Confused about results

[Kaceysimo]

During the pandemic last year I was de-diagnosed of pernicious anaemia, my levels were about 700ng/l (I had injected myself) I then didn’t have any injections and after 6 months was down to 300 ng/l. I have paid privately for an active b12 level test and the result was ‘Normal - 108 pmol/L’ does anyone know what this means? I’ve never seen it written like this so I don’t know what the levels actually are. Does this mean it’s gone down from 300 to 108?! And surely that’s not normal. Any help much appreciated

[fbirder]

No, it doesn't mean it's gone down.

B12 in the blood comes attached to two proteins - HC and TC. Only the TC-B12 can actually enter the cells; it's called 'Active' B12 (or holotranscobalamin). Normally the ratio of HC-B12 to TC-B12 is about 4:1.

The normal B12 test measures both TC-B12 and HC-B12. The 'Active' test measures only TC-B12. So you would expect the normal test to give results about 5 times higher than the 'Active' test.

The 'Active' test is supposed to be more accurate and more precise that the standard test. But it still suffers from the fact that there is a big overlap between 'people with low B12 and no deficiency' and 'people with normal B12 who are deficient'.

The other difference is the units used. ng/L measures the weight of B12 per litre of blood. pmol/L measures the number of molecules of B12 per litre of blood. 134 ng/L is roughly 100 pmol/L.

But blood levels don't matter. How do you feel?

[Kaceysimo in reply to fbirder]

Hi thanks for getting back to me. I’m starting to feel tired again, tingling in my hands is coming back, speech is a bit delayed trying to find my words but other than that I’m ok! I’m just going to start injecting myself again it’s just a shame I can’t get the right treatment from the doctors

[Nackapan in reply to Kaceysimo]

You should ar least be getting 2 -3:monthly injections from your doctor Put it in a letter to them

It would be good to be on your medical notes you need b12 injections.

They know this. They should be treating you

Good you have it so treatment not delayed

[wedgewood in reply to Kaceysimo]

I was forced into self-injecting also . Its just a scandal that this has to happen . fbirder has given an explanation as to what goes on with B12 . Why don’t the “ Powers that be” have this knowledge ? P.A. patients are suffering ill-health and worse because of this , if they don't have the knowledge and wherewithal to obtain and inject this cheap vitamin . It beggars belief .I am enraged , and don't know where to go with my rage . So glad that you can self-inject . Best wishes .