Hi!
I’m hoping someone can help interpreting some recent results. I had bloods done at my GP and also private with Blue Horizon as my GP insists I am fine. My symptoms are extreme fatigue, weight gain, depression, insomnia.
I have added my blue horizon test results which I shared with my GP and they still said I was fine. Any advice?
Thanks xx
Your B12 is in the normal range, albeit at the lower end. However, your folate is below the normal range and so this would be my first thought for your feelings of extreme fatigue.
Folate is generally found in green vegetables (see sources if you google ‘folate containing food’). You could also try a supplement, either a daily multi vitamin containing 400mcg of folate/folic acid or just a 400mcg folate/folic acid supplement.
Extreme fatigue could certainly lead to feelings of depression which can in turn lead to insomnia and maybe poor food choices.
I’m no expert though so maybe others will have a view which may help.
I wish you well and hope you find answers.
In your other post on Thyroid site you added
NHS result
B12 177ng/L (145-910)
This is very low
Your B12 looks OK, but that doesn't rule out a deficiency (although it's unlikely). Your folate is low and could produce your symptoms.
I would take 50 mcg of B12 a day, plus 400 mcg of folic acid for a month or three amd see what happens.
Your B12 level now seems okay. Have you been supplementing or been given injections since ? Improving B12 content in diet ?
If your B12 was 177 ng/L at some point as SlowDragon pointed out, (despite being considered within range: 145-910 ng/L) - this was certainly low enough to have given you symptoms.
At 196 ng/L, I could barely stand up straight. Luckily for me, my local range started at 197 ng/L so I was treated. My folate was 5.5 at the time and ferritin in 40s.
I would ask GP - if this original B12 reading was initiated by her/him and on your records - why it was this low previously.
Your folate level is clearly below where it needs to be . Symptoms can include fatigue and gastrointestinal problems, similar to some B12 deficiency symptoms.
Also find it very strange that, if B12 is over 569 ng/L, the advice given is to "consider reducing dose" when the top of the range here is 910 ng/L ! Why the overconcern at top end ?
Hi
I think the type of measurement is different between the NHS and Blue Horizon test.
NHS 177 (145-910)ngl
BH 315 pmol ?
I have not supplemented or changed anything. My symptoms actually seem worst if anything
Xx
Different units of measurement and different labs testing using different machines. Shows the importance of stating the normal range provided by the lab as a straight comparison of the results would be meaningless.
1 pmol/L is equal to 1.355 ng/L, which makes the difference between the two results, using a like unit of measurement, even wider than it appeared.
The Blue Horizon level of 315 pmol/L seems to be a healthy one.
Either unit of measurement can be used for serum B12 test results.
I do not know whether I'm right in assuming that the lower level (NHS) came first, and what time elapsed between that and the second test.
The symptoms you have described could be due to one (or more) of a few conditions. One thing is clear - folate could be improved. This has been highlighted on your results. Even if your GP does not want to prescribe for this, it is quite important that supplementing is monitored to ensure that it is sufficient and effective in raising your folate level, and that you do not raise it too high by over-supplementing.
It took me a couple of years to get my folate to a healthy level and be able to maintain it.
I now just take a daily general multivitamin and mineral tablet.
This may seem leftfield, but have you been assessed for a sleep disorder? I had similar symptoms plus B12, folate and D3 deficiency, but also had untreated sleep apnea. I had to push quite hard to get sleep test (done at home), was still left untreated for years. Now have a CPAP machine and feel much different. Frequent trips to the loo at night is also a sign. If you snore try recording this on your phone. Just a thought.
No I hadn’t thought of that to be honest. I have awful problems sleeping but assumed it was due to my other symptoms. X
Looks like your b12 is borderline 200-300 is considered ok ish and low folate you could increase you b12 intake within you diet my adding in ...
Fish
Red meat
Liver
Clams
Milk
Cheese
Eggs
I am sure your doctor would have suggested this is he felt the results warranted it I hope you find some relief from your symptoms. But go back if you feel unsatisfied with your results we know our own bodies and should trust instincts
Thank you for your support and comments x
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