Blood Test Intrigue

[LJH50]

My Drs want to do bloods to investigate why I pass out for 5 mins & have trouble walking or talking for approx 15 mins afterward. ECG normal so bloods are next. They will be testing for quite a few things inc b12. This hopefully will give me a guide to whether my current regime of SI once weekly b12 is sufficient since 6 Loading, 2 week break, another 6 loading followed by twice weekly until Aug then once weekly. All PA symtoms have gone but now something else to work out. Think it could be low blood sugar levels but the opportunity to see my b12 levels is a good thing & seeing IFA too.

[Sleepybunny]

Just wondered if GPs had checked your potassium levels.

Some people can experience a drop in potassium levels (hypokalaemia) after starting B12 treatment.

I am not medically trained.

[LJH50 in reply to Sleepybunny]

Blood test is tomorrow, not sure if potassium is included. Very intrigued to see what my B12 will be & whether once weekly SI is sufficient/too little/to much?

[charks in reply to LJH50]

I discovered I had B12D when I passed out for over 30 minutes and also couldn't walk or talk fora considerable amount of time afterwards. A&E could find nothing wrong with me. All was resolved after taking B12. Them my GP told me my levels were too high and to stop taking it. Less than 2 weeks later I had a repeat passing out and the other symptoms. Luckily it only lasted 5 minutes. I think you are not having enough B12.

[LJH50 in reply to charks]

Will have to wait & see what the bloods are. All my other symptoms have gone since having b12 inj regularly. I've now got a blood glucose monitor & am waiting for my long term blood glucose (average past 3 months) results which I paid for privately due to the national blood sample pot shortage altho my Drs have said its urgent and they will test that also tomorrow.

[LJH50 in reply to LJH50]

Results are back.

B12. >1500 (was 11 in Feb)

Folate 12.4 (was 6.1 in Feb)

Long Term blood glucose level 5.4 normal range.

So what do I do now? SI once a fortnight rather than once a week and see how I feel?

Suggestions very welcome.

[charks]

I also had high blood sugar. But I had brought my blood sugar levels back to normal before I had my second faint passing out. So I don't think blood sugar would have caused your fainting fit.

[LJH50 in reply to charks]

It will be low blood sugar if anything not high as its classic hypo not hyperglycemic symtoms. I have a very strict low carb diet, exercise freak, lean and minimal sugar intake

[charks]

I am exactly the same as you now.

[Budsa]

Be aware that your doctor might suggest that you need to reduce your B12 supplementation because your B12 serum level will be high. Worth mentioning that this is what should be expected at your appointment in order to head him/her off.

[LJH50 in reply to Budsa]

I'm going to be honest and tell them I have b12 injections outside the surgery as my symtoms were still there after 12 loaders. My Dr is very approachable so hopefully it will be understood. If my b12 levels are very high should I SI less frequently? What is considered too high?

[Sleepybunny in reply to Budsa]

B12 article from Mayo Clinic in US

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Table 1 in above article is about frequent misconceptions about B12 deficiency that health professionals may have.

Misconceptions about a B12 deficiency

(From Dutch B12 website)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

Treatment with high dose vitamin B12 been shown to be safe for more than 50 years

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

Very high levels of hydroxocobalamin ( a type of B12) are used in treatment of cyanide poisoning, thousands of times the strength of what is in a hydroxycobalamin injection in UK.

BNF Hydroxocobalamin (UK link)

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/hydrox...

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring and an online contact form.

B12 Deficiency Info website

b12deficiency.info/