Is it worth doing pernicious anemia test with active B12 of 68?

[Carrie234]

I'm working on getting my levels of B12, folate, ferritin and D up to ideal levels, if I can, for my thyroid.

I recently got a B12 result from monitor my health of 68 pmol/L (range 38-210).

I have read that you can still have B12 deficiency even if your B12 is around my level (I heard over 70 is needed).

I am thinking of trying some B12 supplementation to get my levels up.

Before I do that, I was thinking of getting the medichecks pernicious anemia test, to find out if I do actually have any issue with B12 while I'm still getting all my B12 from my diet.

Is it worth getting this test, or does an active B12 result of 68 mean it's not necessary?

Thanks very much.

[J972]

I would personally be pursuing further tests but have you tried your GP? And have you been over to the pernicious anaemia forum on this site? Might be worth sharing a post.

Have you read through the recently revised pernicious anaemia NICE guidelines? nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239

Good luck

[Carrie234 in reply to J972]

Many thanks J972! I haven't tried my GP.

I will try the pernicious anemia forum and post my question there too.

I just read through the guidelines you linked thank you. I see that Between 25 and 70 pmol per litre is "Indeterminate test result – possible vitamin B12 deficiency", so at 68 it seems like a good idea to get the MMA test (in the medichecks set of tests) to confirm it.

[J972 in reply to Carrie234]

What level was your folate?

Incidentally, it’s super important that you don’t supplement either B12 or folate until you’ve had tests.

[Carrie234 in reply to J972]

My folate is very low - 3 micro g /L (range 3-25).

I have not been supplementing B12 at all, so it's an ideal time to test before I start any B12 supplement.

I have not been supplementing folate, but I have massively increased my dietary food folate for the past 3 weeks which is the equivalent of a daily supplement. (long story, but basically I'm intolerant to every form of supplemental folate even in small doses - I tried 4 forms).

[J972]

Crikey, that is low!

Definitely share a post on the PAS site, someone will be along to guide you. Wishing you all the best.

[Carrie234 in reply to J972]

I know, pretty low! 😄

I'm hoping I'll start feeing much better, and even get my T3 and T4 up, by fixing my folate levels.

I want to get to 14 micro g /L ...