Bloods not so normal after all?

[mouldy63]

I posted 2 weeks ago about my serum B12 being 602 ng/L and the GP saying my CFS is therefore not due to a B12 deficiency, and that despite me having been on a high dose B vit supplement for 2 weeks, and despite me having many of the deficiency symptoms, including tingling feet and tinnitus.

She said I'd never had a B12 test before, which I found surprising as I'd been along many times with CFS, so I asked for a printout of all previous tests, and in 2008 my B12 was 293 ng/L - in the NHS 'normal' range as I understand it, but borderline from what I've read on this forum. Is this enough to explain my fatigue (which I've had for 20 yrs), and should I ask for further tests to get more understanding of this?

The B supplements aggravated my IBS, so I swapped to patches. Does anyone know if these are as effective as the injections (that my GP refused to give), or should I self-administer the injections? The patches also aggravate the IBS, as well as making the tingling and tinnitus worse. I've read this can happen. Anyone know how long before they start making a positive impact?

Thanks.

[fbirder]

That earlier result doesn't negate the advice you were given in your original post. You need to investigate other possible causes for your symptoms.

An MMA test should determine if you're getting enough B12 into your cells.

[mouldy63 in reply to fbirder]

I can't tell you how many tests I've had over the last 20 years. Every test comes up normal.

Would the MMA test be invalidated by the B12 supplements, like the B12 test was?

[Johnathan]

In my experience a MMA test might be hard to get. If a GP dose not want to order it they will refuse - but it is worth a try. As your B12 is in the "normal" range, your chance of a refusal is quite high. My wife has used patches - and no - they are not as effective as injected B12. By all means try to get the system to treat you properly but I suspect that you will eventually end up self-injecting. After that I would not be at all surprised to hear that your tingling feet, tinnitus, tiredness and IBS all suddenly clear up.

[mouldy63 in reply to Johnathan]

Thank you. I've arranged to see a private GP, so hopeful that he will be more helpful. But as you say, the last resort is self-injecting.

[SusanLMckinney]

If you are taking shots, one a day for ??, 2 a week for a month, one a week and then once a month you should start feeling better in a few weeks but complete healing can and probably will take over a year unless it's a mild case or some nerves were completely destroyed.