I'm new and don't understand what my B12 should be after first doses.

[KristenV]

Unfortunately I got tested only after noticing a MAJOR change after taking b12 and finding family history of early onset PA. I had one 1200mcg sublingual cyanocobalamin, 3 days later had one dose 1000mcg methylcobalamin. I got tested 1 week later and now I am at 677? Does this sound too high for only a few doses? "Doctor" said sublingual b12 doesn't absorb much with PA. My RDW were above range and MCHC was on the very low end of normal, so I think this might help confirm my suspicions, but the B12 jumping so quickly?

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi KristenV

I'm new here but my understanding is that a high serum B12 after injecting B12 is simply an indication that treatment has taken place.

Guidelines say that serum B12 levels post-treatment should only be done to check that B12 is not too low and that treatment should not be stopped on the basis of normal or high post-treatment B12 levels.

GP's should be treating symptoms and not Serum B12 levels, once treatment has commenced.

Sorry, but too fogged to quote all the guidelines. If you want to click on my user name, the first post I did contains lots of really good information that others have sent me and if you have a trawl through, you'll be able to look at all the guidelines.

Your doctor is right (oh my, what a nice change): if you have PA, you'll need to get your B12 from injections, for life. However, some people here get good effect from sublinguals or patches, since these by-pass the stomach and release straight into the bloodstream, but many do not, finding that only injections 'do the trick' as these, I believe, last for longer and give a slower release over time.

My preference would be to always go for the injections, if you are lucky enough to have a GP who will give them to you as often as you need them to keep well (a rarity, I think, from what I read here).

Good luck and I hope you begin to feel much better now you're having B12.

[MariLiz]

Once you start to supplement it will show in the blood levels. Do you know what your level was before supplementing? To get a true result you need to be free of supplements for about three months. Also, just because it's in your blood doesn't mean it's reaching your cells.

[Laura5]

Low MCHC often points to iron deficiency. What were your other results on the full blood count? Have you had your ferritin tested?