PLEASE HELP!!!!

[Ari3]

Hey guys! Which test should I do if I want to know my body uses vitamin b12 and absorbs it ? Any gene test?If you are in uk please could you suggest me any good private lab ? you could have a functional B12 deficiency, where your body absorbs B12 but it can't get into the cells.

[fbirder]

No genetic tests can tell you want you want to know.

You want a test for methylmalonic acid. MMA is used in one of the reactions mediated by B12. If B12 isn't getting into the right bit of the cells then MMA levels will be high.

Viapath can do the test privately. There's a discount for PAS members - see the pinned post.

[Ari3 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you so much which pinned post is it please can’t see any and what exact website they have pls could u direct me please?

[Ari3 in reply to fbirder]

I looked at their website is it MMA acid test ? Do I need to ring to the company in order to order this test? Can I do in any clinic -to drawn the blood? And if MMA is high and vitamin b12 is not getting in my cells what are next options ?how to correct it ? Thank you in advance

[fbirder in reply to Ari3]

Go to this page and 'Learn More' about either the 'My B12' or My B12+' tests. The '+' test includes homocysteine - which is another chemical raised if B12 isn't getting into the cells.

You can order online.

Any clinic can take the blood sample. They must use the tubes provided by Viapath.

If you do have a functional deficiency I'm not sure if there's any way to fix it. It is very rare.

[Ari3 in reply to fbirder]

So which one should I test MMA or homocysteine?

[fbirder in reply to Ari3]

With Viapath it’s MMA or both.

High MMA can be caused by a variety of conditions. So if the result did come back high you’d still need to get your doctor to carry out kidney and liver function tests.

If both hCys and MMA are high then it’s much more likely that B12 is the cause. But still not certain.

[Ari3 in reply to fbirder]

If I want to do this test who can draw my bloods in uk if I don’t live in london?

[Ari3 in reply to fbirder]

I want to order a test from there registrated myself but it says that they have two options one is to have ur bloods drawn for free in londons clinic or hospital and other option to find gp or urself to drawn blood so my gp won’t do it I know I asked him so how can I find than who can drawn a blood out

[fbirder in reply to Ari3]

I would google local private health clinics and contact them.

[Ari3]

I can only see on top of this page home posts search members about and more .i can not see the free face

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Absorbing B12 very different from metabolising B12

The most common absorption problem is PA - whilst this does seem to have a genetic component (it runs in families) I don't think the genes responsible have been identified. There are probably a large number of genes that could be involved but they are latent genes - meaning that possessing the gene alone isn't going to cause PA but the gene combined with some other factors (which vary depending on the precise genetic variant) can activate the gene.

Genetic problems that affect metabolism of B12 are very rare - a few of the genes are mentioned in this article.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

I don't think any of these genes are available as part of regular panel kits/assessments.

These genetic variants should result in high MMA and homocysteine levels so probably easier to use these tests as a proxy measure.

There are some who suspect that MMA and homocysteine won't tell the whole story at the gene level. B12 is used at steps in a large number of processes just that most is used in the two cycles relating to these cellular by-products.

[Ari3 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank u for this information so I will do than MMA and homocysteine test of vitamin b12 but again now before I do that test should i go off from vitamin b supplements four month now ?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Ari3]

if you want to know if functional B12 deficiency is currently an issue then you should take it as you are now - eg whilst taking supplement.

[Ari3 in reply to Gambit62]

Last question should I do MMA and homocysteine or can I do just MMA and get picture as well?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Ari3]

not an expert but if there are two main processes and there are different things that could be wrong and some would affect only one then that would suggest that both would be needed.

[Ari3 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you so much

[Ari3 in reply to Gambit62]

Forgot to ask you which MMA test is best urine or blood I mean more accurate

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Ari3]

urine test is supposed to be better - easier to rule out other possibilities and I suspect the test is also more specific

[deniseinmilden in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you for this Gambit62 - I really appreciate your knowledge and clear detail with links. It helps me greatly.

[squirrelwarrior]

I've used a company called Thriva who test your B12 levels and have recently brought out a test for how much active b12 is in your blood. Its an at home blood test that is analysed by a doctor and you get your results online in a few days. You can do a one off test or subscribe and do one every three months to keep and eye on things. I hope this helps.