Episode 71: Dr Andrew Klein - Iron and B12 deficiency

There are some Long Covid patients for whom Dr Andrew Klein can take something very simple, and improve their symptoms and their lives in a marked way.

An anaesthetist at the Royal Papworth Hospital Cambridge, Dr Klein also runs the Cambridge Iron Clinic where he treats people with Iron and B12 deficiencies.

Iron and B12 deficiencies are often left unaddressed by healthcare professionals who rely on arbitrary markers whilst ignoring the plethora of symptoms which are the same as many Long Covid symptoms.

For these deficiencies the most common symptom across the board is fatigue. Other common symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, pins and needles, joint pain, depression, and anxiety.

Dr Klein talks us through the symptoms, his approach, the impact that Covid has had on the levels of these micronutrients, and the impact that their deficit has on our bodies. By laying bare the facts and offering simple, practical advice Dr Klein offers another route of investigation and trial that might enable Long Covid patients symptomatic relief.

B12 treatment is relatively straightforward and has been in use for many years. On the other hand, iron treatment is more complicated because it requires infusion in a hospital setting, making it more challenging. However, the advantage is that iron infusion is a one-time procedure that can last for several years, despite its high cost of around 800 pounds. In contrast, B12 treatment is inexpensive, costing only a few pounds for shots from a pharmacy. The downside is that B12 shots need to be administered repeatedly over time, sometimes for months or even years, to gradually increase the levels in the body. So, while B12 treatment is simpler and cheaper, it requires ongoing maintenance, whereas iron treatment is a one-time expense but involves a more complex administration process.

The overlap of the symptoms of these deficiencies and Long Covid, as Dr Klein lays out, are quite remarkable, and he has found that by assessing and addressing these deficiencies in Long Covid patients they have life-altering improvements.