Looking for Advice

[Furmummy]

Hi,

So I have jumped over from the Thyroid Support Group at their suggestion.

I am trying to get a diagnosis for my many symptoms which are similar to PA and Hypothyroidism, and Chronic fatigue Syndrome.

I have had an ultrasound on my throat and the radiologist said everything looked fine.

So looking at my blood results are they indicative of PA?

[Furmummy]

If it helps I can post my other blood tests?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

You certainly have a folate deficiency.

The indication in the results is that you probably aren't B12 deficient as the active B12 is well in range.

However, if the problem isn't folate in your diet then that would point to a folate absorption problem which would make it more likely that you also have a B12 absorption problem but that isn't obvious from a single measure.

There is a huge range for B12 which means that what is right for an individual varies a lot. Your body tends to be very good at regulating B12 levels using stores in the liver but if you have an absorption problem that stops working and your levels will start to drop. A significant drop would indicate that you do have a B12 absorption problem but it hasn't dropped you out of the normal range yet, but that doesn't mean that your GP should be waiting for it to drop below the normal range.

[Furmummy in reply to Gambit62]

My MCH and MCHC are also within range but at the high end. I understand that this could be indicative of B12 deficiency?

MCH 31.2 (27-32)

MCHC 340 (315-345)

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Furmummy]

yes, it could be indicative of B12 deficiency but it is also a symptom of folate deficiency - which you definitely have.

clarification on B12 status would mean either

- testing MMA (should be really high) and the test needs to be done in conjunction with kidney function as that can also raise MMA, or

- showing a significant downward trend in B12 levels over time