Can someone help me understand my results?

[Mrsell]

I have been reading posts for the past year trying to get my head around the wealth of info without much success.

To give you some context, I failed to pass the prick test when I went to donate blood in Feb 2018. Blood service wanted me to contact GP as it wasn’t the first time they had refused my blood due to low iron.

Spoke to GP on the phone who ordered full bloods, which confirmed I was anaemic.

March 2018

Serum B12 - 111ng/L (147.00-840.)

Serum ferritin 2ug/L (no reference range given)

Serum folate 7.4ug/L (3.1-19.9)

April 2018

Intrinsic Factor Antibody Level Test

2.4u/ml (0.0-6.0)

GP said no to PA and that I was to have 6 loading doses of B12 to improve my levels. Loading injections were carried out in late April and I followed up with GP to find out what happens next as the nurse had been under the impression that the injections would continue for life. GP felt there was no need and that I would be fine, challenged her on this and managed to get an appointment for bloods again.

Late July 2018

Serum B12 240ng/L (147.0-840.0)

Serum ferritin 3ug/L (11.0-307.0)

All of my other bloods were off at this point. Was prescribed iron tablets and B12 orally for 2 months (I think but can’t remember).

February 2019 Blood transfusion team called me to ask me to donate again, so I went back to GP to find out whether I should based on the fact I have pins and needles still and that I felt it was best to check.

March 2019

Serum B12 189ng/L (147.0-840.0)

Serum Ferritin 5ug/L (11.0-307.0)

Serum folate 4.3ug/L (3.1-19.9)

GP has now referred me to Neurologist for pins and needles and suggested I take iron tablets to boost my stores.

I guess my question is whether my levels should have been higher after the loading doses? If I have since supplemented should they have fallen from 240 to 189? Should I be pushing for more and if so, what?

[fbirder]

Your B12 levels are dropping. The pills are doing nothing for your deficiency. The IF test is meaningless.

Your pins and needles are probably because your B12 is too low. The lack of treatment will only make it worse. Write to your GP asking for proper treatment.

[greenbexy]

Your nurse is right, you need injections for life. If you look up member Sleepybunny they post lots of advice on how to tackle doctors, such as template letters etc as you are being undertreated.

[pejka62]

I had B 12 of 211 and already had nerve damage and muscle wasting in my legs. Your readings are much lower and the pins and needles you feel are the nerves that are damaged--waking up again. I'm not a doctor but I would keep my B 12 at not less than 400 if I had it to do again.

I took shots for 2 years and pills and everything that was damaged never did all come back but it's better.