Any B12 experts around to look at my numbers?

[miserableandworried]

All these numbers are in the “acceptable” bracket but on the low side according to the chart. Could these numbers at these levels cause neurological problems?

Serum B12 -307 ngl
Folate -10 ugl
ferritin -31 ngl
Platelets-170

I went for blood tests due to neuropathy in my legs and arms and bone tiredness.

My b12 was half that a while ago. I know disaster
I was put on 1000mcg and when it went up to 250 the doctor said the nhs wouldnt offer any more treatment as it was within guidelines.

I now take 1200mcg in spray format to raise the levels

There's an excellent article questioning the low levels that the nhs deem acceptable. It’s from The National Library of Medicine
You will see figures recommended above your levels.
It also explains how, with hardly any research, the nhs acceptable levels have been determined

can’t link I’m afraid. but I’d google the title and you’ll find it. It’s a long but interesting read

Ps. Did the doctor suggest iron rich foods or supplements.

The ferritin levels are quite low

Ferritin is a bit low, the other results are fine.

Did they also check your thyroid and for coeliac disease?

Thyroid was 1.2 which is apparently in the ok range.

Thank you I’ll have a look at the article. I’ve not had my follow up appointment yet, the results were just uploaded to the NHS app.

You can get B12 Injections at lots of pharmacies. I have them. I don’t know my levels anymore but know the injections really help me!

I use sublingual B12 which works as well as the injections for me. Mine was 250 ish and I had numbness, pins and needles etc. Definitely improved after a course of injections to bring it up to 800ish. Its now commonly 900-1000 from taking the occasional very high strength tablet dissolved under my tongue (I use Jarrow ones which come in various strengths and flavours - by getting the highest strength then I can boost my levels without needing to take a tablet daily. Given that some of them are e.g. 40,000 x daily recommended dose I’m assuming it’s very difficult to take too much! As a water soluble vitamin I believe any excess is just peed out.).

Her vitamin B12 results are normal. She doesn’t need any supplements.

And like you, I was told my bottom of the range levels were fine. But I didn’t feel fine. My bum cheeks, face cheeks thighs and toes were all regularly numb, plus I lost my ability to orgasm, it was more of a painful throb than any kind of pleasure. B12 level increasing fixed that issue.

Reference range: B12 <145ng/L: likely deficiency, commence investigation & treatment; 145-180ng/L: possible deficiency. If clinical findings suggest deficiency.

The OP’s level is 307ngl.

the results might be "normal" according to the NHS but the levels are set woefully low in the UK, a lot of countries will give injections if below 500

I have mine now through Vitajab, I cannot absorb and was on them for years until covid and GP stopped them, I feel so much better when I have had a jab, I go every 10 weeks, it was 12 last time and I felt so ill.

I think that’s the issue. The blood tests only measure freely available b12, and not whether it’s being absorbed or not. And even so, I don’t seem to have a right lot considering the high end of normal Is nearly 1000.

The NHS numbers do seem to be low compared to other countries. Maybe if you’re alive, that’s enough for them!

I think I’m going to trial a supplement and see if the neuropathy gets better. It’s driving me insane.

How do you know your more current levels of b12. My gp wouldnt test again after mine reached 250 after I’d been on tablets
Do you go private for further testing updates.

If you read the article I posted upthread. The First post I believe. You’ll see the figures deemed acceptable by the U.K. are under question.

What the NHS considers normal is suboptimal. It's a problem I hope they address soon - there have been calls for them to look at it again.

I started a b12 supplement today. Hopefully it’ll help my burning legs.

Aaarrr !!!
I meant to post this and now you’ve already been shopping

Vitamin D is also great for leg etc pain. I had back pain for years and during covid started taking d3 ( and k2 you have to take both together ). After 20years of back pain it was gone. I didn’t take it because of the pain I took it on advice re Covid. My gp confirmed vit d is good for this type of pain.

My B12 is 196 with a family history of pernicious anaemia, folate is ‘undetectable’. Whole raft of symptoms (including neuro - ataxia and neuropathy) and still struggling to get bloody injections. God knows why. Got told to buy B12 and got given 4 months of folic acid.

look into getting an injection at a pharmacy, mine is £29