serum vit B12 573 ng/l (180 - 915)
serum folate 24.6 ug/l (4.0 - 20 (high)
serum ferritin 52 ug/l (30 - 300)
plasma cortisol level 242 nmol/l (138 - 690)
i was supplementing b12 a while ago but they were very cheap tablets and didnt feel any different so stopped taking them
Your cortisol is too low mandy72, if it was done at 9am. It's meant to be between 500 - 700 at that time of day. So your adrenals aren't happy. Have a look at this protocol:
b12d.org/sites/default/file...
A high folate without supplementing can mean a number of things:
- You have a folate rich diet
- You didn't fast for the test (docs don't know this but it needs to be fasting)
- You have B12 deficiency, the folate builds up unmetabolised
- You have MTHFR genetic defects, the folate builds up unmetabolised
- SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
If you have B12d signs and symptoms then you could seek further testing, i.e. active B12, MMA, homocysteine. Info on testing here:
b12deficiency.info/b12-test...
And the B12d treatment protocol:
b12d.org/sites/default/file...
If you believe you have adrenal and B12 problems you could contact Dr Chandy through the b12d.org/ website, they have an email address on the homepage:
"To contact Dr Chandy and the Support Group, please email notifications@b12d.net. Please note it may take 5-10 days to get a reply"
H x
Hi Hampster, it was a fasting blood test. Im going o tell dr i need a blood test to check for PA, ill have a read and do email once these kids settle, is there anything i can do to help myself or do i need to hope the drs will help as i was told blood were normal
Unfortunately most docs would think your B12 level is normal, but it's not an accurate test. It may well be fine, but that decision can't be made on that test alone. Are you symptomatic?
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
Have a read of this from point 4 onwards, follow the 2 "click here" links in point 4 it leads you to some excellent information:
b12deficiency.info/what-to-...
If you are symptomatic of B12 deficiency it might be worth getting referred for the active B12 test at St Thomas'. If you live near London you can attend for the test in person, if not the blood sample can be posted:
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
St Thomas' recognise a grey area in the active B12 result, within which they would run the MMA test. That's why it's good to get the test done by them. Or there is a private urinary MMA test here:
Sorry to steal thread.I didnt know cortisol needs be 500-700;mine was 359nmol/L and doc said theres no ref range!I am a little confused by my result as when i did saliva test it was too high in morn.But that was quite a few months ago.I'm just trying to decide whether to take adrenal glandulars or DHEA(which was low in saliva test)or pregnelonone(buttat does raise cortisol directly)..
To be honest I don't know that much about it. I was going on what the hypoadrenalism protocol said. But I think it's worth remembering that Dr Chandy is way more thorough than the average GP. He started looking into this area when he felt he was optimally treating his patients issues (including frequent B12 injections) but they were still ill or something was still missing. For example, the protocol says:
b12d.org/sites/default/file...
"When patients present with mild to moderate symptoms of possible hypoadrenalism, the GP should order early morning cortisol levels (8am – 9am fasting cortisol) along with FBC, B12, Folic Acid, Ferritin, TSH, T3, T4, Parathyroid hormone, Vitamin D, U&Es, Liver Function, blood glucose etc; in order to differentially or concurrently diagnose ME, CFS, fibromyalgia, MS-like presentation, depression, psychosis, B12 deficiency, myxodema etc."
Most people just don't get that kind of work-up, or if they do it's not interpreted properly so they don't get the right treatment.
My cortisol was also in the mid 300s, but the test was done before I got frequent B12 injections and treatment for other deficient vits/mins etc. It's a year later and I haven't been retested but I feel well, I don't feel my adrenals are an issue. Maybe they were just stressed by the fact that my PA was untreated? I don't know, I have no idea how it all ties in together.
I would recommend watching Dr Chandy's presentation about hypoadrenalism, as it explains it a bit better:
Dr Chandy has just called me and said i need either hydrocortisone 5mg split into 4 or 1 mg prendisone 4 times a day....which would be best and where to get from?.......he did say where i could get them from but i cant for the life remember
thankyou
mandy
my symptoms are
Tremor
Dizziness
decreased-blurred vision
Forgetfulness
depression
anxiety
Generalised weakness
fatigue
breathlessness
poor wound healing
my pulse is allso slow 50-65
recently ive noticed i can be fine one minute and next im sweating an feel like im really shaking and have to eat something, really thirsty, feeling like ive not had any sleep for days and headaches
i can look into private tests but i may have to rely on drs for now as money is really tight
I think you need to get them to look at your adrenals a bit more closely. Bring in Dr Chandy's hypoadrenalism protocol and tick off your symptoms in appendix A. If you can convince them to do a Short Synacthen Test (SST) make sure it is low dose. Do email Dr Chandy, B12d.org is a charity set up to help people who can't get help from their own doctors. If you're near London the active B12 test is just £18 at St Thomas', much cheaper than private testing.
You kind of described me there, except that I have a high pulse rate. Have you read Dr Peatfield's book "your thyroid and how to keep it healthy"? He talks a lot about adrenal issues. Also, have you considered ordering the saliva cortisol test from Genova or Blue Horizon? This will give you an idea what your cortisol levels are doing throughout the day. If all are low, you might consider making an appointment to see, phone or write to Dr P?
If iron low but ferritin overloaded will thyroxine be utilised?
Recent blood tests
Help with supplements please
Blood Results - (after rubbish GP visit last week)
