B12 Elevated

[fjh29]

Hi, I need some help understanding my B12 results, my Doctor phoned me to say my B12 is elevated and to do another test on the 7 September, but I'm googling and it's frightening me.

But then I'm thinking if it was really bad I would be referred!

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Kind regards

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

fjh29

You posted this 3 months ago:

and B12 my levels are low so the Dr told me to buy vitamin tablets.

Have you been supplementing with B12 - if so how much - or a B Complex?

What was the result when doctor said B12 was low and told you to buy tablets?

[fjh29]

289 The doctor has told me to stop talking B12 for 4 weeks then have another blood test.

My result now is 1427 if I'm reading my b12 results correct

[greygoose in reply to fjh29]

Don't worry about it. It's not a problem having high B12 if it comes from tablets. Excess is excreted.

[fjh29 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply.

Even though my B12 result is 1427? It's off the scale

[greygoose in reply to fjh29]

Well, it is on that range, but ranges vary. Honestly, don't worry. Just stop taking it for a while and the level will come down. It's water-soluble, so you'll just pee out what your body doesn't need.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to fjh29]

I get B12 injections every 2 months and when I last got a load of bloods taken mine was over 2000. The GP wasnt bothered although the lab did slap his wrist as its a pointless test when you're on injections. Its going to be very high, that's the point of the jabs.

[fjh29 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thank you for your reply, it's helped me to understand

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to fjh29]

fjh29

So it looks as though supplementing has done a good job. Drop off the B12 now and just continue with B Complex, that should hopefully maintain a good level. You should have been taking a B Complex with the B12 to keep all the B vitamins balanced.

[fjh29 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your help thank you so much

I'm hopeless, so if I start taking it again I need to B complex.

Thank you very much

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As your serum B12 is now over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just take a good quality daily vitamin B complex

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help maintain B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Other options

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

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)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Hairloss

You need Full iron Panel test for anaemia including ferritin

Has GP done this

Please add most recent results

Also what are your most recent Ft4 and Ft3 results

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply and information

Here is my B12 blood result

B12 blood result

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

So your folate is dire at 4 (3.9-20)

Definitely need daily vitamin B complex

Ferritin is often high with Graves’ disease and/or post menopause

Your iron levels are fine

No vitamin D test result ?

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, no Vitamin D results I don't know why because this was requested by the Doctor, I will mention it when I have my next blood test.

Thank you for all your help.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

They hate testing vitamin D

It’s relatively expensive and they avoid testing if at all possible and will only test once every 2 years

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh, I didn't know this, I will ask my Doctor.

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

Try to get GP to test initially

Just test via NHS private service going forward

vitamindtest.org.uk

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

So my folate is low?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

Yes …..all but deficient

Just 0.1 point away from being deficient at bottom of range

But because it’s (just) within range …down to you to self supplement

Aim to maintain at top of range by taking daily vitamin B complex

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your help I will start to take Vitamin B complex.

I honestly didn’t know, I just thought taking B12 was all I needed.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fjh29]

NHS only tests for and treats vitamin deficiencies

With thyroid disease we need optimal vitamin levels

Down to us as individuals to maintain optimal vitamin levels

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol and between 100-125nmol may be better

Serum B12 at least over 500

Folate near top of range

[fjh29 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for helping me understand I really appreciate.