How long for MCH and size of blood cells to return to normal ?

[KarlNorge]

I was diagnosed with low B12 about 1 year ago and have since been having vitamin B12 injections every 12 weeks - my MCH is still marginally high and my blood cells are still too big - does anyone know how long it will take for these to return to normal and are they an indication that l may need more B12 injections ?

Any comments will help !

[fbirder]

It takes about 3 months for the life-cycle of a red blood cell. But, when a B12 deficiency is first treated the body goes into a burse of new red cell formation, so it takes less than three months to replace them all.

What's your folate like? If that is low it can cause a high MCV?

Or you may have problems with some other part of the cycle. Ask for a homocysteine test. hCys is used up in the reaction mediated by B12 and folate. If there is a problem then hCys may be raised.

[KarlNorge in reply to fbirder]

Thank you - l will take a look at this

[KarlNorge in reply to fbirder]

Just one question- my levels of B12 go down to about 250 at week 10 - could it be l need more B12 ?

[fbirder in reply to KarlNorge]

We are fond of this saying here -

Blood levels of B12 aren't relevant once treatment has started. Treat the symptoms, not the numbers.

How are your symptoms?

[KarlNorge in reply to fbirder]

Hello there

I still get the same as before but the magnitude is less. If numbers are not particularly relevant it could be argued that they are not relevant for all symptoms as well as the size of red blood cells I guess!