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Original poster

Low B12 level

22 replies

Vepippi · 30/05/2018 20:23

I’m after some advice and hoping you guys can help.
For the past few months I have been feeling just awful. Absolutely shattered (no matter how much sleep I get) feeling quite down, irritable, foggy brain, low/no libido etc.
I requested a blood test and have just seen the nurse today and gone through my blood test results.
Luckily nothing abnormal came back, but she did say that I have got a low B12 level of 181 (range from starting from 180....I didn’t see the upper cut off level) but seeing as I am just within the normal range no treatment was needed.
She was quite dismissive of it and said I could take a supplement if I wanted.
So, I don’t really know where to go from here.
What supplement is a good one to start taking? And where do I get it?
I will try and increase the foods that provide me with B12, but what else can I do to help improve my levels? I am willing to try anything so I can feel like myself again.
Any advice and top tips gratefully received Smile

Sorry about the about the epic post!

OP posts:
timeistight · 30/05/2018 20:47

Post this on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum on Health Unlocked. They will be able to advise you.

Sweetandkind · 31/05/2018 18:38

You need further testing. Thats too low. Folk at heathunlocked can advise. Did gp test other things like vit d, iron, thyroid? Even celiacs?

monty09 · 31/05/2018 18:41

I have low b12 and have injections for it every 3 months will be on it for life

Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 18:53

Are you coming up to the peri menopause OP.

Re the normal levels, I vaguely remember someone mentioning that the NHS "normal" levels are their normal but still quite high.

Original poster
Vepippi · 31/05/2018 19:49

Thanks for the replies everyone.
She tested me for a lot of things, all of the things you mention above Sweetandkind
She said she was happy with all the results and wasn’t even particularly bothered about the B12 level. She didn’t mention Celiacs.
Not sure about peri menopause Vitalogy have just turned 41. How would I know if it was that? (sorry, if I sound a bit dim!)
She didn’t really go into much detail, she just quickly read through it and was satisfied that nothing was flagging up red on my results. I feel a bit daft now that I didn’t ask more questions. I did feel a bit rushed.
It was the practice nurse that I saw, so maybe I need to book an appt with the GP and go through it with them....they may decide on actually treating me.

OP posts:
Haudyerwheesht · 31/05/2018 19:56

My levels were 130 and because of it being consistently low and also because I was having symptoms associated with nerve damage I’m now on 3 monthly injections for life which make a difference. Did they check your folate levels?

Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 21:37

There are a lot of possible symptoms with per menopause, those that you mentioned fit, plus your age.

Definitely go to GP though. I took a list of my symptoms and questions
because I knew I wouldn't remember everything when I was in with the doctor Grin

Vitalogy · 31/05/2018 21:38

ps, hope you get some answers and feel better soon.

Original poster
Vepippi · 31/05/2018 22:06

Thank you Vitalogy
Oh God, I hadn’t even considered anything like peri menopause.
I defo think an appt with my GP is in order, I will go armed with a list and try not to be rushed or fobbed off!

OP posts:
Ollivander84 · 01/06/2018 00:51

If you're ok absorbing it, I took a multi vit called natures gold. There's a few types but I was using the chewable ones
Anyway I went for bloods and it came back scribbled on the test "patient on b12 injections? B12 level out of top range" Blush
And the only thing I was doing was taking that multi vit

inashizzle · 01/06/2018 00:57

Watching as dd 19 has every symptom despite taking b12 supplements and good diet. Awaiting blood test. Has been fobbed off as I saw it last time; she was told they didn't want to put her through injections so young as they're awfulConfused

swingofthings · 01/06/2018 07:28

The best to do is to buy sublingual (under the tongue) tablets. The reason is that Vit B12 is better absorbed this way than with tablets as indeed, deficiencies are often due to poor absorption. I believe H&B sell them, at least one line.

Pinktails · 01/06/2018 07:41

Phone the GP reception and ask for a printed copy of the tests plus the ranges op.

Pinktails · 01/06/2018 07:41

*test results

CrazyHippo · 01/06/2018 07:42

Did they check your folate levels? I was the same for a while.. boarderline b12 results. Then a dr checked my folate levels to be very very low. Now im medicated on folic acid and my b12 has risen

polkadotpixie · 01/06/2018 07:48

181 is too low. Mine was 201 and continuing to drop despite oral supplementation so I now have to have injections every 12 weeks for life

9amTrain · 02/06/2018 09:04

Yeah B12 result alone isn't enough we need to see everything especially folate as they work together.

180 is not normal I don't care what the NHS says. Japan for instance treats below 500.

Original poster
Vepippi · 03/06/2018 09:27

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate all the replies.
So, my plan of action is to get print out of results and book drs appt. this week. In the meantime I have got a vit B complex supplement which I started taking on Friday. I figured it couldn’t do any harm to start that.
I will report back as soon as I have some news.

OP posts:
Sweetandkind · 03/06/2018 12:32

If you start supplementing it will skew results of further testing, so good to be aware. It would be better to have pernicious anaemia test done first. I know people with that condition can end up in range on b12 supplements but not actually feel better.

DragonMamma · 03/06/2018 22:43

My b12 was 92 when I was tested and I was experiencing very real neurological defects. I don’t have PA, I am just deficient.
Injections every 3 months are of no use for me (as with many other patients) so my GP has put me on every 8 weeks instead but I need them monthly but they can’t without haematology’s in put.

I also had to take 5mg of folic acid for 3 months as that was low too.

Original poster
Vepippi · 04/06/2018 20:22

So, got my print out and a GP appt booked for next week.
The B12 is 181 (range 180-900)
My serum folate level is 5.3 (range 4-20) so would I be right in thinking that looks low too?
Is there anything else I should be looking at?

OP posts:
9amTrain · 04/06/2018 20:52

Both B12 and folate are low

I'd get your Vitamin D and ferritin checked too

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