Suggest Treatment For Chronic Dry Cough

Posted on Mon, 1 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 1 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My B-12 is 1422 and my vitamin D 43. I am continually tired, have a chronic dry cough that comes and goes. My Doctor says this is because of diet? I eat healthy, watch my sugar, don't eat a lot of meat, no dairy. I asked to have my GFR rechecked and after 6 months it came back again at 57. I will be seeing a kidney specialist finally...could this all be related to each other? My blood pressure runs low 110/74 pulse in the low 60's . My normal temp is always lower as well around 97.4.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
COPD due to smoking could be a possible cause of chronic dry cough

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through the details. Let me assure you that your Vitamin B-12 as well as Vitamin D levels are within normal the acceptable range. The GFR however indicates a chronic kidney condition and indeed you need a nephrological consultation. However, I do not think that these are related to your chronic dry cough. The first thing I would ask is whether you are a smoker and if so, how long have you been smoking. Smoking is the commonest cause of such chronic dry cough. Taking steam inhalation twice or thrice a day should be helpful to relieve your dry cough. It might be a good idea to get a pulmonary opinion to rule out conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

The other mentioned details seem fine. I would not really worry about the temperture. The skin temperature often gets measured low. However, getting a thyroid profile done should be a good idea.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

I was cleared a couple years ago for any pulmonary issues like copd as well I have never smoked in my life? As far as the B12 range ...it is my understanding that 1422 is far above the normal range that tops out at 900? What would cause an overload of B12? I do not take supplements.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need a thorough medical evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand that you have been cleared of conditions like COPD but there is a condition called pulmonary eosinophilia which could be associated both with chronic cough as well as raised Vitamin B12 level.

Vitamin B12 levels can be raised when the tissue is unable to take it up as in case of some serious or chronic conditions and hence you need further evaluation. I did not wish you to land in panic. Anyway, the following scientific publications could be useful to you:
http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/02/27/qjmed.hct051
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000

You need a thorough evaluation and I would insist you to visit a doctor for the same.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 hours later)

Thank you so much for responding with seriousness. I have not been feeling myself for some time and my Doctor doesn't seem equipped to take my concerns seriously. I am seeing a Kidney specialist Friday, is this the sort of specialist that can not only address my GFR but the high B12 level? WhAt sort of specialist would I see to get the best needed help to see what is really going on in my body?

Thank you again,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seeing a general physician would be the first step

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. It is perhaps best to see a general physician who can do a detailed evaluation and then refer you to a specialist as needed. Your nephrologist might be knowing about high Vitamin B12 levels but whether he would be knowing about it depends upon how sound he is academically. Personally, I was unaware of the significance of high Vitamin B12 levels before I looked it up in response to your query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar