why s mch rising now asI am SI daily??

[brenanddave]

just another quick question! I'm on SI b12 daily and just received my blood test results back Can anyone explain why my MCH is rising? I know this is an indicator of low b12 but it was getting lower and is now rising even though I am on daily b12 It isn't a huge difference but I am interested in why it is going that way instead of lower. I will post the numbers in the comments. Just trying to work out what my body is doing and how best to help it

29 Mar 2023 - Complete Blood Count

Test Complete Blood Count

Date Received 29/03/2023 12:00:0

Haemoglobin:134 g/L ( 115 - 155 )

RBC:3.97 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )

HCT:0.40 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )

MCV:100 fL ( 80 - 99 ) H

MCH:33.8 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 ) H

Started b12 june 6Haemoglobin:134 g/L ( 115 - 155 )

RBC:4.14 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )

HCT:0.40 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )

MCV:97 fL ( 80 - 99 )

MCH:32.4 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 )

jun 27 Haemoglobin:120 g/L ( 115 - 155 )

RBC:3.71 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )

HCT:0.36 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )

MCV:98 fL ( 80 - 99 )

MCH:32.3 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 )

aug 17 Haemoglobin:138 g/L ( 115 - 155 )

RBC:4.28 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )

HCT:0.41 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )

MCV:95 fL ( 80 - 99 )

MCH:32.2 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 )

sep 27 Haemoglobin:136 g/L ( 115 - 155 )

RBC:4.03 x10e12/L ( 3.60 - 5.60 )

HCT:0.40 L/L ( 0.35 - 0.46 )

MCV:98 fL ( 80 - 99 )

MCH:33.7 pg ( 27.0 - 33.0 ) H

Is this because daily b12 isn't enough or am I not getting it into my cells efficiently? I had covid

I'm still so tired and on top of all my neuropathy etc I am now having internal vibrations and twitching just started As well as the nerves around my teeth are highly sensitive and painful with random face numbness I don't know if its connected I'm getting worse. I did have COVID 2 months ago but laying down 22 hours of my day still

[Technoid]

Would be good to check you're getting sufficient folate and that labs show you're absorbing enough.

[brenanddave in reply to Technoid]

My ALc levels are going up by 1 point a monthe and doc is watching it. I just read this.

For example, according to one 2013 research reviewTrusted Source, high levels of vitamin E can falsely elevate A1C levels.

On the other hand, vitamin B12 and folic acid can falsely lower them, Any thoughts as to whether it may be pointing to another auto immune problem Diabetes maybe?

[Technoid in reply to brenanddave]

I would go by FlipperTD's response below.

[Tinkerbell6]

Hello. I'm having the same issue after 3 years of EOD treatment. My MCV is 107.1 (range 81-98) & MCH 32.5 (range 27-33). Folate is high 20's. Really don't understand why these are rising!

[brenanddave in reply to Tinkerbell6]

Hello, Thats very interesting. I am starting to see that the numbers on test results can't be relied on.

[FlipperTD]

Scientist, not medic.

Give it time. Don't panic. It would be interesting to know what's happening to your RDW, if it's reported. You're not anaemic. Your MCH is borderline, and as the given range is (Mean +/- 2SD) that's only 95% of the 'normal' population. If you consider (Mean +/- 3SD) that captures 99.7% of the normal population, and that gives you a range of 26-34, so you're within that.

It's more important to consider the symptoms than the numbers. It's a slow process, and your blood results don't look the least bit alarming.

Hope this helps.

[brenanddave in reply to FlipperTD]

No! But!! my symptoms are alarming. I am living barely 10% of my life. The rest of it is either sitting or laying down. I am chronically exhausted and have been for the best part of a year now. I am suffering with PA Peripheral neuropathy pain and SCD This is frightening to me and has had a huge effect on my family as well as myself. I am trying to find answers in order to help fix some of this. It has been doctors only going by generic based numbers on lab tests that got me to this stage after years of misdiagnosis.

[FlipperTD in reply to brenanddave]

I can only sympathise with your plight and realise that's not a lot of help. It's easy for 'the professionals' to simply look at the numbers and dismiss things but I appreciate that you're not well.

I hope things improve.

[brenanddave in reply to FlipperTD]

Thanks Flipper. Yes! I guess I'm trying to come to terms with wht this will mean to me and my family going forward. I am most worried about how much of this might be e. At least I have a caring doctor that is trying to research what he doesn't understand.

[JanD236]

I’ve been si twice a week for several years now and have been feeling fit and well throughout. I occasionally wonder if I feel a bit more tired than others but other than that I’m good.

My MCV is consistently slightly above range and I’ve never been able to find an answer as to why that might be. I have Graves‘ disease (overactive thyroid) but that’s been in remission for many years. My thyroid levels now veer towards underactive so maybe this could be why.

My folate levels are always good.

[palmier]

MCH is calculated (rather than measured) as haemoglobin divided by RBC, that is haemoglobin divided by the number of red blood cells. Interesting to note that it is possible to have values for haemoglobin and RBC within reference range and still get a value for the quotient, MCH, outside range.If you've been b12 deficient due to an absorption problem you may have a problem absorbing some other nutrients as well.

[brenanddave in reply to palmier]

Hi ,Yes! Thats what I am thinking. I also have hemachromatosis and wonder how that plays out with my blood values. It costs a fotune to have vits tested here in NZ so will have to make a guess at what I may need. I'll start with D and K2 as I spent the summer inside with this. It was a really wt summer and little sunshine so I'm picking vit D is good.

[boisland in reply to brenanddave]

brenanddave - You need to pick up Vit D3.

[brenanddave in reply to palmier]

Thanks Palmier, Yes I'm thinking I may be needing something else. Here in NZ to test other pos vits it was going to cost me $850. we only get a couple funded. I'm going to try taking D and k2 at a guess. I have spent most of a year inside unwell and the weather was abnormally wet this summer.