Can you have PA, inability for cells to access b12 if ok active b12 levels.

[Judithdalston]

I have hypothyroid, Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia and insulin-dependent diabetes and for last 15 months worked my way thru lots of protocols to try to get rid of excessive exhaustion and all over pain and weakness, and some mental deterioration...eg improving FT3, ferritin, folate, vits D and B12, plus magnesium, zinc, selenium.... but still have tiredness etc. Other old symptoms including tingling in fingers, hands, lower arms, toes up into thighs and some in face plus vertigo/ dizziness and brain fog are returning. 4 blood tests over last year show active B12 in 180-200 range, but could my cells not be able to use it? My mother was diagnosed at 83 with PA and MGUS.

[fbirder]

180 to 200 is very, very high. I presume that must be due to supplements.

It is possible to have a functional deficiency, where there's lots of B12 in the blood, but not enough in the cells. You can check this with tests for methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. MMA and hCys are two chemicals used up in reactions mediated by B12. If there's not enough getting to the right places in the cells then the levels of one, or both, should be raised.

[Judithdalston in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for that birder. I do most of my blood tests thru Medichecks ( as take T3 privately from abroad), but thought I’d ask my Gp to test PA but wanted to know what tests and not just be fobbed off with a B12 serum test! My b12 has tended to be high without supplements, though I do take a B Complex weekly, but judging from my problems trying to maintain ferritin levels, and lesser extent folate and vit D, I do have typical Hashimoto’s absorption problems. My GPs doesn’t recognise this, so heaven knows if they will do other b12 tests!