B12 / folate results advice appreciated - Pernicious Anaemi...

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B12 / folate results advice appreciated

alysonkerry- profile image
12 Replies

Hi there I posted a little while ago after blood tests show I was slightly below range for my folate and low to mid range for my B12. I am hypothyroid and on Levo as well as having recently started Vit D K2 Magnesium & selenium supplements my recent peroxidase antibodies came back high insinuating I have hashimotos I believe. I am seeing GP

In 2 weeks the earliest appt I could get but probs being impatient just wonder if I should start supplementing B12 & folate ? My recent bloods show folate just in range now but still believe it should be near top of range for me & my conditions as always any comments or info greatly appreciated :)

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fbirder profile image
fbirder

Your B12 is above the middle of the normal range, so I doubt there's any problem here.

Your folate is toward the low end of normal. What makes you think that it needs to be near the top of the range?

alysonkerry- profile image
alysonkerry- in reply tofbirder

Hi thanku for your reply I was asked to have another blood test as my previous one showed folate just below range & B12 low range and these are the new results. I was informed by fellow members of the thyroid Uk site that when you have hypothyroidism & hashimotos your B12 & folate should be at high end of range ?? Is this not the case ? :)

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toalysonkerry-

No, I don't believe it is.

alysonkerry- profile image
alysonkerry- in reply tofbirder

Oh I see thanku was just goin on the previous advice given :)

taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Not sure why you think your folate should be top of the range? Your folate is in range and has improved from your previous results. Did your GP give you folate supplements for that low result or is this a retest? If you haven't supplemented to it looks like you have raised your levels via folate from your food ok so are now in range. Your best source of folate is via food so make sure you include lots of things like spinach, broccoli, beans, whole grain foods, pork, poultry and some cereals (some are fortified with folic acid).

Your B12 is 385pmol/L which is the same as 522ng/L (which is the more commonly used units in the UK) so is at a level where it is not likely that you have symptoms associated with a B12 deficiency. The units used weren't clear from your previous post (+ no range). It can be hard to work out whether your thyroid problem is causing any symptoms you have or something else though. What does your GP say?

alysonkerry- profile image
alysonkerry- in reply totaka

Thankyou so much for your reply. These results were from a retest. I haven't seen my GP yet see her in 2 weeks to discuss results. I was told by members of the thyroid uk forum that my B12 & folate should be in top end of range for someone who has hypothyroidism & hashimotos. I have started supplementing with Vit D selenium K2 & magnesium since my previous results & gone gluten free diet wise so maybe this has impacted on the new levels. Am I incorrect in thinking my B12/folate levels should be higher ? Thanks again :)

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

I have read that some people can have a functional b12 deficiency eg plenty in blood but not enough getting into cells.

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

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

Are you symptomatic for B12 deficiency?

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

pernicious-anaemia-society....

alysonkerry- profile image
alysonkerry- in reply toSleepybunny

Thankyou for the link it's very interesting & will discuss with GP not 100% sure if I am symptomatichave been having probs with my thyroid & blood tests showed lower levels of B12/folate & was advised that they should be higher ? :)

csnjek profile image
csnjek

I think the bigger question is "how are you feeling?". Do you have b12 deficiency symptoms? What were your prior numbers? When I was finally diagnosed with PA my level was critically low at 85! My neurologist would like for me to be as close to 1000 at all times as that is when my neurological symptoms are at their best. Last summer, I was not feeling well and was rechecked. While my number was 700 it was declining. I also have Vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroid as well. I think Clive and several others explain many aspects of b12 much more eloquently than I can. It may be more about how your body utilizes b12. Keep reading and asking questions ! Good luck!

alysonkerry- profile image
alysonkerry- in reply tocsnjek

Thankyou for your reply my previous results s were just slightly lower then my recent post 343 B12 & 3.2 folate will take all advice onboard & read links before I see & discuss with my GP much appreciated :)

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

Are you in UK?

If you are I'd recommend reading the whole "BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines". It's a UK B12 document that gives guidance to UK doctors on treatment and diagnosis of b12 deficiency.

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/ click on box that says "Diagnosis of B12 and Folate Deficiency" should be on page 3 of listed guidelines.

Link to flowchart in BSH Cobalamin guidelines.

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

Other B12 info

1) Pinned posts on forum

2) PAS website

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no +44 (0)1656 769 717

Martyn Hooper's blog

martynhooper.com/

3) B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

4) b12d.org website

b12d.org/

5) book "What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper. up to date with UK B12 guidelines.

6) book "Could It Be B12" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart

Very comprehensive book about B12, lots of case studies.

7) BMJ B12 article

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

8) BNF (British National formulary) Chapter 2 Section 1.2

evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/b...

Causes of B12 Deficiency

b12deficiency.info/what-are...

"just wonder if I should start supplementing B12"

If you think you may have B12 deficiency then supplementing prior to a diagnosis can make it very difficult to get a diagnosis.

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

What to do next?

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

Writing to GP about B12 deficiency

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

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

alysonkerry- profile image
alysonkerry- in reply toSleepybunny

Thanku so much again for all the info advice & links will look into all of it really appreciate it :)

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