I found this 2003 article which makes a couple of interesting points:
1. The use of low serum B12 (< 200 pg/mL) as a sole means of diagnosis may miss up to half of the patients who have actual tissue B12 deficiency (they were looking at elderly patients)
2. If B12 is between 100 - 400 pg/mL, then MMA and homocysteine should be checked and a B12 deficiency is indicated if either of these are high (this logic is in the flowchart graphic, Figure 3)
Interesting, Tracy. That's 12 years old now, but I suspect lots of doctors would still argue with both points! And for reference on point 2, I asked my doc to have Homocysteine and MMA measured when my B12 was 384 and he said the NHS didn't do the tests. There's not a day goes by that I don't regret not insisting on having them done. Exceptionally valuable information to have - I wish I had it.
Yes I thought it was interesting particularly because it is an old article. Even back then there are those who realized there was a significant problem. And very sad that this has not changed even though it was recognized there is a problem with many people getting missed.
The medical community is very set in its ways, even if those ways are harming people. Darn near impossible to change things...
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