B 12 level... confusing

[Muef]

Is 250 pg/ml an acceptable level of b12 for a person with neuro deficit like random pricking on the skin.. from head to toe...

This result is inspite of having a diet which includes meat often and irregularity taking b 12 tablets as well.

P.S i was deficient before as well and had iv shots which improved my b 12.

[Technoid]

Don't use a B12 level as a sign of whether the treatment of a B12 deficiency is adequate. You need a treatment frequency and volume that is adequate to alleviate symptoms. Symptoms may increase in early stage treatment especially with a severe deficiency or neurological damage.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

From personal experience, I know it is possible to have deficiency symptoms with a serum B12 result that is within range.

You might want to look into Functional B12 deficiency, where there is plenty of B12 in the blood but it's not getting to where it's needed in the cells.

MMA, homocysteine and Active B12 (holotranscobalamin) tests may help to diagnose functional B12 deficiency.

If your diet is rich in foods that contain B12, have you thought about whether there could be an issue with absorbing B12 in the gut.

PA (Pernicious Anaemia) is an auto-immune condition that can lead to B12 deficiency.

Coeliac (celiac) disease is another auto-immune condition that can lead to B12 deficiency.

Some B12 websites

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has overseas members.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS membership is separate to membership of this forum.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Testing for PA

pernicious-anaemia-society....

B12info.com

b12info.com/

B12 Awareness (US website)

b12awareness.org/

Stitchting B12 Tekort (Dutch B12 website with English articles)

stichtingb12tekort.nl/english/

B12 Institute - Netherlands

Has useful lists of causes and symptoms.

b12-institute.nl/en/home-2/

Two useful B12 books

Published a few years ago so some bits might need updating.

Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses by Sally Pacholok and J.J. Stuart (US authors).

Very comprehensive. Lots of case histories.

What You need to Know about Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 deficiency

by Martyn Hooper, former chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Let me know if you're in UK, I can pass on other useful info if you are.

I'm not medically trained.