Low B12 levels, not sure why.

[Mefzs123]

I had some standard blood test done about 8 months ago with my GP. Not looking for anything in particular, just part of a medical checkup. My B12 came out at 102 ng/L. I'm a 28 year old healthy female if that makes any difference!

Doctor didn't seem too concerned as everything else was fine and I was feeling fine with no symptoms. They also tested me for Intrinsic Factor Antibodies and it came out negative. She told me to take B12 tablets and come back 3 months later to get tested again. 3 months later B12 was slightly higher at 118ng/L, but still in the "too low" range. My Ferritin was also slightly low at 10. So kept on taking oral B12 and also an iron supplement.

Got checked again last week. Iron is fine. However B12 is now gone down to 98 ng/L. I don't know how as I've been taking the oral B12 everyday.

I don't eat meat but do eat fish, seafood, dairy and eggs. So doubt it's diet related. And the Intrinsic Factor Antibodies test was negative. I'm getting a worried now. Still feeling fine though. No tiredness or anything.

I booked an appointment with my GP for next week to "discuss the results". Maybe she'll put me on shots.

Has anyone else had low B12 levels with no symptoms and not sure why the levels are low..?

[Galixie]

The intrinsic factor antibody test is not very reliable. Getting a negative result doesn't rule out pernicious anemia, although there could be another reason for the deficiency. I think the important thing for you and your doctor to focus on is that you've proven that tablets are not effective in raising your levels. (Btw, what strength were the tablets that you were taking?)

Assuming that you were taking around 1000mcg a day, after three months your level should have increased. Since it didn't, injections are likely to be far more effective.

I went the route of trying really hard to figure out the exact cause of my B12 deficiency and all that led to was more confusion. So I am jaded about bothering with additional testing. However, your doctor may suggest some more tests be run to rule out other possible causes like h. pylori bacteria or parasites. Since you were able to absorb the iron tablets, it doesn't quite sound like a bigger malabsorption problem as would be seen in celiac disease. Having additional testing done may lead to answers on why your level is low. But even if you don't get any answers for 'why', the treatment is the same: replacement therapy. Like I said, since the tablets don't seem to work, your best option will be injections.

[Mefzs123 in reply to Galixie]

Thanks for the reply! The tablets are 1000mcg Methylcobalamin. These ones: solgar.com/SolgarProducts/M... Been taking them now for 6 months. And my b12 levels are now lower than they were at the beginning. So injections it is I'd say!

My Mother was on antibiotics for h.pylori before and I do have stomach issues (bloating, intolerance to certain foods..) so could be something to do with that. I've been tested for Coeliac disease before which came out negative.

I'm assuming my GP will put me on the injections anyway seeing as the tablets didn't seem to do much.

[Mefzs123]

Thanks for the reply! I'm not on any of the drugs mentioned. Thanks for the link, I'll take it to the GP. I just don't understand why I'm not getting any symptoms. Maybe when/if I do get the japs I'll have this new found super energy. We'll see!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

normal range is a statistical average and some people are fine with lower levels.

the difference between 98 and 102 isn't significant and would be covered in the error that you could get from measuring the same sample twice.

Your levels are very low compared to just about everyone else but that doesn't mean that they aren't right for you, and if you really aren't symptomatic then you may just be someone who genuinely is okay with extremely low levels.

However, have you looked through the symptoms of B12 deficiency and really thought about what might apply - even if it is something that has been going on for years - B12 deficiency can take decades to develop so it may be that the symptoms have crept up on you very slowly and you just don't register them. I had problems with depression and anxiety for 40 years before I was diagnosed so really didn't think that they were connected to B12, until they went when I finally started to get the amount of B12 I needed.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Please don't get pressurised into supplementing just on the basis of numbers - although B12 isn't toxic some people respond to high levels in serum by shutting down the mechanism that lets B12 pass from blood to cell, leading to a functional B12 deficiency - recognised in relation to some conditions that can raise B12 levels that symptoms of B12 can result from high serum levels.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Gambit62]

just a thought - was the test that was done serum B12 or active B12 - if it was active B12 then the numbers you have are actually quite good and well into the normal range.

[Mefzs123 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks for your detailed answer. This forum is a great help!

It was the serum test that was done.

I went to the doctor today as something came up on the day I initially had it planned for (next week). GP was again very helpful and went through the results with me and started shots straight away. Got my first one today. I need to get one every week for 5 weeks.

She seems to think that my low B12 levels may be linked to digestive issues. I’ve always had ibs type symptoms although not as much in the last year or so. So she has requested an appointment for a colonoscopy and endoscopy just incase.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Mefzs123]

hope the colonoscopy and endoscopy show up the cause.