GP visit tomorrow...

[Rachel-285]

Hi, I recently had my B12 tested and it was 206 (range 200 - 800) I was told it was normal and no action required so I found this was actually low when I requested a copy of my blood results. After doing some research I found I have many symptoms of B12 deficiency including neurological symptoms which has me very worried. I have already spoke to one GP over the phone (as it take 3-4 weeks for an appointment) and she said as my results were normal they would not treat me and that I should make an appointment with my GP who ordered the test if I wanted to discuss this further. So I wrote my GP a letter outlining my concerns and handed this in last week prior to my appointment tomorrow.

I can only hope she can see it is worth a therapeutic trial to see if my symptoms improve. I am so convinced from the number of symptoms I am displaying. The two things most worrying me is I am so abnormally tired even after I good nights sleep and my mental health has suffered and I feel like I can't continue like this.

I just wanted to ask so I am prepared as much as possible for tomorrow, what vitamins and minerals are needed to support B12? Do the NHS offer tests to check vitamin and mineral levels? If any vitamins or minerals were low would taking a multivitiman be enough to to replenish the levels?

Thanks for you help, stumbling across this website after many google searches has given me so much support and I appreciate anyone taking the time to reply.

[fbirder]

First off, your GP needs to realise that a B12 deficiency should be treated according to symptoms, not numbers. My summary document - frankhollis.com/temp/Summar... - includes links to the experts expressing that opinion.

The test is only +/- 5% accurate - at best. So your value of 206 could just as easily be 196 - below the minimum range. Also, the test will give anomalously high results if there is a lot of something called anti-IF antibodies in the blood. It just so happens that these antibodies are only found in people with pernicious anaemia - the most common cause of a B12 deficiency.

The best test for a B12 deficiency is to do as you suggest and supplement with B12. If you start feeling better after a course of B12 injections, three a week over two or three weeks, then everybody wins. You feel normal again and your doctor doesn't have to spend lots of time trying to find out what's wrong with you. If you don't get better then it's cost the NHS a few quid to rule out a B12 deficiency.

The important extra test they need to do is if for folate (Vit. B9).

[Rachel-285 in reply to fbirder]

I did have a serum folate test done a few weeks ago and the result was 5.3 in a range of 3 - 20, so im not sure if this is low or ok? According to the doctos this is fine.

Thanks

[Gambit62 Administrator]

There are a number of vitamins where deficiency can cause symptoms similar to those of a B12 deficiency - eg vit D also magnesium - but you wouldn't need to supplement those unless you have deficiencies ... and magnesium can be problematic as a supplement anyway (causes diarrhoea in large numbers of people)

Folate is the one vitamin that is really needed in order to process B12 - the best forms will be from your diet - so worth looking at that and making sure you are eating plenty of folate rich foods - otherwise you could supplement.

There are a number of vitamins and minerals that can become depleted when you start B12 treatment - notably folate (B9) and, particularly if you have any signs of anaemia (eg abnormal red blood cells), potassium. Whilst you can't overdose on B12 or folate you can overdose on potassium so may be worth asking to have potassium levels monitored if you do have anaema - which is what the NICE guidelines indicate anyway

[Rachel-285 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks for your reply, after having a hair test done for intolerance's as I was diagnosed with IBS it was highlighted to me then I had low vit D and magnesium so have been taking over the counter supplements for a few weeks.

[Emfeet]

Hi Rachel, I don't have the good factual knowledge that others have, am currently having a bad day , I know people talk about fogs I just feel exhausted & unable to do what I need to do, but feel strong to persist with the GP a task I feel unable to achieve but feel supported & hopefully listened to tomorrow! I call it a treacle day wading & getting nowhere!

Good Luck!

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Rachel-285 do as fbirder suggests and gently reason with your doctor that, by giving you a series of B12 injections, if your symptoms improve or even "go away", he will have learned how to treat B12 deficiency cheaply and efficiently and you will be walking on air.

I wish you all the best - and Oh - don't forget to have your B9 Folate level checked.