B12 blood test

[Sewingbee24]

My recent results are as follows B12 219

Range 280/640 I am told this is in range and to take a multivitamin. I have an under active thyroid and this is just one of my test results. Any thoughts?

[wedgewood]

You state that the B12 range is 280-640 . If that is so , then 219 is below range, not in range , and you need treatment .Also you need a reason for being below range . You doctor should be questioning you and finding the reason .

[Sewingbee24 in reply to wedgewood]

Sorry typo, the range is 180/640 so in range, any more ideas? Many thanks

[Nackapan]

It's worth trying oral b12 to see if it gets your levels up a bit .

Is your diet rich in b12 ?

Was your folate ferrjtin/iron vit d okay?

If your level 214 and bottom of range 180

You are 'in range but maybe might feel the benefit of increasing your level.

Is this your first b12 check?

Anything to compare it to?

Then get it repeated in 3-4 months logging yiur symltons and see if its gone up.

Thats what I woukd do .

[Sewingbee24 in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks for replying this is my first B12 test. My ferritin was 71 ug/l range 28-200Folate 3.7 range 3.0-20.0. What oral B12 would you recommend?

[Nackapan in reply to Sewingbee24]

I would just get it ftom a supermarket pharmacy The pharmacists are helpful.

Or online .

Cynocobalamin is a good start as cheap and widely available.

I bought expensive methylcobalamin which if absorbed gives some problems in high doses for some.

A waste of money in my case as didnt absorb it.

B12 is b12 at the end of the day.

Gps usually advocate 2 to 50mg b12 tablets daily

A mutuvit contains about 2.5mg as 100% rda

Depends on how well you absorb or its slowed down ??

Only a trial will tell.

Is your diet b12 rich?

Your folate is low too

Perhais thats why your doctor suggested a mlt vit

Do you eat folate rich foods?

Greens ,chick peas ,sm foods fortified

If your diet is good and plentiful you shoukd get enough unless absorbtion has slowed down.

I always wonder why doctors don't ask what you eat. ?

Low B12 ids always treated before folate.

As yours low but in range yiu shoukd be okay to have both.

200- 400 mcg foic daily dhoukd be enough.

All only suggestions for you to ponder.

Do get a follow up blood test to see levels after 3-4 months.

Your ferritin is at a good level.

Obviously if symptoms (you've not mentioned) persist get back to your G.p

[Ninagreen in reply to Nackapan]

I made the mistake of taking supplements. Now I can't find a doctor to listen to me. Supplements give a false reading. I finally found a nurse practioner who knew that once you are on supplements the B12 test is inaccurate.

[Nackapan in reply to Ninagreen]

Supplements will just make the reading accurate at that time.

You just won't know your baseline before taking anything.

I've read that reply before .

Had to think about it myself

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I wrote a very detailed reply in the thread above yours. There might be some useful info in it.