I wrote some time ago about a borderline low B12 test and had some very helpful feedback from this group.
It was agreed that the best course of action would be to have MMA tested and I have managed to convince my doctor to do this, Levels were "normal" - 0.09 (range is 0 - 0.29).
I also had homocysteine levels tested which came back at 6.9 (range 3.7 - 13.9). As well as a Liver Autoantibody Profile which all came back negative.
This seems to confirm that I don't have Pernicious Anaemia like my Mum and Grandfather but still doesn't explain why my B12 levels are borderline (311 ng/L) and my folate is elevated (20.5 ug/L)
The only think I can think of is that my IBS is preventing me from absorbing minerals properly, as I have had zinc tested before as well and this also came in low.
Of course, the NHS will not treat the B12 deficiency and I feel like I have done all due diligence. Am I right in saying the best next step will be to seek private treatment or self-treat?
Written by
Jwal90
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Do you mean going Private to get B12 Injections or going private for advice ?Going private is no guarantee you will get better results, as most people here will tell you B12 is so misunderstood by the medical profession (NHS or Private).
The only thing I can say with confidence, is that I have had nearly 100 injections in 18 Months and near on back to normal.
Sorry, probably should have clarified, I meant going private for injections. There is a company that come to your house to do injections and I will eventually do these myself if I feel any benefit.
That's a lot of injections! Have you felt improvement in your symptoms?
If you can imagine sitting in a chair all day not being able to do anything other than having pain medication, (existing) to be able to have a NORMAL life.
Please dont think I am being rude when I say the choice is yours, the only advise (not being medically trained) I can give you is
1. Make sure the people coming to you home have experience .... ie not charlatans out to make money, but with medical knowledge just in case of adverse reactions.
2. I also recommended having a banana as in the first few weeks can affect other vitamins and minerals.
3. I dont know if you have tried B12 tablets or Lozengers, they work for some people. Do you eat meat etc ? If you are vegan for example
Glad to hear it's really helping you. It's odd as my fatigue is intermittent but it's frustrating because I'll have lots of energy occasionally and make grand plans then the following day I could sleep standing up and can't get anything done. In particularly affects my job as I work in sales.
I will take your advice on the fruit, thank you.
I have tried other methods of B12 but don't feel like they made a huge difference. Even paid for a methylated drop type but didn't notice any significant improvements.
Oh, I'm just imagining all this. It worked so perfectly with you being calm and persistent. The power plays of the nurse are so weirdly inappropriate, but you still got your goals. Thank you so much for explaining because it just may help when I meet those situations.
If it takes long enough to have all else eliminated, yes, they can then call it part of the ageing process: achloridria (tick), raised MMA (tick), aching joints (tick)....
Flu jab ? I don't believe I've ever had one, Hidden . Sure it was me ?Back pain, yes. Funny - I have just replied to someone who answered a 6-yr old post of mine about back pain/bursitis.
Yes - I mentioned flu jabs as a possible reason why I was getting 2 B12 injections a week from nurses and not the 3 B12 injections a week that my GP asked for !I meant that they were probably tied up what with all the flu jabs.
It 's also why, when I did start self injecting, I decided to start with every other day injections. At two NHS injections a week, I was seeing noticeable improvements and so was my GP, but I started to get worse again after six months. Disappointingly, it didn't last. It was always the intention that, once no more improvement could be gained, my maintenance dose would be 1 injection a month. I wasn't expecting that deterioration would be the catalyst though. Nothing there that I wanted to maintain.
At this stage, it is understandable that my GP would want the intervention of secondary care. In this case, haematologists. One of whom was convinced that B12 is highly addictive. Deary me, appointment wasn't going quite as intended !
So no - no flu jabs for me. Hope you still liked my old post though !
UK guidance on B12 deficiency suggests that people who are symptomatic for B12 deficiency should be treated even if serum (total) B12 is within normal range.
Symptoms of B12 Deficiency (folate deficiency also mentioned)
Links to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 deficiency info eg causes and symptoms, UK B12 documents, B12 books, B12 websites and B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.
Some links may have details that could be upsetting.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Frustrated
Frustrated..
The NHS is a monopoly.
So frustrated I could cry
Feeling Worried and Frustrated
