Can anyone tell me how serious a B12 blood result of 75 is?

[doityourself]

[19davo66]

Hello, I am on a bit of a journey of discovery, I have recently been told I have a B12 of 77. I am having lots of blood tests, GP is taking a big interest on me, I tried Googling what it means, not getting anywhere, but as much as this might strange, I am glad I am not on my own.

I hope we are going to be alright, & I am sure we are.

David.

[doityourself]

Hi, glad to hear Your GP is showing interest. I know in the 70s is considered very low, do you have neurological symptoms, I think this is important to ascertain when considering levels of treatment. Hope you have received a loading dose of B12 shots and that you are therefore feeling better, it takes longer than I realised , someone on this site, I think, said it can take 3-4 months Im not sure how important it is to find out why we are so deficient . What I do not understand is why some people , I think we may fall into this group, do not have intrinsic factor. Let me know if you or anyone else reading this, know the answer. I must get round to joining the Pernicious Anemia Society I believe they are really helpful. Best of luck. Stay in touch. L.

[Hidden]

Hi,

My serum B12 was very low when diagnosed, it just means there is no doubt that you are B12 def I supose and need treatment. It takes time to feel well again on the whole,as it takes time for the body to replace (3-4 months) all faulty bloocells produced with to little B12. A good supply of iron and folate (plus B6) is also needed for good blood production, so have some monitoring of bloods. It is not uncommon to become say folate def when B12 treatment has started as there will be an increased demand on folate stores etc.

I feel it realy helps to under stand PA, B12 def, reasons what and what could have caused it can be found in this link and the links referred to at the bottom of that website, see:

patient.co.uk/doctor/Pernic...

It is not allways easy to get a firm reason why you became B12 def, the tests are expensive so and the treatment will allways be the same what ever the reason.

Well I hope you both will feel a lot better soon!

Kind regards,

Marre.

[doityourself in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Marre I appreciate the info. and feedback, just had 1 month monitoring blood results back and levels still only 750. Getting thru the next 2 months is going to be difficult I think as I understand B12 levels will now start to drop gradually.

[Hidden in reply to doityourself]

Hi,

For some a serum level of 750 is wonderful..Mine has never got over the 500..it all depends on the person, numbers are only half the story in recoverring, how you feel/ symptoms are just as important. My serum level B12 is never high, and I inject every other week..I'm just trying to stay over the 300. and am very well with those levels...others need a serum B12 level of over 1000 to feel well..its very different per person what the body does with the injected B12 it seems! Anyway have you had results for serum folate and ferritine? They are also needed for good blood production, besides vit B6, often when you give a lot of one vitamin (B12) you can get depleted in folate and or iron etc,

Kind regards,

Marre.

[doityourself in reply to Hidden]

thanks for your answer and yes I do feel much improved but some neuro symptoms remain. I guess Im just impatient ! Im on folic acid so folate and ferritine levels are good. I think you are right, numbers are only guidelines. It is how you feel that is important. We do need to listen to our bodies they certainly try and tell us when things are not as they should be . We just are not always receptive to its communications. Again many thanks and I hope you remain well and fully active.

[johnbarriesmith]

My B-12 needs to be a minimum of 1000 to survive , if you have auto immune problems you will need injections , mine was caused by "human insulin " in 1980 but didnt get diagnosis until getting a private 2nd opinion in 2006 , Polyglandular Autoimmune damage to 5 Glands , the Consultant had numerous cases like mine .

[Kacer]

Yeah, that's bad. Japanese studies have found anything below 425 can result in neurological deficits, even the USA (crappiest standards, or most out of date, anyway) says under 200 is really bad... so it's not good. 750, IME is where I feel the best.