Have some suspicion that I might have a B12 problem. The symptoms are feeling tired/falling asleep in the afternoon (8 hours sleep per night), tingling, brain fog. I asked my gp for a test as it does run in our family, but he refused as one was done a few years ago and he claimed it was normal!!! I paid and had a private test done but the provider again said the results were normal. Fair enough, maybe my hunch was wrong, however looking around on here, the ranges for "normal" levels seem inconsistent. These were the results:
Ferritin: 47.5ug/L
Iron: 20.76umol/L
Folate: 8.54ug/L
B12 (active): 149pmol/L (described as normal)
Vitamin D: 27.7pmol/L (described as low)
The test did check a number of other things, but I'm not sure how relevant they are. My question would be, what are "normal" B12 levels? Some sources seem to indicate a lower level of 115, others around 150, some go to 200 or even 500.
Confused. Are these levels within range or not?
Written by
Uneasy10
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I know from personal experience that it is possible to have severe B12 deficiency with normal range serum B12.
I wrote a detailed reply on another forum thread with links to B12 deficiency symptoms lists, B12 books, B12 websites, UK B12 documents and other B12 info which might be of interest.
The test you have had done is active B12 - this only measures that proportion of your B12 in your blood that is bound to a particular protein that makes it possible for it to move into your cells. This usually accounts for about 20% of the B12 in your blood. As a result the normal range for this test runs from about 35-150, meaning that your levels are actually at the top end of the normal range not at the lower range, meaning that it is extremely unlikely that B12 is the issue.
The symptoms you describe are also associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Mines was 153pmol/L. I paid for private test as had symptoms and they wrote and told me I was deficient and to see a doctor.. It took me harassing twice for the doctor to even check it again as they said it was fine, thankfully he did and it was even lower and now on injections every 12 weeks.. If u have symptoms I would keep at the doctor coz nerve damage can't be fixed
Good levels of VitD are suggested during this current virus outbreak too ... immune support. I take 5000 IU's daily along with important co-factors - magnesium and VitK2-MK7
Has a Full Iron Profile been done ? Ferritin is iron stored as a protein - so serum iron needs testing when Ferritin is low.
Writing with my Thyroid UK hat on - I would suggest a Ferritin level of around mid-range. VitD around 100 . Are you taking any supplements ?
Your FT4 looks good but with the Low Ferritin it is possible it will not be converting into the Active hormone T3 ands the cause of many symptoms if low in range. The T4 is inactive. Also good to test anti-bodies TPO & Tg to rule out Hashimotos. The NHS rarely test both.
It looks from what people are saying like the confusion is between total B12 and active B12. Vitamin D is low - have been advised to supplement. Not sure what to make about the ferritin level however. Thank you.
Your Active B12 is fine. Supplementing VitD is based on your result - and I would suggest 5000 IU's accompanied by the important co-factors Magnesium and VitK2-MK7 Important to test VitD again after a few months as you may need to reduce the dose.
After starting B12 injections for B12 deficiency, GP believed some of my remaining symptoms were more likely to be attributable to ferritin and/or folate, both of which were low but within range.
She said that symptoms can present if ferritin is below 60 ug/L .
The particular symptoms she was concerned with were bleeding gums, hair falling out.
Later, an oral medicine consultant who was dealing specifically with my angular cheilitis * (sore, split and bleeding corners of mouth) said he'd prefer it to be at around 80 ug/L.
This needs regular monitoring: both because levels raised by supplementing can drop back down once supplements stop, and because too high a level can also cause problems.
Not for me ! - I never managed to reach 80 ug/L , hard as I tried, but very much better at around 60 ug/L. Even getting to this level and staying there took a long time. Was quite up and down for 2 years. Oral medicine consultant said I've probably reached my natural level now.
So yes, your ferritin could be low enough to cause some symptoms, and raising this level could give you improvements. Always better if you can do this through diet changes, but if like me you can't, don't over-supplement and do get levels checked. Be patient too.
Marz 's level of 70 ug/L sounds like a good target being bang in the middle of the advice from my two professionals.
* Angular cheilitis: A tip from the consultant that hopefully might help someone else : I have seen improvements here simply by using nipple cream. It really works !
I threw all my lip salves away - (reinfecting, as ideal breeding ground) - and applied a small amount from the tube after washing hands. To avoid reinfection, don't go back for a second swipe after touching lips. You won't need it anyway- this cream is very thick. I apply it once in the morning and once at night. Can collect in the corners of your mouth and make you look a bit rabid; check for that.
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