B12 Results - Way Different

[Jutokids]

Following on from previous post.

Medichecks said my B12 had dropped -

49.6 pmol/L (37.5 - 150)

So I took a test with Superdrug and the results are -

142 pmol/L (25.1 - 165)

Help lol which is correct. I stopped my B complex which contains Biotin 2 weeks before both tests.

[shaws Administrator]

Your GP should check that you do not have Pernicious Anaemia. If you did have P.A. you would have to have regular B12 injections.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I didn't know Superdrug did tests, I know they offer phlebotomy. Which lab did Superdrug send the test to and which lab did Medichecks send their test to (it would be Inuvi or County Pathology).

Was the reply from the PA forum not helpful?

[TiggerMe in reply to SeasideSusie]

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/...

I didn't know about this service either but it's a bit pricey and not the best...

£60 for Thyroid £38.99 for B12

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to TiggerMe]

Ah, so they use TDL. Medichecks used to use them occasionally.

[Jutokids in reply to SeasideSusie]

So could the superdrug one be not reliable then? Sorry no idea about labs etc

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jutokids]

So could the superdrug one be not reliable then?

No, I wouldn't say that. I've had a couple of my tests processed by TDL, quite some time ago, and didn't find a problem.

I think it's best to stick to just one lab, different machines calibrated differently, different ranges, all means you can't compare results from different labs with any accuracy.

If the Superdrug test was after the Medichecks 49.6 result I'd be questioning why, after the previous tests show your B12 falling, has it suddenly shot up so much, unless of course you started injecting or started taking very high dose B12 supplements.

[Jutokids in reply to SeasideSusie]

The superdrug test was a week later and not started taking any B supplements or injections. I used superdrug as it said could get B12 injections through them if showed a problem but it said a figure much higher than I've ever tested before.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jutokids]

In that case I'd be contacting Superdrug, give all previous results/date/labs, etc, and ask if they can explain it.

[Jutokids in reply to SeasideSusie]

I have sent superdrug a message back on the results.Will update if I get a reply.

[Charlie27612]

I have used medichecks and they test for active b12 NOT serum b12, active b12 is the amount of b12 thats available for your body to use. I thought you had to be free of any b12 supplements or in foods for 4 months to get an accurate test. B12 serum can be high but unuseable by the body ,that may be the difference between the tests you've had

[TiggerMe in reply to Charlie27612]

I couldn't see where they clarify whether they test for total or active but assume by the range it is active?? 🤷‍♀️

[Jutokids in reply to TiggerMe]

Both tests are active B12

[TiggerMe in reply to Jutokids]

I did have a look at the Superdrug site but could find it stated?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Charlie27612]

 Charlie27612

I thought you had to be free of any b12 supplements or in foods for 4 months to get an accurate test.

That is if you want to know what your body is holding on to, to get a baseline. If you want to know what your supplement is achieving then you continue supplementing.

B12 serum can be high but unuseable by the body ,that may be the difference between the tests you've had

All the OP's tests are Active B12, you can tell by the ranges, Active B12 tests will have a narrow range, eg

Medichecks processed by County Pathology -37.5-188

Medichecks processed by Inuvi - 25.1-165

The Doctor's Laboratory (TDL) - 25.1-165

Serum (Total) B12 has much wider range, eg

Blue Horizon processed by County Pathology - 145-569 pmol/L

Blue Horizon processed by TDL back in 2018 - 197-771 pg/ml

My GP surgery - 150-900 ng/L

[Jutokids]

Superdrug Results

Superdrug Results

[Jutokids]

Medichecks Results

Medichecks Results

[TiggerMe in reply to Jutokids]

Worth questioning them both! Could be either has an issue, might get a freebie 😉

[Jutokids]

No response from superdrug yet.Monitor my health results -

ACTIVE B12

17/07/2023

54 pmol/L

Normal

FOLATE

17/07/2023

3.3 ug/L

Normal