B12 levels- low or normal?

[LACGlos]

Hello

Both my mum and my Auntie have pernicious anaemia, but so far I have not shown the antibody in my test results.

Since 2011, I have had drops in my b12 levels and have had to have injections. It started every 2 years, then went down to every 1 year and I now have the symptoms 7 months after my last injections.

Due to changes at my GP surgery I have had to see a new doctor and she said my b12 level is 248. I told her I have the pins and needles, headaches, palpitations, confusion, poor coordination, fatigue and dizzyness I always get but she didn't seem willing to take my past medical history into consideration at all, just kept saying levels are fine, it must be your anxiety. I can't see my usual doctor, no appointments. I'm worried about neurological damage.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Thanks

[fbirder]

Write a letter to your normal doctor saying you are worried about permanent nerve damage.

[LACGlos in reply to fbirder]

Thanks, I have written it and sent it off. Can only wait now 😓

[LACGlos]

Yes, I am in Gloucestershire. I have written my letter, just have to wait now I guess. Thanks though.

[dingusgirl]

I just found out a week ago that I have Vit D (26) and vit b12 (288) levels. I’ve only since been supplementing. The first 2 days I felt better than I have in a while. But the last 2 days are back to before I even started. Dizziness, lightheaded, off balance, fast heart rate when moving around, disoriented, and poor concentration. It’s driving me nuts. I have MRI scheduled in 3 days. Hope to get cleared from that so I know it’s just the deficiencies.

[LACGlos in reply to dingusgirl]

Are you supplementing by taking tablets? That's something else that worries me. I eat so much food with b12 in it, including Marmite on toast for breakfast every morning. My doctor says that they are moving away from injections to tablets and I don't understand how my stomach can absorb from a tablet if it can't absorb from food. It's driving me nuts too. I have a job where I have to be able to concentrate 😥

[dingusgirl in reply to LACGlos]

I am supplementing with tablets. The b12 are dissolvable that you put on tongue. I haven’t thought about how it absorbs the tablet if our bodies can’t. I’m guessing bc it’s a concentrated amount that is far more than in the food we eat. I asked about the injection thinking it would boost my levels faster but dr said I need the 5000 dose everyday for now. Maybe the shot later. What symptoms are you experiencing with this? Any similar to mine?

[LACGlos in reply to dingusgirl]

Yes. Normally I can walk 10 miles no problem, but when my levels are low I can barely make it up a flight of stairs without feeling breathless. I have palpitations, pins & needles in my hands and feet, forgetfulness, digestive problems, dizziness and sometimes I just have to lay on my bed as I can't move or I fall asleep during the day when I've had a good amount of sleep. I didn't know you could get tablets for the tongue, perhaps it's a different kind of absorption. There's so much info out there, you don't know what to trust. Really scary to think you might not be able to trust your doctor too 😲