B12 Question

[Jutokids]

HiI was diagnosed October 2021.

My question revolves around B12.

At diagnosis from GP tests -

Serum vitamin B12 level 411 ng/L [187.0 - 883.0]

Serum folate level 3.9 ug/L [2.7 - 15.0]

I believe this to be total B12.

Anyway I been getting tests from medichecks roughly every 6 months and my B12 is just dropping despite taking a B complex which contains folate - 400mcg and B12 - 500mcg plus I take a separate B12 - 1mg.

Medichecks I believe is active B12 and the results are -

Folate -

5.41 ug/L - Feb 23

11.7 ug/L - July 23

B12 -

69.3 pmol/L (37.5 - 150) - Feb 23

49.6 pmol/L (37.5 - 150) - July 23

Am I just not taking enough? Is this something I should be concerned about?

I still have shortness of breath and generally feel unwell but I just put that down to thyroid. My latest results are -

TSH - 0.12 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2) - July 23

T3 - 5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) - July 23

T4 - 23.3 pmol/L (12-22) - July 23

I know if I go to GP and they retest thyroid they'll take away my increase I fought hard to get lol. I'm on 125mcg so maybe I should drop to 112.5mcg?

Any help grateful for. Just when I thought I was on top of everything, I don't really understand B12 lol.

Thanks

[ockerdoc]

Hi Jutokids some people just don’t absorb it very well unfortunately it could be genetic or autoimmune..can you find somewhere to have injections? I had to start having injections as I was borderline low even though I eat beef eggs etc everyday. The injections are really helping. I ‘very also been having Vit D injections.

[greygoose]

You might get better information about B12 on the Pernicious Anemia forum:

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[McPammy]

I get B12 injections every 3 months as mine was under range. I think my issue is that I don’t eat meat. But my partner doesn’t eat meat either and their B12 is normal. So it might be the thyroid issue and poor absorption. My GP organises my injections. Looking at you T4 you could do with dropping it slightly as you are over range. This might improve things for you.

[Jutokids in reply to McPammy]

My T4 has only just gone over range. It never has been before. May be because I've lost weight. So I am going to drop my Levo by 12.5 a day.I eat meat and take a ton of B12 but don't seem to be absorbing it. Just keeps dropping lol

[McPammy in reply to Jutokids]

if you didn’t take your Levo meds before the blood draw and it’s over range in the results It will also spike after taking your Levo. If this is happening each day then your TSH will suppress indicating you’re taking too much, a small drop in dose could benefit you. We are all different I guess. I do know that if my T4 level or T3 level goes too high I feel pretty bad. I try to keep my levels ‘adequate’ rather than flooding. And keep my TSH just within range. You can get B12 from health shops with quite a high concentration. They are pink and taste like raspberry but I can’t remember the brand name just now. My B12 is always very high now due to b12 injections.

[Baggy8]

Your B12 doesn't seem of concern at the moment, but keep monitoring. The answer about sourcing a B12 injection as a one off could give you an answer. If your symptoms improve substantially you have your answer that lack of B12 is the culprit - or not. Then perhaps try a higher dose sublingual B12 supplement and see if that maintains your improvement. Hopefully so. However, if your levels then continue to fall and symptoms recur even with the supplements it would be time to visit your GP to discuss ongoing injections. But from now onwards, keep a symptom diary, it's too easy to sit in front of a doctor and find you've dried up!! By taking the tablets or drops before visiting the GP, you are already taking the route they will initially suggest. I know this is off topic for this forum, but hope it's helpful. Any more questions nip over to the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum. 😉

[annnsandell]

Obviously not of any concern at the moment but as has been suggested, keep an eye on it. Are you having any B12 deficiency signs, they are quite distinctive.? Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Many multi-vitamins are not very high in anything, try a higher B12. B12 absorbtion relies on healthy stomach acids.

[Jutokids in reply to annnsandell]

I am not vegetarian or vegan. I am not taking multi vitamins. I am taking a B complex plus extra B12. Everything else has risen, my vitamin D is the best it's been and ferritin.

[Sneedle in reply to Jutokids]

A lot of really good advice here and I'm following as I'm in a similar position with dropping B12. And folate for that matter.I've joined the PA group and they are fab like this group.

If you post your results there I'm pretty sure they'll suggest looking into it further as the latest one has dipped below 70.

That seems to be a point at which further investigation is recommended. I'm not sure why.

My Medichecks B12 result of 60.4 meant the Medichecks doctor suggested an MMA test. I'm still mulling this while banging on my gp's door to get them to look at everything.

ie. me and my results, not just the latter😬🙂

My daughter has a 45 level plus symptoms despite supplementing and is having blood tests today and gp wants to try injections.

Breathlessness is a B12 D symptom. Hard to know if that or thyroid as you say.

Maybe see you over on the PA group!

🌸

[SecondAngel]

Vitamin B is tricky thyroid.org/patient-thyroid... I stopped taking it as a supplement because of odd thyroid blood tests (staying high despite the Dr repeatedly reducing my levo dose) turns out Vitamin B can give you an inaccurate thyroid function blood test result. Something to be aware of....