescribed tablets for two months.

Instead of seeing an improvement, Jimmy continued to get worse and started to notice neurological symptoms developing. During this time, Jimmy did his own research into his symptoms and the standard process of care for B12 deficiencies. With new symptoms and new knowledge of the guidelines, Jimmy went back to the GP and was told he could not have injections until a specialist could be consulted, despite that being the course of treatment the guidelines recommended.

After not hearing back from the doctors, Jimmy followed up and was told he was supposed to have been referred to neurology. At this point he was offered to increase his dosage of tablets. Once again, Jimmy asked about receiving his treatment as an injection as opposed to a tablet like the rest of his family members with the same deficiency had. He was finally told it was a possibility, however, his treatment would be limited due to already having taken the tablets.

After deciding to try the injections, Jimmy slowly started to see some improvement, but after the last injection there was a rapid decline in his health. He returned to the doctors once again, asking for more injections and was again, told no.

Jimmy wrote a letter of complaint and quoted NICE, BNF (British National Formulary) and the NHS website and pled his case to receive proper care. He was told he could not have more injections as they were at risk of being criticised by specialists and even if they could give him the injections, there were not enough appointment times available to administer them.

Jimmy received a compromised level of care even after advocating for himself and fighting for the care he needed. As a result of this, Jimmy had to take four months of sick leave from work. He continued to feel worse in this time.