Blood test results back

[Lizreds1]

I would say definitely I have p.a. However all my bloods came back in normal range, but had already started loading b12 injections and sublingual,

b12 was 766ng/L

The only two that seemed high/low

Serum folate was 4.7ug/L is this ok?

Red blood cell distribution width 14%

Thanx for your help in advance

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Folate and B12 work together so symptoms of a folate deficiency are very similar to those of B12 deficiency - and this would include marocytosis - red blood cells being larger and rounder than normal - RDW being high is a possible sign of this.

May be that your real problem is folate deficiency rather than B12 deficiency.

[Lizreds1 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi gambit Should I stop the b12 and have folate? Or could my folate be low due to the amount of b12 that I have been taking? I have seen an improvement Since having the b12! I thought it was pa as my nan had it,

Thank you for your advice

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Lizreds1]

sorry didn't notice earlier that you said you had started injections and been using sublinguals -

if the blood tests were after you had started injecting then they are on the low side - if before then not indicative of an absorption problem - PA being the most common. If you had been taking high dose sublinguals before hand then it would be inconclusive.

Folate is much more closely related to diet than B12 (as it isn't stored in the body) but can be depleted if your body is suddenly in a position to start using a lot of B12.

[Lizreds1]

The bloods were taken after starting treatment, wish I hadn't now, hindsight would be wonderful thing! I didn't know about p.a! Just thought it was a case of extra b12, how simple that would be lol. Would have liked a diagnosis off the doctor, but seeing how everybody struggle to get the right level of medication, I'm not so sure that's important now! I have been ill for 6 years and gp just told me I was lazy and I should be ok! The chronic migraines have been the worse bit for me! Each migraine lasting three days! The migraines have eased extremely since having the b12. I have Botox injections in my head every twelve weeks for migraine. But are completely pointless and extremely painful. For the doctor to give me b12 would be a hell of a lot cheaper than the Botox. I always knew there was something else behind the reason for the chronic migraines! I also have every other symptoms of pa except for I only get mild numbness in the end of my fingers occasionally