this is my first time posting 😀 I did an advanced thyroid test with medichecks last week for general tiredness etc. my active b12 level has come back as 41.4 (range 37.5- 188). Vitamin D 80.2 (range 50-250). (This is probably thanks to a sunny holiday to Gran Canaria a month ago 😂). They couldn’t test my folate as it was a finger prick sample and it failed. Ferritin 132 (range 30-150). All other results (CRP, thyroid) were normal.
In the report they’ve mentioned a MMA test due to borderline b12 result. I don’t really want to pay £150 for this privately. Any advice on where to go from here? Should I approach my GP for a total b12 blood test (I’ve never had one done), would that be useful in determining whether I need treatment or is it likely to come back normal? Do they do MMA? Or is it not too bad a result- in which case any advice on what supplements to take to boost it a little?
thanks in advance!
Written by
Strawberry1992
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I'm a retired NHS through-and-through scientist, not a medic, but I ran a pathology laboratory.
I have some fairly strong beliefs about testing, and firstly, fingerprick blood tests are not generally the best way of doing something. There are much greater errors for many things, and the sample quality is variably poor. If it was all we could manage with tiny babies, then we would do that, but venous samples are inevitably much, much better. I suspect you've already been charged quite enough for what you've had, and frankly I wouldn't go any further with them. They fail to measure your folate, but for £150 extra, they can offer an MMA? Who is doing what for whom, I ask???
You are entitled to NHS tests, via your GP, and the labs are trustworthy. They may not offer some of the stuff that private services offer, but if they were deemed necessary, then they would offer them. Good venous samples, measured promptly, are far more use.
Have a chat with your GP, and take it from there.
I appreciate that some on here may not agree with me, but that's their choice!
I agree with Sleepybunny and FlipperTD. What other symptoms do you have. Please also tell your GP. As opposed to further testing, ask your GP whether they would consider a trial of loading doses of Every Other Day loading doses of 1mg/ml of hydroxycobalamin intramuscularly.
I did a Medichecks Active B12 finger prick test and it came back as 28.6, borderline deficient. It was also recommended I do an MMA test.
I consulted my GP who said they do not do an MMA test, no surprise. However, I managed to get a full blood count, vitamin levels (including total serum B12), an Autoimmune antibody and Intrinsic Factor test. This would be testing for PA. Total B12 was 444 so does not reflect low Active B12 result. I tested positive for Antibodies to Parietel Cells but not Intrinsic Factor.
I have Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and my mother had Pernicious Anaemia. I have ordered a private Urine MMA Test as I need to know if I am deficient in B12. or not!! You might be very lucky and your GP may request an MMA test for you but I don't think the NHS will do it without good reason, always worth asking though. Perhaps you could also ask for a total B12 and Folate test. Folate is important to know. I had no idea I was deficient in folate last year and was quite unwell.
Most surgeries don't seem to do MMA but worth asking as your active B12 is low. Ask for PA tests, which include MMA (serum & urine), homocysteine, intrinsic factor antibodies (GIFA) and parietal cell antibodies (GPCA).
My surgery did the last 2 way too late and hindsight tells me I should've paid for the others at the beginning. Best opportunity of a diagnosis is before starting treatment or supplementing.
thank you all, I’ve sent a message to the doctor to ask for more tests but not heard back yet it says they respond within 3 working days so hopefully next week. I haven’t started supplementing yet as I know it can affect results so I’m hanging on!
So all very straightforward- I had a text from the doctors this evening asking me to book in online for blood tests. I’ve booked in for Wednesday this week. I can see that they’ve requested a full blood count, b12, ferritin, folate and thyroid!!
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.
IFA negative, Low Active B12 - advice please. 
Medichecks B12 results advice please
B12 deficiency diagnosis 
is active b12 a better indicator than free b12
