B12 advice please

[Ankles]

Hi i am new to this group, nice to meet you all. I just wondered if I should order an MMA urine test or contact the GP with concerns of low B12.

Or should I just carry on taking the Thorn basic B and better you b12, then re test.

I have an underactive thyroid and inflammatory arthritis, also taking HRT.

Folate 9.2. >5.9

Active b12. 38.2. 37.5 -188

B12. 433. 180-910, this result is slightly higher than normal, usually 250-350.

Thank you so much

[Nackapan]

Welcomr to this forum.The 2 b12 tests you've had differ don't they with results.

The active one seems low

I wouid see your G.p If possible.A serum b12 blood test and an Intrinsic factor blood test shoujd be done as well ax iron, vit D ferritin.

A full blood count

as you've an autoimmune condition already .

You don't mention symptoms.

If oral b12 works ,it works so carry on with that . It will show on a blood test result what number on supplements though .

If you can absorb and utilise an oral b12 supplements that's good .

[Ankles in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you for your reply, my ferritin was good and vitD 70, could do with being higher. I'll go back onto the supplements and test again in 8 weeks. The folate concerned me really.

If results improve, then I don't need to hassle the GP again🤔.

Thanks again👍

[FlipperTD in reply to Ankles]

Scientist, not medic.

You seem to have a good grasp of what might be going on, but even so, I would advise you to keep well in with your GP, as we pay them to look after us. Likewise, the GP can refer you for appropriate testing and help you with interpreting the results. You should not have to pay for private pathology tests that you actually need, but I realise it's not a perfect World.

Good luck.

[Ankles in reply to FlipperTD]

Thank you for your reply, your right, our g.p practice to be fair have been very good with me over the last few years. I tend to put on this really sweet voice when I phone now😂 . Thank you for your support, I'll be good with taking vitamins and then maybe ask g.p practice for a blood test form.

[bookish in reply to Ankles]

Bear in mind that you need symptoms to improve, not just blood levels. Just because oral supplements are able to raise your serum it does not mean that the B12 is working properly for you at cellular level. You may need injections, if not now then possibly later, if oral stops working well enough.

[Ankles in reply to bookish]

Thank you, I did send an email to GP explaining my concerns, but haven't received a response. GP had an issue with my Thyroid results and was quite willing to lower levothyroxin without discussing and not reading the letters the private endocrinologist had sent, regarding Liothyronine/levothyroxin dosage, hence the email. Thyroid meds rectified but with no discussion again, I just looked at the repeat prescription, and it's back to how it should be. As FlipperTD has said, GPs are there to help us, and ours to be fair, have been quite good, so just need to maybe try everything, then send another email.

It's been a long few years, I have medication for inflammatory arthritis Jak Inhibitor, have gone through a few medications to get to the one i have now, then underactive thyroid, I have levothyroxin conversation issue, so with the help of Thyroid forum, I now seem to be on the right dosage. And just to add to all that HRT. Was on patches, now on tablet and gel.

From all the info from Thyroid forum, I know that vit d, bs, magnesium all have to be optimal for all meds to work efficiently. Timings and the right brands/ingredients are essential.

Last bit of the jigsaw, is need to test cortisol and try to be gluten/dairy free.

Sorry, I didn't know I could write so much.

This is why healthunlocked forums are brilliant, have great knowledgeable/experienced/heartwarming members who offer sound advice.

Thank you so much

[Hockey_player]

If you want B12 levels tested, it is better to not be taking it for awhile before the tests. Do you have symptoms of low B12? If yes, and you want to see if oral B12 helps, then try sublingual B12, 1000mcg to see if that helps more than what you are taking.

[Ankles in reply to Hockey_player]

Thank you for replying, you are right. So results are from not taking any bs. So, next step to try again and re test👍.

[bookish in reply to Hockey_player]

Hi, the Better You B12 that Ankles has been taking is a sublingual spray and standard dose is already higher than 1000 mcg. But I agree about stopping and being off for some time before testing. Cheers