What is a good range for the b12 blood tests?

[Amber12345]

I'm not sure what I should be looking out for as the docter tells me anything don't trust him at all.

[Hidden]

A bit difficult, no real answer, as in firstly you are not saying for what type of blood test; serum B12, or active B12. Then it depends if you are on treatment or not, some people are fine with serum B12 over 300, others need it over 1000, depends on symptoms, and how much you can improve I supose. So it depends on how you feel that would guide you to what is for you a good personal B12 level.

[Amber12345 in reply to Hidden]

I see thank you marre......

I will get my results from the GP I didn't realise there were two blood tests I'm no good at this...... Do you need to ask the GP to do both tests or not? I don't know if it's different at other surgeries. Thanks again

[Hidden in reply to Amber12345]

No point in testing serum B12 and or active B12 etc as you are already on treatment (see: healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po... )

What will be good to is to test is serum folate and ferritin as they can deplete once on B12 treatment.

[Amber12345 in reply to Hidden]

I will do

I tale iron and folate daily as well.

[Polaris]

I know how you feel about not trusting, having had to struggle for relative's B12 injections and my own thyroid diagnosis and optimum medication because GPs usually only use the flawed test for TSH, ignoring the fact that most people only feel well when TSH is really low.

Hard to answer your question as tests seem to vary round the world. From the book, "Could it be B12?":

"we believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml.

"MMA also has limitations and can cause false positives and negatives. The specificity of these tests is debated".

The active B12 test seems to vary even more from what I can tell.

Homocysteine should not be over 15, if I remember rightly.

Martyn Hooper in his annual report states that patients can have PA, even though their IF test is negative.

So, personally, I feel we are all different and medicine has become too test based and it would be better to use the old fashioned method of taking a patient's history, symptoms and how they feel. Latest research and guidelines on B12 def, state anyway that most tests are flawed and there is no gold standard test.

[Amber12345 in reply to Polaris]

Thank you

I had a terrible time for 2-3 yrs so unwell had extreme fatigue weight gain swollen eyes heavy legs my skin was different and couldn't stop crying but told to go on antidepressants but all along just not given the correct blood tests was eventually diagnosed with underactive thyroid and PA and given thyroxine and 3 monthly jabs!!!

It was so traumatic as I was not me at all. I thought I would improve but I've never fully gone back to myself 9yrs later..... If I ask for help the docter just says all your blood tests are fine. Still crying alot fatigued and have post nasal drip not sure if related.

[Polaris in reply to Amber12345]

Oh Amber, that is all so sad - most GPs think you just take the pills and no problem. They seem to have little understanding that an underactive thyroid and low B12 affects every cell and organ, causing havoc with your mind and body.

Four member of my family have Hashimoto's. I was attending a heart clinic with high BP and cholestrol and on various medications that depleted B12, until I joined Thyroid UK forum. I researched and discovered all my problems were from under medication of thyroxine. It took years to recover but I did and now only take 150 mcg Levo (which they continually try to reduce!) and supplement B12 with Jarrows 5000 mcg sublingually. My daughter (on T3) and sister saw the late Dr Skinner, a doctor, like Dr Chandy, UK expert on B12, who thinks outside the box.

The last piece of the jigsaw was avoiding gluten - it's supposed to lower antibodies (that's if you can get them tested in the first place) - stomach problems mostly all disappeared, which is hopefully improving B12 absorption

If you haven't already joined, Clutter on the thyroid site here is very knowledgeable and gives good advice.

I do hope you get some answers and feel better soon....

[Amber12345 in reply to Polaris]

It's very helpful advice thank you I will do the gluten free as well. I take 150mg of thyroxine and it is always fine by blood tests. But symptoms still present not sure if thyroid or lack of enough b12 trying to do own injections more frequent can't wait for docter 3 monthly!!!

Will join thyroid site too

[Peggy76]

Hi Amber.

You are entitled to a copy of all your results on any tests you may have & if you don't understand the Drs. Mumbojumbo take to someone who can explain it all to you.

Good luck

Peggy💐