UK B12 Level Test Range Changes!! - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,672 members24,065 posts

UK B12 Level Test Range Changes!!

Sallybones profile image
8 Replies

This is one for the wonderful helpful contributors to this site. Does anyone 'in the know', know when the B12 test range bottom level was dropped to 110ng/L from 140ng/L?

In 2004 my result was 260ng/L and the bottom level was 140ng/L.

In 2011 my result was 219ng/L and the bottom level was 110ng/L.

By 2015 my result was 189ng/L

Just curious how they come to these decisions when the rest of Europe and Japan and seemingly everyone else apart from this country look at and treat it so amazingly differently.

Still fighting my private battle with local health services but otherwise am now quite confident at self injecting and hoping things pick up albeit slowly.

Sallyb

Written by
Sallybones profile image
Sallybones
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
8 Replies
fbirder profile image
fbirder

The range change could be because they switched to a different lab, or the lab switched to a different assay.

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply tofbirder

Hi fbirder I hope you won't mind if I pick your brains but could you please interpret the following set of results for a friend of mine on another forum.

She says

I have low MPV of 6.9 --- ref of 7.4-10.4

I have high MCV of 94 --- ref of 82.0-92.0

Barely low RBC of 4.56. --- ref of 4.6-6.20

High MCH of 31.8 --- ref of 27.0-31.0

Are these indicative of a B12 deficiency?

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toclivealive

It looks like thrombocytopenia and macrocytic anaemia - both can be caused by a B12 or folate deficiency.

I'd be off to my GP.

clivealive profile image
clivealiveForum Support in reply tofbirder

Thanks - message conveyed.

helvella profile image
helvella in reply tofbirder

Except for those tests where they have put in the required effort to achieve standardisation, all test ranges can vary lab to lab, assay to assay, country to country.

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator

there are even differences in the ranges used in different areas

pernicious-anaemia-society....

listen to the radio Oxford part 2 with Martyn Hooper

Sallybones profile image
Sallybones in reply toGambit62

hya thanks for all the replies. I was just curious because the bottom level got lowered but the upper level remained the same since 2004. That's as far back as I can go with my tests. Thought levels were may be decided by some national health body?

You may be able to tell that I've lost faith in the health system and thought maybe it's just another way of saving money.

I've been with the same GP practice all my life in a small market town. Our blood tests I believe are done by our nearby hospital trust and all they seem to be interested in is winning awards for this that and the other!!!

Sallyb

Sallybones profile image
Sallybones in reply toGambit62

Thanks for the link Gambit62. Will listen to it later today when my brain is awake.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Low serum B12 level but top of the range Active B12 level.

Hi I have popped over from the thyroid forum and hope someone can help with my results. November...
lucylocks profile image

B12 Level falling

Hi Everyone, I don't have Pernicious Anaemia so sorry for posting however I though that you be...
Will4318 profile image

RDW Range B12

Another GP described, As my RDW is 13.1 Range 11-14.50 you would have noticed a rise in the...
Advice1 profile image

B12 level

Hi I’ve posted on here the other day to say I had left it 6 weeks in between my B12 jab instead of...

Iron level

Some help please ,I am a female in my 30s i have Thalassemia trait which means i am a carrier. I...
Advice1 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.