Vitamin B12 test result 35.1

[Allie72]

Hello

I had some private blood tests done by medichecks as I have no energy and suffering short term memory loss which is becoming embarrassing at work. I wanted to rule out any physical causes. Since the results I remembered my maternal grandparents and an aunt and uncle all had pernicious anaemia and am worried I have this too.

My results were low vb12 and vitamin d but I can’t interpret the reference range, it’s not one used in the gp practice I work in.

The normal range was 37.2-188 pmol/l and my result was 35.1.

Can anyone help to convert this result?

I’ve made a gp appointment to discuss but I’m frightened of not been taken seriously. Thanks

[helvella]

That would appear to be an Active B12 test.

I think the advice is that if your result is that low, you should have a Methylmalonic acid (MMA) test and homocysteine.

[Allie72 in reply to helvella]

Thanks for replying helvella hopefully the right tests will rule out or confirm . I feel so tired and fuzzy and the tinnitus seems to have got worse there’s part of me that feels like I can’t be bothered to go but that’s how I feel about pretty much everything these days. I can’t even stick to an exercise program and I used to love keeping fit. I did think about having the MMA and intrinsic factor test privately but worried my practice won’t accept the results

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Allie, you really need to discuss your results with your GP - on the face of it the B12 is very low. Assuming that you aren't vegan/eat very little meat/dairy/fish/egg then the most likely cause of the low B12 is that you have PA (an auto-immune condition of the dutch that specifically attacks the mechanism by which you absorb B12.

I would also recommend that you make a list of symptoms - you can find a list here

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Your GP may wish to repeat the tests though they would be looking at serum B12 rather than active B12 - along with a full blood count to test for macrocytic anaemia (though 20% of patients who are B12 deficient don't have any anaemia), and possibly IFA (though this test produces false negatives 40-60% of the time so a negative would be a long way from proving that you don't have PA but a positive is strong confirmation.

You should be put on B12 loading doses - there are slightly different regimes depending on whether you have neurological involvement (3x weekly until symptoms stop improving review at 3 weeks) or not (3xweekly for 2 weeks). This should be followed by maintenance doses every 2 months (neurological symptoms) or every 2-3 months (non-neurological symptoms).

[Allie72 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you Gambit and Helvella,

I have looked at my test result again and you are both right it was an active VB12 test. It's very difficult to get an appointment with a GP at my practice I was told it would be into the middle of August so taken slot with nurse practitioner on Thursday. I will make a list of symptoms as my memory is so bad I will probably forget at the appointment.

I don't eat much meat but do have dairy and eggs and follow a healthy diet. I am nervous of the results. It would be a relief for there to be a reason for how I've been feeling for so long, I don't feel like me anymore. I have trouble concentrating on reading, no energy to exercise or do anything really, I have to set myself 10 minute goals to try and complete tasks in the house, waking up tired all the time. I'm really hoping it can be solved soon.

[Allie72 in reply to Allie72]

Just an update I had my serum vb12 retaken at my gp practice yesterday and the result was 437.

I really don’t know what to think now I just feel terrible most of the time. I was hoping the result would give me a reason for the fatigue, forgetfulness and poor concentration, now I just feel worse like I’m a hypochondriac. I’m off my work because I broke down in tears on Wednesday and can’t cope.

Should I get the MMA and intrinsic factor test privately for my own peace of mind. I started using a vb12 spray yesterday would this affect the results?