GPs: how do I do this with out sounding like a know it all, accusatory or a pratt?

[KatyMac]

I have some health anxiety (about talking to professionals & appointments) & some 'white coat syndrome'

I 'think' I might have a vitamin B12 deficiency - my blood test was 151 (149 6 months ago), folate was 2.2 (2.9 6 months ago) with MCV 102 & MCH 33.7 (95 & 30.8 6 months ago)

I also have CFS, FM & IBS (definitely not coeliac blood test & biopsy)

The FM was diagnosed because I had pins & needles & joint/bone pain about 5 years ago - this is on-going

My GP says my B12 is low but fine - I'm less sure.....how do I approach this without being confrontational or arsey?

Bump

I'd be concerned about your B12 and folate especially with the raised MCV. Have you thought of getting some supplements and taking them to see if your levels go up.

Can I ask how you know your levels? Whenever I have blood tests they just say they are fine, I've never been given the details.
sorry that didn't help you!

Andi You're entitled to have a copy of your results. Under the Data Protection Act they count as your data. The more curious amongst us ask for a copy and never believe a doctor who says our results are 'normal'.

Also, blood tests don't mean a lot without the reference ranges.

Having said that, B12 needs to be at least 500, even if your range starts below 200. You look to me like someone who needs B12 injections, but I know how difficult it is to get these, or enough of these on the NHS.

I take sublingual lozenges made by Jarrow that I buy from Amazon, 1,000mcg a day.

I'm not sure (based on my reading of the NICE guidelines) that oral supplements are the way to go as there must be a reason they are so low - plus if they have been low for a while I'd need proper treatment to negate the effects

The range was 120-1100 for the most recent & 130-1100 for the one 6 months ago

You just need to ask for your results

Katy The reason oral supplements are not pushed by NICE is because a sizeable number of people who are deficient cannot absorb it from the stomach so any product that is swallowed has a high chance of not getting into the blood. That is why it is given as a sublingual lozenge or liquid as it absorbs through the lining of the mouth straight into the bloodstream.

That maybe fits with the Gastro specialist wanting to do a CT scan - I guess

I still need to bring it up with the GP