To supplement or not?

[distractonaught]

Hi everyone, many thanks for all your responses to my results post here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......

I've been to see my GP and he agreed that B12 needs looking into, and has offered to do the same set of tests on the NHS, which I'm grateful for.

However, his advice is to re-run the test after a course of B12 (which he also prescribed) and to only look into pernicious anaemia if the results still look low.

I can understand his reasoning and it seems a good opportunity to get this looked into, but I am also suffering a lot of symptoms I'm now thinking could be related to an absorption problem with B12 and these have been going on a long time (persistent unexplained weight loss, extreme lethargy even on stimulant medication, history of stomach problems etc).

Quite a few of you have advised me not to take any supplements before having another set of tests, so I wanted to get your advice on my doctor's suggestion before I go ahead and take the supplements.

It would obviously be good to get the same test done without paying for it, but I don't want to take the supplements if there are tests I should be doing without them in my system first. WWYD?

Many thanks all.

[Wetsuiter]

yes, i think Ive seen on here that tests for PA and B12 should be done before supplementation starts.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you ask on

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

But I am pretty certain testing for PA should be BEFORE starting on ANY B vitamins

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

However, his advice is to re-run the test after a course of B12 (which he also prescribed) and to only look into pernicious anaemia if the results still look low.

I can understand his reasoning and it seems a good opportunity to get this looked into, but I am also suffering a lot of symptoms I'm now thinking could be related to an absorption problem with B12 and these have been going on a long time (persistent unexplained weight loss, extreme lethargy even on stimulant medication, history of stomach problems etc).

I have always read that further testing should be done before any supplementation. Surely supplementing is going to alter levels and can't possibly give accurate results.

If I were you I would post your question on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum here on HealthUnlocked which is a forum dedicated to PA/B12. List all your symptoms and relevant information so that they can give you the best possible answer:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[distractonaught in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks, will do. I'm also wondering about shelling out for the private test to get it done quickly, and if it comes back negative, do what the GP suggests and monitor levels that way.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to distractonaught]

Full test for PA is expensive privately

medichecks.com/products/com...

[distractonaught in reply to SlowDragon]

I saw one that just tests for intrinsic factor and the other antibody implicated in PA. It was a lot cheaper iirc. And I already know my other levels...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you have PA you will need B12 injections, not supplements

If B12 is very low this should be several injections over 2-3 weeks ....known as loading dose

[distractonaught in reply to SlowDragon]

Agreed and the GP mentioned that possibility. I think he just wants to rule out other possibilities first. Which of course will take a lot longer.