Am I B12 deficient?

[ACB1974]

Hello everyone. This is my first post as I stumbled across this site whilst researching B12 info and I must say its been very interesting reading all the posts.

I've been experiencing neurological symptoms for a while now. First started with a twitching finger 3 years ago then the last few months more twitches have appeared pretty much anywhere in my body. GP has put it down to anxiety and stress but recently I saw a neurologist who ruled out anything sinister with a physical examination and clinical history but wanted bloods taken to check thyroid, B12 and muscle weakness. All results have come back as normal. I specifically asked for the B12 number and it came back as 293 (thyroid was 1.15). I'm reading conflicting info whether this is borderline or not, but I know if I contact my GP they will just say its normal and my symptoms are anxiety related. Neuro symptoms are my main ones, but I do get muscle aches for no apparent reason and whilst I do get tired I tend to put that down to poor sleeping and my son getting me up very early and I wouldn't say its a fatigue as such because I can push on through it.

Just wondering if anyone else has been classed as deficient with a B12 number similar to mine and/or if anyone has any advice ? I was thinking I could just go and starting taking a B12 supplement myself on top of already taking Vitamin D and Magnesium.

[fbirder]

Your symptoms don't really sound consistent with a B12 deficiency. That tends to affect sensory nerves (resulting in numbness and tingling) rather than motor nerves.

Whether your B12 level is borderline or not depends on the range. Every lab has a different normal range. I don't think 293 would be close to the bottom for most. Ask for the result including units and range. It should be something like 298 pmol/L (115-150 pmol/L).

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Please note supplementing isn't recommended if you want to get a diagnosis of a B12 absorption problem.

see this article from the pinned posts to this forum

b12-institute.nl/caution-no...

Interpreting serum B12 is very difficult. The BCSH standards state that precedence should be given to symptoms over test results in deciding treatment. The last published standards can be found here

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

What advice has the neuro that you saw given?

[CBD123]

Hi ACB1974,

I have experienced muscle/joint pain and also twitching, my B12 was 193 pg/ml (range 197- 800) before I started supplementing.

I have also read about other people Having these symptoms with B12 Deficiency.

[Natural1970]

I have just finished a course of b12 injections now taking folic tablets. My symptoms where tirdeness and very weak legs. I had bloods taken for a kidney related virus and that is how they picked up the issue. i dont know the readings, but the kidney specialist said there was a abnormal reading in my folate. You should check with the GP about mixing supplements. i have been on folic tablets for 5 days and finished B12 Injections x6 over 2 weeks. To be fair, i dont really see a difference in how i feel, but a little bit too early to tell. I have altered my diet to help my b12 vitamin daily intake anddalso by eating correct foods i have been trying to boost my folic acid build up. I did not realise that folic acid does not store in the body for very long. So, along with my 5mg tablet daily i eat greens and fruit and taken to drinking un-sweetened Almond milk. Just try not to mix vitamin supplements without seeing GP first. For instance i wouldnt be sure about a Magnesium supplement alongside anything else with out asking for proper advice.