Another reference to the importance of adequate B12 levels in over 60's in particular.

[shaws]

A couple of excerpts:-

1.

In the elderly, it can cause dementia, says David Smith, Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology at Oxford University.

‘B12 deficiency is more common after the age of 60 and, once levels fall below 500 pg/ml (picograms per millilitre — the normal range being 500 to 1,000), the brain starts to deteriorate at twice the usual rate, making memory loss six times more likely,’ he says.

2.

Many people are not being diagnosed — and, when they are, they are failing to get the treatment they need, adds Professor Smith.

‘NHS guidelines insist B12 deficiency be identified by one of two possible blood tests — both of which are unreliable.

‘One test looks for macrocytic (enlarged) blood cells, which can be a sign of deficiency. The other measures the total amount of B12 in the blood. But you can be B12 deficient and sail through these tests.

‘GPs need to look for symptoms that suggest B12 deficiency — then see if these improve with B12 treatment.

'The definition of deficiency in the UK is below 200pg/ml — but harm to the brain can begin at anything below 500.’

But therein lies another problem. Most primary care trusts will fund treatment only when a diagnosis has been made.

3.

‘GPs need to consider B12 deficiency even when blood tests look normal,’ says Professor Smith.

‘They must take notice of what their patients say about their symptoms.’

Read more: dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

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[nightingale-56]

This is just the information I have been looking for Shaws. Many thanks for posting this. Janet.

[lucylocks]

Hi

I am 58 and my B12 was 377 so I am now supplementing'

[shaws Administrator in reply to lucylocks]

If you are supplementing it should be methylcobalamin as it is better than cyanocobalamin

[lucylocks]

Never finished my reply. Don't know what happened. I am still getting symptoms but don't know if its the thyroid meds not working or if I need more B12 seeing an endo mextl month so I shall mention this article to him

[shaws Administrator in reply to lucylocks]

I am not sure if the medical profession realise the importance of B12 but I would give him a copy of the article.He can always absorb it later when he has time.

If you have had recent thyroid gland blood tests, get a print-out complete with ranges and post on a new question for someone to comment.

[Hidden]

Thats interesting, when I was so very ill about 18 months ago I had a full private blood test which I took to the doctors. I am hypo and at that time was on 75mcg of levo. My TSH was also high on the same test at 22.34 (0.27-4.2).

My MCV was just over the top range of 99 at 99.1 and highlighted in red and my B12 was 381 (191-663). He just brushed the results aside and said that was nothing to worry about. I had been suffering with tingling legs and feet and some of my toes were numb. But according to him these weren't related. I wish I had know this at the time.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately, it would appear we have to eventually be more knowledgeable

[susymac]

Its a good an interesting article, unfortunately my doctor would never accept anything that was in the daily mail as evidence of anything (and for once I actually agree with this) and although martyn hooper is chair of the pernicious anaemia society and most likely a very intelligent person. He;s not actually a doctor and I have never been diagnosed as having pernicious anaemia, so fear this would fall on deaf ears. Thank you for posting it though.

but without it being funded, I cannot supplement myself