Accurate reading of B12 levels?

[Themaid]

How long do I need to go without B12 injections to get an accurate reading of my B12 levels?

[fbirder]

At least three months.

[Themaid in reply to fbirder]

Thanks, fbirder! That’s what I thought. I can’t seem to get that through to my Hematologist. So frustrating! And I can’t seem to find any documents about this on the P.A. Society website. As always, doctors prefer textbook info over real life info. Augh!!!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

at least 3 months - some of the studies on how long it took serum B12 levels to drop after injections showed some patients taking 4 years for levels to fall. Levels in some patients fall much quicker.

Best practice is to not retest serum B12 levels once treatment has started unless there is a reason to think that treatment has not been followed (not really relevant if you have regular injections. Its easier to go by symptoms in determining the frequency of treatment than it is to use serum B12.

[Themaid in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62! I needed that! Talking to my doctors is like talking to a wall.