Any test in the U.S.?

[Autumn11]

Hi I'm 36 and these are the symptoms I deal with.. anxiety, heart palpitations, heart pain (chest pain), shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, no appetite, short term memory loss, stomach pain, bladder problems, and some numbness in my toes. I've been admitted to a mental health clinic for 4 days back in 2011 for paranoia and anxiety. My mother has dementia and schizophrenia and is walking the streets right now. So that's a little more about me. I think there's something going on with my vitamin b..and has to do with Genetic issues or deficiency. I don't know..but wanting to start somewhere. I've done a vitamin b12 blood test and came back high, above 1,000. I live in the U.S, anyone know of any test in the U.S.? Thank you

[GGourmet]

I feel for you.

I’m not best placed on here to help but I feel that an active B12 test may be worth a visit but perhaps folate levels and free iron in the blood which looks at the availability of iron in your blood to create new red blood cells.

I recall, when I had that last test, that the numbers often have meaning only after multiple tests, as free iron is highly variable from one day to the next. I’m sure others here will provide more constructive assistance.

[Autumn11 in reply to GGourmet]

Thank you for replying, how would I get an active b12 test done. I don't think a lot of doctors know of that test

[GGourmet in reply to Autumn11]

The MMA test is the best approximation that I know.

[Autumn11 in reply to GGourmet]

Thank you, is a mma test and active b12 test the same thing?

[GGourmet in reply to Autumn11]

Might be best to contact Sleepybunny on here. He/she has a wealth of info covering this.

[Autumn11 in reply to GGourmet]

Okay I will, thank you

[Statesideheather]

You've been dealing with a lot! I hope things get better soon.

I am in th he US. My suggestion would be to see an osteopath or functional medicine practitioner of some sort. There are good naturopaths out there. Any should be able to order the tests you're interested in. These functional and holistic types are more likely to work with you and willing to run tests you're interested in. Of course, insurance may not cover this. If there is a teaching facility for natural medicine, they often have student clinics and laboratories that are offered at lower prices.

[Autumn11 in reply to Statesideheather]

Thank you, I'm a fighter I have 2 girls to fight for too. But its really hard not getting the correct diagnosis and treatment. I just don't feel normal anymore. Thank you for all the good advice.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Sorry to read you are having a hard time.

A few links that may be of interest

B12 websites

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has members in other countries.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no [phone] answerphone

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/

B12 Awareness (US website)

b12awareness.org/

Stichting B12 Tekort (Dutch website with English articles)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

B12 books I found useful

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (USA authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies. There is also a paediatric version of this book "Could It Be B12? Paediatric Edition: What Every Parent Needs to Know".

I am not medically trained.

[Autumn11 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Its ok, Thank you for all the useful links and books. Will look into everything..🙂

[CW12]

You can take a blood test for intrinsic factor antibodies. If you are positive for the antibodies you would have PA. However, 1,000 is a healthy b12 level so does not seem you are deficient. With PA your levels go down very low.

[CW12 in reply to CW12]

Reading the advice above and it is excellent. I was diagnosed through a holistic DR.

[Autumn11 in reply to CW12]

Yes, I'm probably will go that route..thank you. I don't understand what exactly is going on..but I'm not going to give up. What test did your holistic doctor test you for if you don't mind me asking?

[CW12 in reply to Autumn11]

Intrinsic factor antibodies and MTHFR mutations. I had both

[Autumn11 in reply to CW12]

Okay..thank you

[Gigi216]

Hello I live in the US also. You could be describing me with your symptoms, my b12 was 1600 on blood test and doctors told me I was taking too much and to stop. I stopped for a year and felt worse and worse so I ordered my own MMA test online, it was a urine test and it was very high so that meant I had a severe b12 deficiency. My vision was going it was dim and swirls and zigzags I thought I was going blind. I started taking lots of sublingual b12 and very slowly improved. It’s been a year of taking it and I still have weakness and dizziness and numbness but thank goodness the vision is so much better. I was so afraid I would lose it. So my story tells you that a blood test can be high and you can still be deficient. Good luck lots of great people here to help and give advice.

[Autumn11 in reply to Gigi216]

Thank you for telling your story, I'm sorry you had to go through that and glad to hear things got better and you didn't lose your vision. I'm going to start by ordering that test. Do you know where or what lab to order it from with a reasonable price?

[Gigi216 in reply to Autumn11]

I ordered mine from Life Extension website it was 50$ it’s called urine MMA

[Autumn11 in reply to Gigi216]

Okay thank you very much

[Ryaan]

Sorry to here you’re having to go through so much.

I would first get B12, Folate, Ferritin and Vitamin D blood test done and see what the levels are and if they’re low especially B12 then you’ve already had good advice answers by others for further B12 testing.

Wishing you best of health and hope you get to the bottom of it.

You’re on a good site to help you with any further advice or questions you may have.