B12 Deficiency

[Churchy12]

Hi everyone.... just wanted some advice really, I recently had some private blood tests done through Medichecks and my vitamin B12 level came back as 49.6, I was advised by seaside Susie that anything under 70 would really warrant further investigation and she advised to get a Methylmalonic test. I went to the GP and for some reason he seemed very reluctant to offer me this test and even appeared to not really know what I was talking about, so he re-ordered the same basic Vit B12 blood test ( for in May) which is what I’ve already had done so I have got very frustrated I even printed all the literature for the test and took it back with a letter asking for the Methylmalonic acid test instead stating that this is the test the delves further in to B12 deficiency and he called me and said he still wouldn’t do it. So I wondered is it worth just going private again through medichecks and then taking the result back to him as I really don’t want to keep waiting as my symptoms just seem to be getting worse especially the ringing in my ears, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

What will a new Medichecks test show that the previous one didn't, and how will it change things with your GP?

Why do you have to wait until May for your GP to test B12?

I think part of the problem is that Medichecks do the Active B12 test and maybe your GP is not familiar with that, probably the NHS does the Serum B12 test.

You have the link that suggests an Active B12 level lower than 70 suggests that the MMA test should be carried out. Unfortunately, we can ask but can't force our doctors to do these tests.

You can do the MMA test privately with Medichecks, but why should you, it's not a cheap test.

Blue Horizon do serum B12 but that may only be part of a bundle, you would have to check with them. But would your GP accept that anyway?

Your Folate is very low as well, and as B12 and Folate work together your GP should really be investigating this.

Here is the NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary for B12 and Folate deficiency, maybe there is something in there that you can use to persuade your GP to be more helpful.

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

You could always see a different GP.

[Churchy12 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you as always I am just printing off the info from the link you sent me and will read and see the GP again ... I feel like I’m forever in the doctors