Called in to gp after b12 blood test

[xJJx]

Another year another blood test. But this time I received a letter asking to make an appointment about my b12 test. I rang and they would not tell me why they wanted to see me. Have you ever been called in to be given negative results? I can't be taking time off work for nothing.

[Catherine50]

You would only be called in if somethinghad shown up in the bloods.

I'm a gp receptionist and we only ask people to come in on the doctors advice. We are not allowed to say why for fear of scaring patients.

[xJJx in reply to Catherine50]

Thank you

[Sleepybunny]

Do you get paper copies of all your blood tests? I find it useful to track changes over a period of years.

In the past I have been told that my results were all normal and then found out some were not when I got paper copies. Even if results are normal range , my personal opinion is that it is useful to see where in the range you are.

If your B12 test is out of range then it might be interesting to see what previous B12 test results were. There are other tests that can help to establish wheteher or not a patient has B12 deficiency.

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

Sometimes Gps will carry out an IFA test (Intrinisic factor Antibody) if B12 is low. This test helps to diagnose PA (Pernicious Anaemia) but is not always reliable.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

01656 769 717

martynhooper.com/

b12d.org

Useful documents

ukneqas-haematinics.org.uk/...

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

Google BCSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

[Sleepybunny]

Useful books

"Could It Be b12" by Sally Pacholok and JJ.stuart

What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency by Martyn Hooper

[xJJx]

My results were 111 with a range of 160 to 800

[Sleepybunny]

That seems very low. Are they going to give you loading injections? Are they going to give you an IFA test?

[xJJx in reply to Sleepybunny]

Yes and yes , 3 times this week 3 times next ...

And they took 6 vials of blood this morning for other tests ..

[xJJx]

Is 111 very low then?

[helvella in reply to xJJx]

Yes.

The bottom of the range is far too low - let alone below that!