B12 range

[Dollybird]

Please could someone tell me the UK range for B12 and where best in the range us hypos should aim to be? Thanks x

[Hidden]

My local lab is 190-900 ng/L - "consensus of opinion" seems to be aim above 500. (ranges change per lab).

Not that GP will give me a test mind - so just ordered the Active B12 via TUK (not sure of ranges for that 'tho)

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[helvella Administrator]

There is no UK range for B12.

Most labs set their own reference ranges. The reference range from the lab that did the test is the only one that matters.

Some tests are very much better standardised than others. So for some other tests you see reference ranges that are identical across a lot of labs, and maybe only very slight variations across others.

If you are looking at B12 tests on the internet, be aware that even the units used can vary around the world.

The most quoted number seems to be 500 - but what 500 represents might well vary from one lab to another. Certainly you should not be low in range.

Rod

[Dollybird in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod, this is all still so new to me and I'm trying ways to try and help myself. Think I might invest in some supplements and see if it perks me up a bit until my new dose of levothyroxine kicks in. x

[Dollybird]

Thanks guys, just got a print out of all my blood tests since 05 but there's no ranges on it! Just had my meds increased so was reading through all my results, thought my b12 looks a bit low compared to other posts I have read at 269, will query on my next visit to go x

[Hidden]

It would be interesting and helpful to see the variation of UK ranges per lab/area - anyone got their B12 tests to hand? (with ranges?). My area is Shropshire.

Another similar question here....

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My area if Oxfordshire - ranges for B12 = 180-900. did you want my own reading as well, or just ranges?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thanks - same range here then. I'm curious what your results were & are you supplementing? J

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello, my results were 475ng/L and no I wasn't supplementing at the time of the test in July.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

Cambridge area - Vitamin B12 - (211 - 911) I was 327

[Agapanthus]

My test was done recently in Cornwall and ranges were 180-866

Last year it was done at my endo just into Devon and ranges there were 175-900

I am keeping an eye on my B12 now as it was v high a year ago and over range after supplementing. However recently despite supplements it had dropped by nearly half. I am injecting it for a short time, but will maybe have the active B12 test after say 6 mths when I guess the levels may have dropped again.

[fran5-tess]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me understand my B12 readings: Oct 2012 it was 918.000pg/ml (246-911). (Normal - no action). Two weeks ago it was 757.000pg/ml (187-883) again normal, but I am lethargic/tired, tingling in my arms and hands, my feet feel like I am walking on hot coals and parts of my feet feel numb when walking without shoes. I am very bad tempered (not like me) and get breathless just walking upstairs. I was told I was low in vit D (39) my doctor said she wanted me about 75. Having taken vit D for 4 months its now 'normal 117.000nmol/L' I should add I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 15 years ago and have been on thyroxine (100 mg) for almost all of that time. I put myself up to 125mg and was reprimanded by one doctor who told me not to take throxine for 5 days and then go back to 100mg. Needless to say that was no help. I saw Dr S and asked if I could go onto Armour natural thyroid - I am gradually introducing this whilst still taking thyroxine, so here's hoping things will improve as I have been unwell for almost all of this year.