B12 blood test result explained?

[HP12]

hi all.

I have been told my GP that my B12 levels are low and that I need to take a supplement lifelong. My results a show Plasma vitamin B12 level - 49 pmol/l. Does anyone know is this is very low? Or just a little bit?

[Nackapan]

Ask fof your blood results. The measurement they used for my serum b12 test was pg/ml (200-900)

When you see the results the 'in range ' is in brackets on the right .

All labs vary .

If its dietary b12 tablets work.

If itssn absorbtion issue very few manage on oral b12. .if they do itx on very high doses daily or throughout the day .

Also depends on your symptoms.

Were you also told folate level. Ususlly done on thd same assay .

Vit D

Iron/ ferritin ?

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

I've assumed you're in UK.

It's helpful to know which country you are in as treatment patterns and type of B12 used can vary.

49pmol/L seems pretty low to me.

Can you access your blood test results?

There should be a reference range next to your result.

Serum B12 ref ranges in UK are often given as ng/L.

I've read a UK document where the range for serum B12 was given as 180 - 900 ng/L.

I think if you multiply 49 by 1.355 you will get your result in ng/L.

I make it about 66.4 ng/L...that is seriously low if my maths is correct.

With a result that low, I would expect your GP to put you on B12 injections even if the cause is dietary.

It's vital to get adequate treatment. Delayed or inadequate treatment increases the risk of developing permanent neurological damage.

Has your GP tested you for PA (Pernicious Anaemia) and Coeliac disease?

These are two auto immune conditions that can lead to B12 deficiency.

If GP suspects or has diagnosed PA then treatment is for,life.

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Might be worth joining and talking to PAS.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

PAS membership is separate to membership of this forum. They have overseas members.

They have lots of useful leaflets on website, a PAS members helpline, PAS support groups, a page for health professionals etc.

B12info.com has lots of useful info.

b12info.com/

I left some detailed replies with useful info on this thread below eg B12 books, more B12 websites, UK B12 documents, links for UK people struggling to get adequate treatment etc

Some links may have details that could be upsetting to read.

If you're not in UK, the links in thread below may not be relevant to you.

Help Needed! Have I got Pernicious Anaemia?

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

I'm not a health professional just someone who suffered for years from unrecognised and untreated B12 deficiency.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

Check whether this is an active B12 test or a total serum B12 test result first:

- For a total serum B12 result (measuring both active and inactive B12) this seems very low:

As Sleepybunny said : this is low whether measured in pmol/L or ng/L. For a B12 result measured in ng/L, the range usually starts at anywhere around 180 ng/L to 200 ng/L, but can be as low as 145 in some areas. The top of the range is around 800 ng/L and the usual upper limit for measuring seems to be 2000 ng/L, above which the level is not able to be measured.

- For an Active B12 result, it is lowish:

if I remember correctly, below 35 is very concerning, and 35 - 50 considered a problem. Have a look for HoloTC range and you will see it varies a bit.

"Biomarkers and Algorithms for the Diagnosis of Vitamin B12 Deficiency" (Luciana Hannibal et al: 2016) list HoloTC as being "very low" at 35 pmol/L or below, "low" at 36- 50 pmol/L as the original levels and cut-offs used. You would be just inside this category if that was what was measured.

[Technoid in reply to Cherylclaire]

Smells like active to me but I guess will see what OP says. Would be scarily low for a serum result.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Technoid]

- perhaps not even measurable at that end, either ?

Would hope that this is an active result. I felt like I was dying at 196 ng/L - luckily range locally started at 197.

[Nackapan]

Im a bit confused with the test used .Do correct me if my thoughts on this wrong.

1.Plasma b12 test was mentioned.

Plasma being ( after put in a centrifuge) is white separated from red and at thd top. So not whole blood

2.Serum = all blood hence sone active znd some inactive but from total blood.

3.Active b12 test ax it says only 'active ' measured but from serum. ( whole blood)

So are there 3 different b12 tests?

FlipperTD

needed as would know !

Sounds Low whatever test to me