Hypo but possible Pernicious anaemia

[EasyPeasy12]

Hi all

I have come from thyroid support to ask if someone could take a look at my results?

Hypo on 300 levo per day

Thyroid function test, will be filed as 442..13 thyroid function tests, serum free t4 level (doesnt say anything after this??

Serum tsh level 1.52 mu/l (0.27 - 4.2)

Serum free t3 level 4.2 pmol/l (3.1-6.8)

Vitamin b12 and folate, will be filed as 44lc.00

Serum b12 221 ng/l (197-771)

Serum folate 10.2 ug/l (3.9-26.8)

C reactive protein, will be filed as 44cc.00 plasma c reactive protein

Serum c reactive protein level 4mg/l (0-5)

Thanks so much!!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

folate looks okay.

serum B12 is in the grey area - what symptoms do you have?

pernicious-anaemia-society....

serum B12 is a problematic test in as much as it is a rather indirect measure of what is happening at the cell level. There is a lot of variation from person to person in the levels at which they are healthy which means setting a 'normal' range is quite difficult. The normal range will miss 25% of people who are deficient but will also catch 5% who aren't, so looking at symptoms is important.

Have you had a full blood count? - and did it show any signs of macrocytosis (larger rounder red blood cells)? This is a classic symptom of B12 and folate deficiency but, as with most of B12 there is a lot of variation in what symptoms affect an individual and it isn't present in 25% of those who are B12 deficient.

Tests that can help to clarify if B12 deficiency is happening at the cell level are MMA and homocysteine. As your folate is okay either test/both would be possible clarifiers (folate deficiency also raises homocysteine). Both tests look at nasties that build up if your cells don't have enough B12 to recycle them but they can also be raised by other factors.

Assuming that the low B12 isn't caused by lack of B12 in your diet - it's only found in animal products so if you eat very little/no meat/fish/dairy/egg then a dietary deficiency is a possibiltiy and this can be treated with much lower levels of B12 than an absorption problem.

What is your relationship with your GP like? Ideally you should be working with him to get a B12 absorption problem identified and treated - and testing means not starting to supplement with B12 - please read through the pinned posts on the forum for details on testing etc.

Unfortunately B12 deficiency and its causes and treatment are generally very poorly understood by GPs so you may need to work with your GP to get the diagnosis and treatment you need.