New blood test results after loading doses

[Cali25]

Hi everyone, these are my latest bloods after finally getting 6 loading doses at 1 per week. GP wouldn't give them every other day as over the top in his opinion!

Range in brackets

Total white cell count 6.5 10*9/L (3.60-10.5)

Red blood count. 4.65 10*12/L ( 3.85 - 5.20 )

Haemoglobin estimation 141 g/l (118 - 158 )

Haematocrit 0.418 (0.350 - 0.455 )

Mean corpuscle vol 89.9 fl (80 - 101 )

Mean corpusc Haemoglobin 30.3 pg ( 27 - 34 )

Mean corpusc. Haemoglobin concentration 338 g/L (315 - 360 )

Red blood cell distribution width 13.7 (11.5 - 14.7 ) !! This has gone down a little since the last test.

Platelet count 291 10*9/L (160-370)

Mean platelet volume 7.1 fl (5.90-9.90)

Neutrophil count 3.74 10*9/L (1.50-7.70)

Lymphocyte count 2.08 10*9/L (1.10-4.00)

Monocyte count 0.31 10*9/L (0.10-0.90)

Eosinophil count 0.25 10*9/L (0.02-0.50)

Basophil count 0.04 10*9/L (0.00-0.20)

Large unstained cells 0.12 10*9/L (0.0-0.5)

Folate. 5. ug/L ( 3 - 19 ) ! Down from 8. Ug/L last time

B12 >2000 ng/L. ( 170 - 730 ) after 6 loading doses.

Serum Ferritin 28 ug/l ( 10 - 290 )

Ferritin has only increased from 7ug/l to 28ug/l in 6 mths even though the dose has been doubled, and no change from last time even though dose upped again. To 3 x 210mcg

in my third week since the last shot and lots of symptoms coming back, I think I'm going to have to SI as the GP has put me back to 8wks now, after arguing the point over neuro symptoms. He then said when no further improvement I can go on to 12wks! I just don't think I can get any further with him.

I've started taking Vit D as that was still low, do I need to take folate now as it has dropped from before I had the loading doses?

Any advice on the results would be appreciated,

Thanks Cali.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Cali25 yes I think you need to supplement with folic acid or increase your intake of folate rich vegetables - sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, spinach, peas, beans etc. Folic acid is also to be found fortified into many breakfast cereals.

Have you supplemented with Folate whist having the injections?

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance. Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body.

Personally I have taken 1 – Folic Acid 400μg tablet every day for more years than I can remember and I've been having B12 injections for 46 years. They can be bought quite cheaply over the counter at any pharmacy or supermarket.

I'm a bit cross at your doctor's flippant "opinion" assuming he's never experienced neuropathy occasioned by a B12 deficiency. He should know that you cannot overdose on B12 as any excess is excreted via your urine. He ought also to be following the N.I.C.E guidelines.

Hopefully boosting your folate and with the additional Vitamin D you will soon begin to feel better.

I'm not a medically trained person but there are others on here who will give you good advice and I wish you well.

[Cali25 in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clive, I got the folic acid 400ug along with the Vit D and have started to take it since my last loading dose. The trouble is the GP is totally convinced that the treatment for B12 deficiency is not the same as PA. he reads the guidance in the BNF out to me and says you don't have PA !!! He just doesn't get it. I'm going to order what I need to SI from the German pharmacy mentioned on here. I can't wait until the 4th December for my next shot. Thanks for your reply.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Cali25]

options include:

a) formally reiterating the regime for treatment with neurological symptoms in writing, with a copy to the practice administrator and asking why you are not being treated in accordance with current standards. The BCSH guidelines are clearer about the different absorption problems that can lead to a B12 deficiency than the NICE guidelines

b) contacting the PAS

pernicious-anaemia-society....

you may need to join if not already a member

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Cali25 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit, because he has given me 6 doses and my bloods were over 2000 it's ok to put me on 8 weekly. He isn't going to deviate from this, I feel I need it more often at least for now.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Cali25]

>2000 shows that you have B12 in your blood. There is a lot more to metabolising B12 than getting it in to your blood and normal range does not apply after loading doses and should not be used as a guide to the treatment you need, unless they are low. symptoms are what really count.

your doctor is wrong but explaining why is quite complex

[Marymary7]

You need quite a high dose of D3 and also K2 taken together to ensure it goes to the right place and doesn't block your arteries.

I use Oxford Vitality, D3 5,000 iu and K2 MK-7 100mcg , I have no idea if it's doing any good though! Hard to tell.

[KimberinUS]

You need magnesium if you take D. I took 5000 iu of d plys A and K for 16 months and my d only raised from 20 to 39. It raised to 70 once i started taking magnesium. Additionally magnesium helps with anxiety, irritability and achy joints.

I have get my rda of 4700 mcg of potassium DAILY, if i want to clear brain fog and fatigue.

Good luck.