Why would my VitB12 levels increase seemingly on their own?!

[MrsMeow]

I went to my GP 3 months ago after about a year of feeling horrendous and waiting for it to go on its own. He did blood tests and my B12 level came back as 130 (normal is 200-900)

He gave me supplements - Cycobalmin or something similar and I was to have bloods repeated in 3 months time. I started the tablets but had to stop as I was feeling terrible, groggy, sick etc. I took them for maybe 4/5 days initially?

Had bloods repeated last week and results today have shown my levels are 201! I have a prebooked appt next week to discuss, the plan was if tablets didn't work, to try injections but I was going to ask if I could try sublingual drops, am happy to buy my own but wanted to discuss first.

I just don't know how my levels have increased seemingly on their own! My diet hasn't changed, I still feel just as rubbish although am trying to be more active. I know I should have stuck to the tablets but I honestly felt terrible on them (I'm a HCP - not a drama queen honest! But I couldn't focus on my work properly) the only thing I can think it may be is the fact I've had a virus and have been taking regular Berocca. But surely the minute amount wouldn't make a difference?

As I say, I'll discuss it next week with GP but just wondered in the meantime if anyone could throw some light on the matter? As much as I don't want to have to rely on supplements forever, I'm concerned that this will be it now, bloods are normal so there we go. Meanwhile I'm feeling no better and my days off shift are spent mainly sleeping ☹️

Thank you.

Did you drink Berocca regularly before your last test?

berocca IS vit B and C plus glowinthedarklevels of yellow isn't it?

I'm pretty sure there is a very decent amount of B12 in Berocca.

If you don't get injections, I recommend the "Better You" B12 spray. I take it in the last few weeks running up to my next injection.

By the way, the feeling worse may have been due to the fact that your cells/nerves etc were repairing themselves. It usually gets worse before it gets better. There is some good info online, I think it might have been a pernicious anaemia website I found that was good.

Thanks all, I think it must have been the Berocca! I was taking it certainly every shift so maybe 2 tablets 3x pw. Good to know it helps although I still feel rough but I have read that it can take a few months to notice improvement.

@hairymess thank you, I will look for the spray. Willing to try anything at this point.

Good to know about the feeling worse before better thing too. I probably should have stuck with them...

A B12 level of 200 doesn't rule out B12 defiiciency. If you've been supplementing B12 (Berocca), blood test will show falsely elevated levels, but this is the amount of B12 swimming around in your blood and doesn't reflect how well your body absorbs it. Can you try 3 months of good diet (B12 is only really found in meat, eggs and dairy or in supplemented foods like cereals) and no supplements then get it retested if you still feel rough?