B12 levels and absorption question

[Sasha1]

If my B12 serum levels are within range or high, due to taking high dosage B12 sublinguals, will MMA and HCY Homocysteine tests reveal an absorption problem?

My aunt has PA and I've been recently diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and MS and it wouldn't surprise me if these conditions have been exacerbated by low B12 levels over the years.

My neurologist has run a B12 serum test but I presume it will be high as I've been taking 5,000mg of meth B12 sublinguals for a couple of months.

I pointed this out to him so he has run MMA and HCY tests. Im waiting for the results. Will these possibly reveal an absorption problem despite high B12 serum levels, does anyone know?

Sasha

[clivealive Forum Support]

Is your Aunt a direct blood relation Sasha1 ? P.A. can be "inherited"

was your Folate level tested at the same time?

Post the results on here when you get them and let us know how you get on.

I'm not medically trained but there are others on here who will be able to give you good advice

[Sasha1]

Hi Clive,

Yes, she is my paternal aunt and I've actually only just learnt that she has PA. My neurologist also tested for folate I see, but again I've been taking at least 800ug of folate in my various supplements for a while, so that will change my result, no doubt.

Hence my question about MMA and HCY tests revealing a possible absorption issue regardless of serum levels.

Sasha

[fbirder]

No, MMA and hCys tests, in the presence of high serum B12, will not reveal an absorption problem. These two tests will reveal an insufficiency of B12 in the cells.

One cause of this may be an absorption problem which causes low serum B12. But taking high-dose oral B12 can give high serum levels, even with an absorption problem.

[Sasha1]

Thanks for your comments. On the basis of what you say, it sounds as if it would have to be a case of try it and see regarding potentially self injecting B12 to improve fatigue symptoms. Stopping the B12 supplements for months with a view to re testing my B12 levels once the effects of supplementation have worn off and reduced, would be counter productive, I feel.

Sasha