Haven't got a clue what this means

[Pippa76]

This is my test results is this really low x

[Gambit62 Administrator]

the test is serum B12 and your result is abnormally low.

It looks like the result is an average of several tests

I presume this test was before you started treatment and you have since had loading shots.

[Pippa76 in reply to Gambit62]

Yes I have just had my first loading shot yesterday x

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Pippa76]

That's taken a long time to get to the loading shots.

Did you have any neurological symptoms eg balance problems or tingling in hands and feet?

If you did (and you are in the UK) then you should be on loading shots until symptoms stop improving (3 x weekly) and then onto 2 monthly maintenance doses.

Suggest you note down all of your symptoms and monitor them in relation to the injections just in case the frequency of maintenance doses doesn't suit you.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Pippa76 in reply to Gambit62]

Yes I know I got results but didn't go back go doctors straight away as I went away then I was really I'll with shingle's.

Yes with experience of fatigue and pins neddles in my hands and arms anxiety which I've never had before also change in my eye sight and recurrent mouth ulcers...I could go on I just put it all down to getting older or just being hypochondriac. Yes I'm in uk also I'm only having injections once a week I still have 5 to go also low in folate I am not vegan or vegetarian.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Pippa76]

if you want to refer GP to the UK standards then they can be found here

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[Sleepybunny]

Hi Pippa76,

I wrote a very detailed reply on another forum thread with lots of links to b12 websites, b12 books, UK B12 documents and other b12 info.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

I'm sure you'll find something useful in it.

Apologies for not writing more.

[Pippa76 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Thank you so much x

[Sleepybunny in reply to Pippa76]

" Yes I'm in uk also I'm only having injections once a week I still have 5 to go "

1) UK recommended treatment pattern for B12 deficiency without neuro symptoms is ...

6 B12 loading jabs over 2 weeks followed by a jab every 2 or 3 months

2) UK recommended treatment pattern for B12 deficiency WITH neuro symptoms is ...

A B12 loading jab every other day for as long as symptoms continue to get better then a jab every 2 months

Pins and needles in hands would usually be considered to be a neurological symptom.

You appear to have been put on the first treatment pattern when my understanding (I'm not medically trained) is that you should be on second pattern as you appear to have neurological symptoms.

Other neuro symptoms associated with b12 deficiency include ......

tingling, numbness, pins and needles, burning sensations, insect crawling sensation, tinnitus, muscle twitches, muscle fasciculations, flickering eyelids, restless legs syndrome RLS, vertigo, clumsiness, dropping things, bumping into things, strange gait (unusual way of walking), word finding problems, balance issues, brainfog, proprioception problems (problems with awareness of body in space)

Does your GP have a list of all your symptoms, especially any neurological ones?

Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

b12d.org/admin/healthcheck/...

In relation to B12 deficiency, GPs often look for signs of peripheral neuropathy PN especially signs of sensory neuropathy so worth mentioning signs of PN.

Link about PN

nhs.uk/conditions/periphera...

Link about writing letter to GP if under treated for B12 deficiency with neuro symptoms

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

Vital to get adequate treatment or there may be a risk of neurological damage.

Neurological Consequences of B12 Deficiency

PAS news item

pernicious-anaemia-society....

BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

b-s-h.org.uk/guidelines/gui...

Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

Flowchart outlines process for diagnosing PA and Antibody Negative PA in UK

BNF

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

BNF guidance on treating b12 deficiency changed recently.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Have you been tested for PA and Coeliac disease?

There are other causes of B12 deficiency besides PA and Coeliac.

If you have a PA diagnosis or suspect PA then worth joining and talking to PAS.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS tel no 01656 769717 answerphone

PAS support groups in UK

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Blog post about how PAS can support PAS members seeking PA diagnosis

martynhooper.com/2017/06/24...

NICE guidelines Coeliac Disease

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Best advice I ever got was to always get copies of blood test results. Most UK GP surgeries have online access to medical records. See GP surgery website for details.