What do hubbys blood test results mean?

[timmysmom]

Hubby has just got a print out of his blood test results for last 5 years. His B12 has only been tested once, despite having B12 deficiency and 12 weekly B12 injections for about 9 years.

His test result is from July last year and was

"Serum vit b12- Normal 666 ng/L 150.00-900.00ng/L

"Serum folate - a little low 2.8 ug/L >3.00ug/L"

But his symptoms are a lot of fatigue and memory loss. We live in North East Wales.

He is now si 3 times a week and taking folate and other supplements but has felt a lot worst since starting si 7 weeks ago.

Thanks in advance.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

The B12 level was good - so unlikely B12 was the problem

Folate was on the low side.

Symptoms of folate deficiency are pretty similar to those of B12 deficiency (because the two are used in a lot of the same processes that go on in your cells and sometimes in the same steps of those processes). The main difference is that folate isn't stored in the body so symptoms develop quite quickly.

Best sources of folate are from food but if your husbands diet contained plenty of folate sources (eg fresh fruit and veg) then it may be that he has a folate absorption problem, which would also increase the chance of having a B12 absorption problem.

Serum B12 is a difficult test to interpret as people tend to maintain B12 at a point that is specific to them so seeing levels dropping significantly between two tests (difference more than 20%) or a downward trend over time is a good way of seeing if there is a B12 absorption problem. Unfortunately the SI means that retesting B12 at this point is going to be meaningless.

Did your husbands GP make any suggestions in relation to the folate result when the blood test was done?

[timmysmom in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62, hubby can't remember gp suggesting taking folate supplement but after reading posts on here I've put him on it, along with other supplements recommended on here.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to timmysmom]

people vary a lot in relation to how a B12 absorption problem affects other vitamins and minerals. Sounds as if your husband is having problems with folate now - if supplementing then would be good to mention it to the GP next time he has an appointment so they are aware.

As Emmapemma says - B12 levels aren't monitored after treatment starts - I missed the fact that his injections had started 9 years ago - which would mean that the results would be meaningless.

[timmysmom in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit62

[Emmapemma]

If he was on b12 injections already they do not tend to check your levels anymore as it will normally be through the roof. Your husband's was still within normal levels which is probably meaning he didn't have it often enough. And if he still had memory problems and tiredness he clearly needed more.

If he's feeling poorly now with the increased rate it may be because nerv damage is healing and everyone says you feel worse before you feel better. Hope it gets better soon

[timmysmom in reply to Emmapemma]

Thanks Emmapemma.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Just wondered if his potassium levels have been checked?

Sometimes when treatment starts , patients can experience a drop in potassium levels (hypokalaemia). I realise that he has been on treatment for years but he has recently started SI frequently.

Forum members often try to eat potassium rich foods eg bananas.

Personally I do not think it is safe to take potassium supplements unless they are prescribed by a doctor. Excess potassium can cause issues in the body.

I don't know if his GP is aware that he self injects but would warn you that some GPs do not react well to finding out a patient is self treating.

Links about potassium

nhs.uk/conditions/potassium...

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

patient.info/digestive-heal...

If you suspect low potassium might be an issue, I hope his GP will listen to you both.

I am not medically trained.

[timmysmom in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thanks Sleepybunny. He hasn't told his go that he self injects, not sure how she would react. He is eating a banana every day for potassium.

[fbirder in reply to timmysmom]

You only need potassium supplements if you had macrocytic anaemia which is now being treated. And then only for a few months. But a folate deficiency can cause macrocytic anaemia, so folate-rich foods might be a good idea during the first months of folate supplements.

[timmysmom in reply to fbirder]

Thanks fbirder. I will look up macrocytic. Hubby is taking folate supplements but I'll also find out what foods folate is in.