I am going to have some private blood tests done. Not worth discussing what is needed with a physician who has no idea what is needed.
Note: I did figure out that when a physician says they are going to order some blood work that what they are really doing is checking off boxes that show up on the computer based on the garbage for information that is on my chart. They are grandstanding.
My goal is only to test to determine if I should make changes to my self treatment for B12. Not looking for any other conditions as I have no symptoms.
I discovered that some online labs will find the cheapest combinations from the panels they sell if you send them a list via email. I am happy about that as it saves me lots of work.
CBC- Complete Blood Count. General.
RBC-Red Blood Cell information is contained in CBC
Folate-Blood serum is sufficient unless evidence of folate deficiency. Worth testing.
Ferritin- Best indicator of iron deficiency is CBC. Still worth testing.
Potassium-Not definitive. Better done clinically and supplement when injecting B12. Results are less accurate (may be falsely elevated) in people who have a high white blood cell or platelet count.
Magnesium-No value. Should supplement.
Phosphate-test to detect an emergency. No need to supplement.
Homosistein-Just to check if I need to start betaine again.
B6-Test for toxicity. Better done by symptoms.
Vitamin D-Check and try for midrange.
This is what I got so far. Any suggestions or comments? I am being lazy and made the list off the top of my head. Any differences in experience or opinion are welcomed.
I will only supplement with B12 for two weeks prior to having the testing done and will depend on the lab to tell me if fasting is required.