new b12 results showing NORMAL - Pernicious Anaemi...

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new b12 results showing NORMAL

bluetit42 profile image
18 Replies

initially i wrote to the group that my serum b12 was 365 and folate 2.5. feeling very poorly for years as i was diagnosed with lupus. then i was told i don't have lupus. so started looking into my symptoms and came across the b12 deficiency issue. managed to get my dr to do serum homocysteine level which came back 11.8 i think the range is 0.00-15.00. so that looks great

methyl malonic acid (BCU) normal 0.15 range 0.00-0.29umol/L

can anyone tell me what this means am i being fobbed off that this is a normal reading. i ma very very symptomatic have been for years

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bluetit42
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18 Replies
Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

You mentioned receiving hydroxycobalamin in an older post and I think you said treatment was stopped a few months ago.

I'm wondering if the B12 supplementation in recent past has had an effect on MMA, Homocysteine etc.

Just seen your comment below, not hydroxycobalamin but hydroxychloride plaque nil for lupus so I assume MMA and Homcysteine results won't have been affected by B12 supplementation.

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

MMA

Article below mentions that some people with normal range MMA still have B12 deficiency symptoms.

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

I am not medically trained.

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply toSleepybunny

i had hydroxychloride plaque nil for lupus not hydroxy cobalamin. i want to know what these numbers mean they are saying normal but they said that about my serum b12 of 365

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply tobluetit42

The B12 result means that your serumB12 is not low.

The MMA result means that your cells are getting enough B12 and successfully converting it into adenosylcobalamin.

The hCys result means that your cells are getting enough B12 and folate and using them to produce methylcobalamin.

Altogether it strongly suggests that your symptoms have nothing to do with B12 or folate deficiency.

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply tofbirder

my folate was 2.5 not high at all you sound like the hard of hearing gp's

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply tofbirder

i dont agree with you ...there i said it lol

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply tobluetit42

and to prove your wrong 2.5 for folate is very very low. my serum homocysteine is the upper end to. the higher your homocysetein the more deficient you are for b12

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply tobluetit42

bluetit, you didn't mention folate earlier in this post and I think fbirder was responding on the basis of this post. Being folate deficient doesn't make you B12 deficient though the symptoms are very similar.

fbirder did not say that your results meant that you definitely do not have B12 deficient, just that together they make it seem unlikely.

whilst there is a lot of variation between people when it comes to B12 and this makes using the normal range as a single indicator very problematic, that doesn't mean the same is true for all other tests, and for some ranges can be much more tightly defined. Additionally serum B12 is a very indirect way of measuring how you are using B12 - MMA and homocysteine are much more direct indicators.

B12 deficiency tends to come on very slowly - developing over years. folate comes on much more quickly.

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply toGambit62

have been progressively worse over 6/7 years. balance problems, memory loss,extreme fatigue, problems with hips, lower back so very painful to walk. burning feet hands and fibro pain in all my muscles. i was diagnosed with lupus but it does not look like i have that either. i need to get better. lupus has no cure. this is a bit of hope for me

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply toGambit62

also the homocysteine level is the higher end at 11.8 very borderline and i have been reading that we should also take into account symptoms not just numbers

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply tobluetit42

You asked what your test results mean.

I replied to tell you what your test results mean.

Don't go complaining if they don't mean want you want them to mean.

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42 in reply tofbirder

i don't want to be sick i thought this was a forum to discuss ideas. i have been ill for a long time with an illness with no cure. if i can get some relief and a better quality of life because of a b12 supplement i would be more than happy. like most people have been saying its also symptoms not just borderline numbers. stop being so objective

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42

i think i will treat myself it can't do me any harm and my folate is not high at 2.5 fibrillar

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

I was highly symptomatic for B12 deficiency for years with most B12 results between 300 to 400ng

When I finally started B12 some of my symptoms disappeared which to me was proof I was B12 deficient.

Lynne0762 profile image
Lynne0762

My b12 is on the high side. My folate is so high they don't test that high (over 20). NO one knows why. I'm on my way to Cleveland clinic next. Docs say b vitimins are water soluable so they don't care. I have long bone pain so I do care as they may be connected. No one understands. UGH!

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42

its horrid not knowing what to o between a rock and a hard place :(

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42

i have been taking solgar subliminal for a month now not much difference in symptoms. going to have a b12 blood test and folate test within the week

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny in reply tobluetit42

Hi bluetit42

Might be worth starting a new thread with updates, as new posts on older threads get missed sometimes.

Taking B12 supplements prior to having a b12 test is likely to affect the B12 results.

b12deficiency.info/b12-test...

I found the following B12 books useful to read.

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society). Book is up to date with UK B12 guidelines.

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

"Could it Be B12; An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive book about B12 deficiency with lots of case studies.

bluetit42 profile image
bluetit42

thanks for your help sleepy bunny

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