b12 blood test

[ninja1]

what should I take docs not doing anything

[Technoid]

"Current literature recommends measuring MMA and/or homocysteine (HC) whenever vitamin B12 is below 200 or 300 pmol/l."

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

Do you have symptoms such as those listed here:

b12-institute.nl/en/symptom...

[ninja1 in reply to Technoid]

Yes lots of them

[Technoid in reply to ninja1]

I noticed from previous postings that you have had B12 injections in the past. Do you currently supplement B12 and if so, at what dosage/frequency?

Note that, as I mentioned below, supplementation should be avoided until MMA + Homocysteine tested.

[ninja1 in reply to Technoid]

No not had them for 3 years doc says didn’t need as not anaemic

[Technoid in reply to ninja1]

Severe B12 deficiency often presents without anemia. Point 1 on this page : b12-institute.nl/en/diagnos...

I hope the doctor is not referring to iron deficiency anemia which is unrelated. It looks like you have had recurrent problems with borderline low B12 so you need a solution which maintains adequate B12 status for you, treats symptoms and diagnoses any absorption issues etc.

If you have PA or similar absorption issues you will most likely need injections, otherwise high dosage tablets may work but that depends on the severity of the deficiency. As mentioned, would advise testing MMA and Homocysteine and avoid taking any B12 prior to them being tested to avoid skewing results.

[ninja1 in reply to Technoid]

Thank you I took 1 b12 and 1 folic acid before I was advised but no more

[Littlelodge123]

You should take nothing. It is your GP’s job to treat you based in your symptoms and your results. From both of these there is a clear issue. You should be tested for intrinsic factor antibodies (even though the test gives false negatives 60% of the time if it is positive then you have PA and they have to treat you with injections).

Having anaemia is not relevant and you need to tell your GP that - which is very worrying as they should know this. The anaemia referred to in Pernicious Anaemia is a lack of B12 and from what I can see from your results you are indeed anaemic as far as PA is concerned. You need to insist they treat you with injections. Tell them if they don’t that you will report them to the Director of Public Health. If you can’t do that face to face then email them and copy in your practice manager. Be polite but firm. You are not asking for anything to which you are not entitled.