confused

For the past year I've been trying to find a diagnosis for my extreme fatigue. Can I please ask the community for some advice? My Active Vitamin B12 result (private test) is 61.000pmol/L. The lab says that's within the range of 37.5-188, does this sound about right or could 61 still give me symptoms?My ferritin is 85.9 ug/L and my folate serum is 19.98 ug/L - both within normal ranges I am told.

[EllieMayNot]

My serum B12 was right in the middle of "normal" but I was getting increasingly ill for many years with severe neurological symptoms. Finally found a smart doctor who tested my MMA (Methylmalonic Acid) and Homocysteine levels which came back as high and a positive test for Parietal Cell antibodies confirmed PA. MMA is going to be your best indicator of whether you have adequate B12 on a cellular level.

[Hidden in reply to EllieMayNot]

that's interesting - thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

did you have a urine or a serum test for methylmalonic acid?

[EllieMayNot in reply to Hidden]

They can do either. From what I've read, urine is more accurate but I am no expert. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable on the forum can give a more solid answer. Hope you get the answers you need and the remedy to your fatigue.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

its not impossible that you have problems with B12.

In diagnosing a B12 absorption problem falling levels of B12 are really the thing to look for but neither serum B12 or active B12 as a single measure will really tell you what is going on. Tests that could help clarify are homocysteine and MMA.

[Hidden in reply to Gambit62]

thank you

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Can I please ask another question? Is there a link between Vitamin B12 problems and low white blood cell counts? The only thing my GP has picked-up is lower than normal white blood cells, which they're testing for the third time next week.

[jacrjacr]

make sure you have vitamin d3 test and results are optimal to help fight infections, sickness, etc...