I have a blood result of 146 for vit ... - Pernicious Anaemi...

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I have a blood result of 146 for vit B12 query if this is low? I have Osteoparosis, Scoliosiosis and other chronic health diagnosis. (64yr)

jiward•

6 years ago•6 Replies

Feeling so unwell and tired

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jiward

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Vitamin B12

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clivealiveForum Support6 years ago

Hi jiward if this was tested at your surgery has your doctor not suggested any treatment?

Do you know what the range <from -- to> was of the B12>

Depending on what measurement was used by the laboratory you may be classed as "within range"

Do you know if your Folate level was measured at the same time?

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

wedgewood6 years ago

Yes , that is a low result . It doesn’t have to mean that you have PA. But either you are not eating enough vitamin B12 - containing food ( animal products, dairy products , eggs , or you are not absorbing well for some reason . As we get older , we produce less stomach acid , which is essential for absorbing B12 and other essential vitamins and minerals . This can lead to Osteoporosis . Low stomach acid occurs in PA patients . So as we get older it’s wise to supplement . It’s often difficult to get a diagnosis of PA , because the test is so unreliable if it is negative. ( up to 60% of negative tests are not correct ) if you have PA , really it’s only injections that help . Folate / folic acid is also important in using B12 (green leafy veg or a folic acid tablet )

If the reason for your low B12 isn’t PA , then tablets should help .

If you are on certain medications , your B12 will be lowered .This includes P.P.I s ( eg Omeprazole etc);Proton Pump Inhibitors. antacids , and some Diabetic preparations like Metformin .

I found a useful article about osteoporosis. “ The unusual link between low stomach acid and Osteoporosis,” on universityhealthnews.com daily Have a read . Hope that I have helped a bit .

fbirder6 years ago

It might be low. It depends on the range and the units. 146 is low if it’s ng/L and borderline if it’s pmol/L.

Polaris6 years ago

Hello jiward

The serum test for B12 is unreliable for many reasons as stated in Martyn Hooper's latest book on Pernicious Anaemia.

bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5226

The latest BMJ research document summary only above (full document behind a paywall but GP should be able to access) also states that there is no reliable test.

If the cause of B12 def. is dietary and not an autoimmune condition, oral supplementation and a nutritious diet will usually suffice but, if you have an autoimmune condition, H/Pylori, or problems with digestion (coeliac, Crohns, gastritis, gastric surgery etc.), the condition is more complex as B12 from food is not likely to be absorbed, depletes over time and oral supplements are not usually absorbed either.

There is further risk for those of us over the age of 60, as gastric atrophy means hydrochloric acid (which begins the process of extracting B12 from food) is more likely to reduce significantly, leading to deficiency in B12 as well as other essential nutrients, in which case, you would need to be treated with B12 injections without delay, especially if your symptoms are neurological. Crippling fatigue is one symptom and I've read somewhere that osteoporosis can be connected to low B12.

Other medications can also deplete B12, i.e. Metformin, PPIs etc. statins, antibiotics, BP medication, etc.

Researchers believe leaky gut/intestinal disease/gastric atrophy is the source of autoimmune disease, leading to low hydrochloric acid and inability to absorb B12.

Many more links on the r/h side of the forum.

Warm wishes for diagnosis and good treatment jiward.