I've joined to maybe get some advice as I don't feel well.
I am seeing my doctor as I'm feeling fatigued, generally weak and my coordination seems off.
When I give blood my Haemoglobin is always border line, I can only just get through to donate.
They say my iron is low and to see my doctor. My doctor ran tests and said they're OK.
I've had bloods done a few times privately.
Back in October 2023:
Serum Vitamin B12 919 (191.0 - 663.0)
Ferritin 32.5 (30.0 - 400.0)
Folate 5.1 (4.5 - 32.2)
Iron 12.5 (10.0 - 30.0)
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) 65.00 (45.0 - 81.0)
Transferrin Saturation 19.2 (25.0 - 45.0)
Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) 52.5 (12.0 - 43.0)
In August 2025
Folate 8.1
Ferritin 21.4
Iron 15.4
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) 77.00
Transferrin Saturation 20.0
Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity 61.6
All I know is I don't feel right, my doctor says by bloods are OK but the Blood service says they are not. I'm hoping maybe someone here might have an opinion?
Thanks in advance.
Karl
Written by
kmbrad1981
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I don’t have experience of iron problems or any of the other things that you have had tested with the exception of vitamin B12.
I see that your B12 is higher than the range. So that I or others can comment on that please can you let us know whether or not you have been receiving vitamin B12 injections?
No I have never had B12 injections but ironically enough I am booked into have one tomorrow. I know that sound strange but the symptoms I have seem common with low B12.
Is that with your doctor? The reason I ask is that there could be other reasons (way beyond my knowledge) why your vitamin B12 level is high. I would be asking my doctor to explore that (and wouldn’t be getting injections from any other source until that’s happened).
No it's not. I'm going to a private clinic later to get my ears inspected. I'm getting a lot of headaches and balance problems. I know I have low iron which makes me feel dizzy and light headed but I want to get my ears checked too to see if there is something going on.
I have cancelled my B12 today. I've been on iron supplements for a few months now. I'll see what my levels are when I give blood next Friday, and then I'll go for blood tests again.
You may have an absorption problem. You may have spuriously high B12 and have an issue absorbing it into your blood for it to do its job. I would try a B12 injection sometimes you get results within 24 hours.
Transferrin saturations is under range at 20. (25.0 - 45.0). Your ferritin is under range also.
I would ask your GP to repeat blood tests as you are symptomatic with below range saturation and ferritin levels. They would cause symptoms of fatigue.
Functional tests for vitamin B12 deficiency measure levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine (Hcy)
I'll push to get them done again. I though they might have wanted to repeat them but the doctors haven't really followed any of it up. They prescribed anti depressants and told me to slow down at work.
Do you know if low transferrin saturations and ferritin is common in those who vegatarian?
I’m no expert but I think if you have a well balanced vegetarian diet with iron rich food it shouldn’t be. B12 on the other hand would be. Maybe it’s more of an absorption problem but definitely needs more investigation from your GP. I would write a symptom diary and note down when you started to feel poorly. Dr should treat symptoms. Good luck xx
The results you show us are helpful, but it would be interesting to know what your FBC results were at the same time, as they can highlight a few things. Hb, MCV, MCH and RDW in particular. 'Iron balance' is critical for many of us. In years gone by, patients on the surgical unit in 'my' hospital had sufficient blood taken regularly for them to develop iron deficiency. The term 'investigation of anaemia' changed into 'anaemia of investigation'! Fortunately, tests we use today don't need anything like as much blood as in years gone by.
You mention 'vegetarian', and if someone relies on a vegetarian diet, then [depending on what's in the diet] getting sufficient iron can be a serious issue.
If there's not enough iron in the diet then low ferritin and transferrin saturation are quite possible.
The undoubtedly best source of iron is meat-based.
Cereal iron, whilst measurable chemically, is less easily digested and made available than haem-based iron.
Iron in fortified cereals is not as readily available either. Having a cup of tea at the same time can reduce the effectiveness of the iron too.
Hi FlipperTD, thanks for your post. I did read that tea and coffee limit the absorbtion rate of iron. I'm not a full vegatarian, I eatr chicken maybe once a week. I don't eat red meat. I eat a lot of fish, and I eat diary and eggs etc.
I have copied out my FBC results, I'm not sure what they all mean. The reports came back as satisfactory and no further testing needed.
I'm with your GP on this one. The fact that you're tipping into 'below' but only just doesn't worry me. These are 95% limits, so 1 in 20 'normals' will be on the brink. Likewise if you measure enough variables you're almost certain to find something on the brink. A dirty statistical trick! ['Lies, damned lies, and statistics'] I don't have an explanation for the B12 level.
NICE guidelines state ferritin under 30 indicates iron deficiency, so you were under on the first test, and only just over on the second. I'd ask your GP for a trial of iron tablets to see if they help. Mine was 20 and I felt exhausted all the time, I also had low B12 & folate, no harm in supplementing those as well to see if that helps too.
Hopefully your blood test will help you figure out what's going on. Do you take a multivitamin or anything? When my folate was low I felt rubbish, but was never sure whether that was also due to my low iron. It's tricky trying to figure out what's going on sometimes
It seems very odd to have such a high level of B12 in your system if you’re not supplementing or injecting - have you had your liver function checked - also tests for high blood sugar? Can’t understand why your GP has been so dismissive when the results are so high and your symptoms persist- there’s clearly something going on that needs looking into further. Hope you get to the bottom of it all 👍
What kind of folate supplement are you using? L-methylfolate is much better to digest and use, than folic acid, which is a man made substance. B12 and folate work hand in hand, so if your folate is low, you may not be able to utilise B12, so it stays in the blood.
There are various conditions that cause high B12. Also low folate and iron. Sorry to say cancer is amongst them, but also inflammatory bowel conditions. So stick with your Doctors. In the meantime cut right back on high carb/gluten starchy and sugary things and alcohol. Do a few fast days. Eat good organic foods, grass fed meat and wild fish.
I tend to post a lot of info so might be worth reading it over a week so it's not so overwhelming.
Some links I post may have details that could be upsetting to read.
Just wondered if you drank energy drinks?
Some of these have high levels of B12.
An above range serum (total) B12 result without having B12 supplements or B12 injections can sometimes be a sign of a serious health condition.
Has your GP ordered further tests?
I'm not medically trained but I would expect GP to at least check liver and kidney function and to order a Full Blood Count if someone has high B12 without supplementing.
From personal experience, I know it is possible to have severe B12 deficiency symptoms with a normal range serum B12 result. I've also read that this is possible in people who have an above range serum B12 result.
Blog post about being symptomatic for B12 deficiency with a normal range serum B12 result.
Try to find the local guidelines for B12 deficiency, folate deficiency and iron deficiency used by your ICB (Integrated Care Board) in England (Health Board in Wales/Scotland).
If you can't find them online, best bet is probably to submit a FOI (Freedom of Information) request to ICB/Health Board asking which guidelines for (B12 deficiency/folate deficiency/iron deficiency) they are using and for a link to or copy of them.
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