Hi,
My bloods come back low on B12 and Folate again this has been the case every time for 7 years. I suffer with severe dizziness and numbness, brain fog and extreme fatigue.
Can someone advise on my results though as I can’t seem to find anything, my results are below -
B12 - 201 ng/L
Folate - 2.9 ug/L
are these very low? Or borderline? And does anyone know a cause? It’s definitely not diet. I eat very well, red and white meats and plenty of fruit and veg.
Thank you.
Hi there Mumof3z,
Are these NHS results? Do they have a range?
A range is needed to see if low.
Also if you have any other results such as Vit D and Ferritin, that helps people interpret too.
I'm sure someone more than knowledgeable than me will help you, but I know they will ask for further results details, so I thought I'd get you started!
Best wishes and Welcome.
It's good you've been tested. Also you've got 7 yrsts of results yo compare .
We all do operate at different levels.
I will never know what level I did operate on b12 wise..
First one ever I was 57!
Like suggested was ferritin ect tested.
Your symptoms should be taken seriously .
Good to have everything g checked.
Some good links on here to read through.
Sleepybunny
The Gp obviously watching your bloods which won't tell you everything .
Keep a log of your symptoms .
Keep going back to Gp.
Some have b12 deficiency and results are in range .
Are you on any medication that coukd deplete b12.
If you get treatment b12 shoukd be before folate
hello Mumof3z, suggest you look at my first post re. B12 deficiency P.A. responses. Very helpfu informative links.
Welcome to the forum.
Apologies for the short reply and any abruptness as about to go out.
What to do next if B12 deficiency suspected or recently diagnosed
b12deficiency.info/what-to-...
How to write letters to GP about B12 deficiency
b12deficiency.info/writing-...
Link above has letter templates covering a variety of situations linked to B12 deficiency.
Blog post about being symptomatic for B12 deficiency with a normal range serum B12 result.
b12deficiency.info/your-ser...
PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)
Based in Wales, UK. Has some overseas members.
pernicious-anaemia-society....
There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.
PAS membership is separate from membership of this forum.
pernicious-anaemia-society....
Testing for PA
pernicious-anaemia-society....
Have you been tested for PA?
NICE CKS (Clinical Knowledge Summary) B12 deficiency and Folate deficiency
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
Have you been tested for coeliac disease?
NICE guidelines Coeliac disease suggest anyone with unexplained B12, folate or iron deficiency should be tested. See link below.
More on Coeliac UK website
coeliac.org.uk/information-...
Have a look at the thread below where I left a detailed reply with lots of B12 info
healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...
There's lots of other info I can pass on so just say if you want me to post more.
I'm not medically trained just someone who suffered for years from unrecognised and untreated B12 deficiency.
One thing I'd urge you to do is to track down the local B12 deficiency guidelines that your ICB (Integrated Care Board) in England or Health Board in Wales/Scotland are using as your GPs are likely to refer to these.
If you can't find them online or by searching forum posts here then best bet is to submit a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to the ICB or Health Board asking which B12 deficiency guidelines are used locally and for a link to or copy of them.
Some of these local guidelines are not helpful. See blog post below.
b12deficiency.info/gloucest...
List of ICBs England
B12 and Folate test results
B12 and Folate
Confused B12, Folate
Folate and B12 levels recent blood test results
Folate supplements with B12 injections
