Hypothyroidism or B12 problem?

[AiryFairie]

A family member is currently being investigated for Hypo-type symptoms, but blood test results have shown the following: Vit B12 151 (140 - 724). She has shown negative for Hashimoto's antibodies, with TSH within range at 2.96 (0.27 - 4.20) Could it be B12?

[taka Administrator]

Hi AiryFairie

Yes your family member has pretty low B12 - in the grey zone where she may or may not have symptoms. Does she have symptoms of a B12 deficiency? I see from a previous post the units are pmol/L for this so this equates to 204ng/L. Not sure which units her previous result of 224 was in but in either unit her levels are low and she may need injections to help raise them if she is having symptoms. It may be hard to work out whether her thyroid probs or low B12 are behind whatever symptoms she has though.

Some links:

B12 deficiency symptom list: b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

PAS symptom list: pernicious-anaemia-society....

BSH guidelines for treating B12 and folate deficiency: pernicious-anaemia-society....

She needs to discuss this result with her doctor - possibly taking along a copy of whichever symptom list marked with which one she has and a copy of the treatment guidelines (as her GP may not know much about B12!). Also mention that she is trying for a baby soon as B12 levels fall during pregnancy which would not be great if they are already borderline low. Her GP may request more blood tests to check for anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (to check for Pernicious anaemia) and possibly MMA and or homocysteine to confirm a B12 deficiency at a biochemical level. Has she had her folate levels checked too? This is important as it works hand in hand with B12.

Good luck.

[AiryFairie in reply to taka]

Thank you for your reply Taka. Yes, my Daughter does have symptoms, but they are similar to Hypothyroid symptoms so we need to know if it is low vitamin levels. Or maybe both. Her Serum Folate was tested at 8.5 (3.10 - 20.5) ug/l.