Connection between low but in normal range B12 and MCH?

[KarlNorge]

My vitamin B12 is 209 where the optimum range is 197 - 771 my MCH is 32.1 and the range is 27 - 32. Is there a link between my B12 and my MCH. Also is it possible although I am in the range that I can be treated for vitamin B12 deficiency?

[fbirder]

Mean Cell Haemaglobin can be raised if you have large red cells, which are caused by low B12 or folate. Did you have a high Mean Cell Volume (MCV)?

[KarlNorge in reply to fbirder]

Yes I - very slightly elevated

[Gambit62 Administrator]

197-771 is the normal range - rather than the 'optimum range' - its based on statistical averages of where most people who are healthy fall.

Serum B12 is only a rough guide at best - not a gold standard test - it will miss 25% of people who are B12 deficient and catch 5% who aren't so it can't really be used as a single measure - symptoms need to be evaluated as well - one of which would be macrocytosis - an anaemia in which your red blood cells are slightly rounder and larger than normal - which would be indicated by high MCH and high MCV.

You should be treated for B12 deficiency if you are B12 deficient going by clinical evaluation (symptoms) even if the serum levels are in normal range - particularly if you have neurological symptoms.

Protocols for treatment vary from country to country - most of the protocols talked about on this forum relate to the UK.

Are you based in the UK

[KarlNorge in reply to Gambit62]

Yes I am

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to KarlNorge]

in that case you need to start refering your GP to the BCSH guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of cobalamin and folate deficiencies which they can access through the BNF but can also be accessed here

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

would also be useful to compile a list of symptoms - though there is a signifant overlap with thyroid

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[SusanLMckinney]

My son had symptoms that went away when he started taking shots and his numbers were in the 200 range. I think different people can have adverse affects at different ranges. He was having tingling in his legs, feet and arms and hands.