B12 of 290 , should I supplement? GP says no...

[Tima69]

Title says it all really!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

290 is grey range - symptoms need to be evaluated. What symptoms do you have? - there's a list in the pinned posts on this forum.

Serum B12 is an inconclusive test as it just measures amounts in blood, gives no idea what is happening at the cell level and it is what is happening at the cell level. Your GP may also be under the mistaken impression that macrocytosis has to be present if there is a B12 deficiency - about 30% of people with absorption problems develop neurological symptoms first.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

It may be difficult to evaluate symptoms if you have another condition - such as thyroid (which you do seem to have)

there are tests that can help to clarify if there is an underlying B12 deficiency - such as MMA and homocysteine.

Further testing will be difficult if you start supplementing so please try to exhaust possibilities with your GP before supplementing if possible.

and please be aware of this warning from the pinned posts

b12researchgroup.wordpress....

[pvanderaa]

Start a logbook of all your symptoms especially the neurological ones. Try to assess your own severity score. Provide the list to your GP and explain what you are doing. Ask him/her to include it in your file for future comparisons.

You have to get you GP past the "I've got a hypochondriac on my hands stage". So remain calm and speak clearly. They need to give you the prescription so you want them on your side.

Labs here in the USA add a caveat that 10% of the population exhibits neurological symptoms when results are below 400 pg/ml.

Invite your GP to do more research from material avail from other members here.

Good luck.

[Sleepybunny]

B12 Deficiency Symptoms lists

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Following UK docuemnts make it clear that patienstw ho are symptomatic fro B12 deficiency should be treated even if B12 blood test has normal ramnge results.

1) "BCSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines" See page 8 and page 29

2) bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226 See 5th summary point

It is possible to have severe B12 deficiency with b12 results within normal range.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/191...

nhs.uk/Conditions/Anaemia-v...

I am not a medic just a person who has struggled to get a diagnosis.

B12 books

"Could it be B12" by Sally Pacholok and JJ, Stuart, Very comprehensive book about B12 deficiency.

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" By Martyn hooper. Up to date with UK B12 guidelines.