If you are that low, have elevated MMA, and have symptoms, you should be getting injections.
Even if oral B12 is sufficient for you in the longer term, you are deferring the time to reach adequate blood B12 levels, and accumulating further damage until you get there.
I do realise that this might not be easy - all too many have difficulty in persuading their GP of their need.
I also recommend posting on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum:
The possibility that oral B12 has some impact but undermines your reasonable argument for at least a course of injections;
That any further B12 testing will be affected by the recent oral B12. But as you already have a seriously low B12 and high MMA, this might not be an issue.
If oral B12 can affect Intrinsic Factor antibody testing - I can't remember the latest views on this.
My mother's GP told her she needed no more B12 injections. Both my sister and I thought that was 'good'.
Never in a million years would I have thought that my mother would die of stomach cancer that I place at the GPs' feet as he stopped her B12 injections.
Always be wary and double-check that you're doing the right thing. You should have been checked that you don't have pernicious anaemia and if so that you're prescribed optimum medication. I have P.A. and a couple of other autoimmune conditions.
yes, I have seen your sad story. I’ve been told I have nothing wrong with me a few times now too. It feels lonely and confusing to have to battle the doctor, so I’m glad the forum is here. But it takes a long time finding stuff out and going back and forth with medical people.
Is there any need to more tests for PA? As I understand it they can never be sure you don’t have it even with negative antibody tests.
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and add a separate vitamin B Complex after a weekÂ
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a weekÂ
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12
Note that improving folate when B12 is very low is not a good idea. Taking folate before B12 is good enough can lead to severe neurological problems.
If you are known to have an MTHFR problem you should avoid folic acid completely and take methylfolate. Folic acid has to be converted into methylfolate before the body can make use of it but people with MTHFR problems can't do the conversion very well. Note that some people cannot tolerate large doses of methylfolate all in one go, at least for a while. They have to take tiny doses and build up tolerance.
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