B12 Test Results

Hi Anita, thanks for the swift reply. Yes, the doctor's receptionist described the level as "normal", but I'm wary.

I read somewhere that 500 plus is the true minimum level, that between 190 and 500 tablets are sometimes prescribed (if you can absorb them), and below 190 is emergency jabs.

When I was last tested (one month after a course of 6 jabs over 2 weeks) it was 827. It seems to have fallen very steeply indeed, and I think am experiencing some symptoms. Trouble is, I've had B12 deficiency for so long that I no longer know quite how I SHOULD feel.

I'm 58, not yet menopausal, and as recently as 4 years ago, people used to say to me "you look incredibly young for your age". But within those 4 years, I've gained several stone, become stiff and aching, my periods have stopped, and I have very little energy or muscle strength. My skin, hair and nails have deteriorated, as has my sight, hearing and memory.

To be honest, I thought I was perimenopausal or just getting old. It was only when I reached breaking point and went to the doctor for a blood test that I realised it might be B12 deficiency. Since the jabs, my periods have returned and I've improved, but I'm still not my old self.

It is as if the NHS writes you off in your 50's and is happy to condemn you to a half existence and an early death.

I'm making a further appointment to see the doctor, with a view to obtaining more B12. I know it will be a struggle. If I'm refused, I'll be looking to self-inject or use B12 oils. Have you any experience of these?

Just to follow up: I've tried, but I can't get an appointment with my doctor until 22nd September! That's a 17 day wait - I thought that wasn't allowed. I'm going to contact the gastro consultant I saw on 2nd July. According to the practice receptionist, the results of his tests for PA, still don't appear on my records, over two months later. I think he should be told about my B12 results.

Bluemaran, i am 52 and menopausal and some of the symtoms of this can be similiar to b12/pa defiency ie joint pain, weight gain, palpitations etc.You are lucky that you are so late as can not be nice.When i was first diagnosed 3 years ago my level was 149 and the docs rang me straightaway to go in that day for first injection, i did have neurological symtoms ie raging tinnitus , pins and needles, as well as extreme tiredness that meant i could barely get up and everything exhausted me.Doc said it was PA due to low level and enlarged red blood cells.I did recover but took a while but notice how exhausted i become 4 weeks after my injection.Saying that i manage, work etc so life is soBack  much better.I also sublinqual b12 s which help ,i take a high dose so i get some benefit even though my body cant absorb b12.Before start of treatment i had lost a lot of weight was very thin and couldnt put back on until start of treatment but still quite slim.Anyway thought i would tell you a bit about myself to give you a picture of how it was for me.When docs look at whether you are deficient or not they look at whether you are in the ref range for b12 level and although you can be if you are still on the lower end of normal you can have symtoms, that is why you should be treated for symtoms rather than what your level isAlthogh you say your level was high at the beginning and then dropped steeply you will find this happens to a lot of people as the weeks go by and they get nearer to their 12 weekly injection hence the reason why some need them more frequently and inject themself

To follow on the symtoms you are having could be linked to menopause but as you say you are not at this stage yet so when you go back to your doc stress your symtoms to him and make him listen.I looked back at your first post and your level had got so low again because you had not had an injection for over 3 months.You also need to know whether your defiency is due to pa or dietry etc.Also the time you have to wait to see your doc is far too long, can you not ring up on the morning and get an emergency appointment ?.I hope i explained things well bluemaran, but can i say there are some wonderful support and information sites out there that will give you a good understanding of this defiency so you can get the appropriate treatment for.Good luck and feel free to contact me if you need any more info

When my B12 deficiency was spotted, I was referred for a gastroscopy. But the specialist felt it wasn't necessary. That was the start of July. I still havn't received the blood test results he took, so spoke to his secretary today. The letter I know he dictated a month ago was said to have been "posted to me today". Apparently, it says I have low ferritin (8), even though it was taken just before my periods returned, after a whole year of none. He's changed his mind and now wants to do the gastro after all. I asked for him to be passed my B12 test results, and am arranging to see him immediately, without waiting to discuss it with my GP. The practice seems to be in disarray. There's a complete breakdown of communication between GP and specialist, and a huge amount of time-wasting. If I don't chase both constantly, nothing ever gets done, and I have to carry my test results on paper from one to another or they never see them.

I have a very good diet (I farm) with lots of red meat, eggs and green veg, and no gastric symptoms. I'm still waiting for the IFA and PC indicators for PA.