A bit of help.

[bigredz]

Hi to everyone, this is my first post here and was wondering if any of you more knowledgeable members would take a look at my blood test results and maybe give me some recommendations on what steps to take next. As it stands at the moment is that my doctor has just told me to take multi vitamins for a few months and see how I get on and go and see him again. What do you think I should do as they have made no difference as I feel just as bad as before!! Thanks for any advice.

[Spareribs]

Hi bigredz

I see you've had holotranscobalamin test - that's the better active B12 test, 64 seems low (I was 53.5 -no action) what with the serum B12 only 238 - looks like you need B12 to me (not that I'm a doctor or anything) - there's not much in ordinary multivits - I have a boost B12 spray.

However you shouldn't really supplement B12 until you have the full tests MMA, intrinsic factor etc. to rule out pernicious anaemia - knowledgeable members will advise you.

Your ferritin is high - were you taking extra iron supplements?

My daughter has high iron (both ferritin and Hb) & I was wondering if it was low B12 connected. J

[Spareribs in reply to Spareribs]

Oh and I forgot to say there's no Vitamin D test/result there - supplementing made a huge difference to me.

[bigredz in reply to Spareribs]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. No I wasn't taking any supplements, so I don't know why my iron was/ is high. Have got a second page of results, but the site will only let me post one. Anyway to post the other page?

[Spareribs in reply to bigredz]

the add picture option is only on a new post.

I had read somewhere that some folk have high iron with PA, I hope someone will advise.

[bigredz]

Managed to change photo to show both pages

[bigredz]

Had to revert to the original photo as the resolution was to poor to read!!

[Marz]

Raised Ferritin can point to inflammation in the body somewhere....so best to have a re-check in time. Your thyroid was NOT tested adequately - as only the TSH was tested and it came back at an acceptable level. The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - TSH - tells the thyroid to produce T4 - a storage hormone.....so what was that level ? The T4 then converts into T3 the most active of the thyroid hormones - and needed in every cell of the body. So you only have PART of the thyroid story.

Your folate is also low and needs to be at least mid range. B12 - oh so low. What medication are you taking ? I also agree with the above - where is the VitD test ?

So many things to consider - do hope you find some answers soon. What are your symptoms ?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Not an expert by any means:

Your serum B12 is towards the low end of the range (and definitely in the grey area where people can have significant symptoms of B12 but get told that their results are normal) However, your holotranscobalamin looks okay compared to range. Serum B12 looks at all types of B12 in your blood. Holo-T looks at the active for so is a more precise measure but still isn't perfect either as it is only showing what is going on in your blood not what is going on at the cell level where the B12 is being used.

Your folate is definitely on the low side though not below the normal range. Your body needs folate in order to process B12 so this could be a factor - as Marz said - ideal to have results somewhere in the upper half of this range.

It is possible that homocysteine and MMA (both would be elevated if your B12 was low) may help to clarify if you still feel that B12 deficiency is a problem.

There are some signs of anaemia in the bloodwork but that's rather different from saying that there is a B12 deficiency.

Recommendation in the UK is to treat on the basis of symptoms rather than test results - particularly if the symptoms include neurological symptoms.

You can find a check list of symptoms here

pernicious-anaemia-society....

and you can find the BCSH guidelines on treating a cobalamin deficiency here - the summary is the important thing - on p2

bcshguidelines.com/document...

As Marz says - the work done in relation to thyroid probably isn't accurate - similar to B12 in as much as normal tests don't necessarily tell you everything - so other tests may be needed.

You may find this site has some useful tips on how to write to your GP

b12deficiency.info/

[Laura5]

Your serum ferritin seems very high. I think this is where I would concentrate. When it says 'abnormal but stable' is that based on a previous blood test? It might be worth contacting the The Haemochromatosis Society to discuss your results with them - they have a facebook page and facebook support group: haemochromatosis.org.uk/

nhs.uk/Conditions/Haemochro...

[bigredz]

Thanks for all the help and advice from everyone here. At least I'll know what to ask my doctor on my next appointment. Might finally get somewhere with this after years of being fobbed off.