Was told by homeopathic doctor that the Methylmalonic test for pernicious anaemia or B12 def would cost £340 is that right I thought it was

[mariolin]

£190, Was also given a prescription which contained 40 different supplements one of which is Vit B12 be it a small dose,but if I took that it would still skew the test. Would anybody comment.

[helvella Administrator]

It will depend on where the test is done and how you access it. For example, Blue Horizon have B12 plus methylmalonic acid for £155. Go to the site below and search for "methylmalonic":

bloodtestinglondon.co.uk/

Do double-check it is an Active B12 test before ordering.

If you are a TUK member, ask for the relevant discount!

Of course, if the doctor was offering to get the test done for you, he would be in a position of putting his own mark-up on it. NHS costs/internal cross-charges might be very different.

I don't feel qualified to say anything about the effect of small doses of B12. Contact whoever you are thinking of getting to do the test to ask.

Rod

[mariolin in reply to helvella]

Rod thank you for your reply and apologies for my late response not well keep having to rest .

I checked Blue Horizon on the link you gave, it came up straight away

Methylmalonic Acid test £155

MMA 24hr urine test. £ 95

MMA serum test. £. 95

will check with BH what the prices include.

Had the active B12 test a while back (result within range) I didn't realise they did an MMA test their catalogue very extensive.

£340 quoted by homeopathic doc seems outrageous,but as you say if arranging the test himself he is in a position of putting his own mark up on it. Thank you for your help

[angelharley]

Look on Blue Horizon or Spire Hospitals....Think the MMA Blood test is about £80

[mariolin in reply to angelharley]

Angelharley checked blue horizon on link Helvella gave.three different prices.thank you for responding appreciated

[shaws Administrator]

If this is an Active B12 blood test, I had one done at St Thomas' Hospital for £18. No appointment was needed, only a letter from GP.

[mariolin in reply to shaws]

No it is MMA test, I had the active B12 test by BlueHorizon, unfortunately the GP will not oblige and give me are referral to St.

Thomas' hence my attempt at getting it privately.thanks

[Hidden]

Have you checked out your homeopathic doctor's credentials? I understand some folk being keen to avoid conventional medicine - indeed, I staved off recurring hyperthyroidism myself for several years with homeopathy - but if you're being perceived first and foremost as a revenue stream then you need to ask your homeopathic doc and yourself some hard questions. Homeopathy can get pricey. I couldn't afford to go that route now. Oddly, one is in the homeopathic doctor's hands even more than one is in the hands of a conventional doctor: the HD professes to know what you need in a way you cannot check. At least with the conventional doc you can check (on this site!) what the results of blood tests mean.

[mariolin]

Homeopathic doc recommended by reputable association. I sought his advice for severe gut problems IBS ?leaky gut etc and possible B12 def.I am not sure to whether to continue with his advice so many supplements combined in one capsule (40 different ones ) in one of the capsules and I react to so many supplements. My situation is complicated by adrenal and hypothyroid probs.I am undecided about this doc may decide not to follow his advice. Not at all well need to rest very frequently.

Thank you for your input.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to mariolin]

If it helps, homeopathy has no side effects, though I've never heard of remedies being combined in a capsule - ?

[puncturedbicycle]

Sorry I just reread your post and am I correct in assuming that b12 is one of the supplements in your capsule? This doesn't sound like homeopathy. Is it possible he's a naturopath or something else?

On one hand, you're meant to stop supplementing before a b12 test to get an accurate result; on the other hand, b12 is excreted quickly so a small dose might not matter, but it brings to mind other questions, such as: 1) if you may be deficient, why has the practitioner put you on a small dose and 2) can he not advise you correctly as to whether or not it would be appropriate to take the capsule when you are scheduled for a test?

[mariolin in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Sorry for my late reply to your kind response to my post ,difficult to cope at present need to rest frequently.

I think as you say the doc is a naturopath as well as a homeopath I saw him because I was told he would help with the B12 issue and of course

I saw him also because of his interest gastrointestinal issues. I don't think he will be able to help.I have given a more detailed explanation re the supplements that were prescribed on Hampster 1 post if it is possible for you to view it and if you're interested.I don't think I will go ahead and take those supplements,waste of money I know It's a shame.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to mariolin]

Don't worry - when we're desperate to feel better we try allsorts. Think of all the gp disasters people write about here. You have to kiss a lot of frogs, etc.

[Hidden]

You can get a urinary MMA test here, it is meant to be more accurate than serum (according to Could It Be B12?):

medichecks.com/index.cfm?s=...

If you get serum MMA done at St Thomas' (with GP referral letter) it's £96 I believe. The price you've been asked to pay is ridiculous. And it is best not to take any supplements when you are still having diagnostic tests done.

Not thinking much of this doc, what on earth are the 40 different supplements? Is he hedging his bets that one of then will do the trick???

A link to help you whilst trying to get a diagnosis:

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

[mariolin in reply to Hidden]

Hampster1 sorry for what appears to be a late reply to your response.I did reply twice before,but due to severe brain fog and inexperience with IT skills the message has disappeared. I just don't want you to think I am ungrateful for your input,thank you also for the links you posted medichecks.com/index.cf and b12 deficiency.info/what.. Lots of good info in both.

Can't get the MMA test at St Thomas' as GP refused to do a referral letter. Re the supplement (though after such a long time I am sure you have lost interest) it is meant to be an energy booster containing 44 different ingredients it is a German product bit difficult to decipher

many naturopathic ingredients,minerals and six vitamins one of which is

Cynocobalamine and though in a small amount ,as you say, it is best not to take when I am trying to get a test and diagnosis.

Will contact medichecks for a private MMA test. Thank you