elevated b12

[Lovemocha]

HI All. I am 2 years into my GCA journey. Has anyone else had elevated b12 blood levels from GCA ? Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think it is extremely unlikely that the disorder GCA itself results in raised B12 levels.

Have you been taking supplements while you have had GCA? If you take multiple supplements sometimes the amounts of various things are more than you need especially if your diet is good. However, B12 is a water soluble vitamin so normally excess is excreted through the kidneys - unless they are damaged at all.

Is it very high? Is your doctor doing any investigations to look for other causes?

[Lovemocha in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your response. I am seeing my doctor in a couple days so I will get more information. Just hoping to ease my mind as some reasons are very scary. My search did say that inflammatory auto immune disease could possibly be one reason. Hence the inquiry. Better the devil you do know, right?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lovemocha]

Yup!

[Oxfordboy2]

I have exactly the opposite.My levels fell so low that I now have b12 shots every 12 weeks.I I believe this may have been caused by the methotrexate I am taking.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Oxfordboy2]

Part of the reason you are given folic acid.

[Lovemocha in reply to Oxfordboy2]

Thank you for your response

[pata63 in reply to Oxfordboy2]

I've had to have B12 shots every 4 weeks since December 2009. This was years before PMR came on the scene for me, and I've never had methotrexate. If we find another 5,000 or so people we might have enough cases for a study. 😀

Did you get tested for intrinsic factor antibodies? I was but they didn't find any antibodies so we don't know what step in the chain caused my critically low B12. I was advised that sometimes as one ages your ability to make use of the B12 you get from your food goes down.

[Oxfordboy2 in reply to pata63]

I did get tested for antibodies and was found to be ok.I have not been told the low levels were caused by methotrexate but there are articles on the internet that list low levels as a side effect.

[Doublef]

Hi I am completely opposite I start b12 injections again next week I have a history of anemeau