Vit B12 and Zinc low

By standing on my head I can see that your Folate Level is 8.3µg/L in the range 3.9µg/L to 26.8µg/L so in my (unqualified) opinion it's a bit on the low side so if you are, or do, supplement your B12 you may need to take folic acid for a few months and then get it tested again.

Serum Folate used to be measured in ng/ml and I guess the new µg/L standard would produce a figure 20% lower than before. It's only an "advice" to your doctor to be aware of the change in standard not that you are 20% "lower" than before.

I hope this helps

is that a pix of Clivealive? lol

Yes sorry about my technical incompetence guys lol! X

And I had been taking b12 supplements at that time. So I am not taking any at the moment because we want to test it again in January without supplements to see what it does at thst point.

Come back on here when you get the results and let us know how your doctor decides to treat you.

In the meanwhile here is a list of "reasons" why you might have become B12 deficient in the first place.  See if you can see yourself.

Who’s at greatest risk for B12 Deficiency?

Anyone at any age, can become B12 deficient. However, certain people are at an elevated risk. They include the following:

"Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.

People aged sixty and over

People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).

People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications that can interfere with B12 absorption.

People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.

People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).

People with a history of alcoholism.

People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.

People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).

People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.

People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.

Women with a history of infertility or multiple miscarriages."

Yo will see I've highlighted the P.A. connection.  This doesn't mean to say  that you have P.A. but it can be inherited. 

Well I've got about three factors there. Family history...auto immune disease (Behcet's) and also the possibility that long term use of interferon has maybe caused me a problem. The rest of it doesn't apply to me. No diabetes no drug use history and I have been known to have a g+t but not in those scales. Bowel problems associated with auto immune disease but even that has been very well controlled with the regime I am on currently so that has not been a problem for over 3 years now. No surgery or anorexia. 

They will repeat the blood test in January to see what it looks like then. I will update you once I know the outcome of that. Thanks for your help. 

Sadly I struggled for 13 years between gastric surgery in 1959 and my eventual diagnosis of P.A.by which time I was a walking Zombie and I wouldn't wish that for anybody.

However there is life after P.A. and I'm still "clivealive" at 75. 

hi Clive, Can I ask you for an opinion on this....I know you're not a medic but you certainly seem to have a good knowledge about vit b12. So there is a chance I assume that the interferon use has affected my vit b12 and zinc. So is it possible do you think, that this could recover. I know we're all guessing here but essentially what I am asking is, if that has affected my b12 could it be temporary and could it possibly build back up again? Just wondering. 

I will private message you

Hi Margaret, Hi Clive,

According to the USA I looked up, yes.

Watch for MerryJuliana, she is a nurse practitioner in the USA

Thanks for that. I am slowly feeling better after stopping interferon 2 months ago. And no return of Behcet's symptoms so it has brought a remission. I hope it"s a long one!

I hope so too!!

Clive I wanted some advice please if you'd be kind enough to take time. I had a repeat of blood test. Last blood test my b12 was 203. This one 213.

My gp is saying she would have referred me for a tissue test if it was below 200. But she is referring me to a hematologist.

So a count of 213. I don't know what to make of this. I appear to have peripheral neuropathy. Brain scan next week. My muscles are sore and achy. My gums are receding and bleeding. All in all I am feeling awful. Wondered what you'd make of that b12 result.

If only doctors would look at their patients instead of their computer screens.  Can you quote the ranges <from - to> that the lab used for your B12?

I'm guessing that anything above the "magic figure" of 200 your doctor mentioned is "flagged" NORMAL. Sadly we are not all "normal" and if I remember rightly you have a family history of P.A.

Are you feeling worse because you have stopped supplementtin B12 becaus of the test?

 

Yes. I stopped any supplements I was taking after last test. I am feeling worse all the time. Yes she said over 200 was considered normal. She said I am on the low side of normal. She has referred me to a hematologist. Will this help? I am not sure what to do now.

So I also want to add my gp also commented on the fact that my red blood cells are enlarged. This was first noted around 6 months ago. I had a blood test at hospital for unrelated matter.My specialist asks me about it and asks if I'm drinking too much. I say no to that. 

My gp mentioned it yesterday. She didn't ask me if I was drinking too much. I said to her, can that be related to b12 problems and she says 'yes'. I am not sure how to challenge this now. If I am going to a hematologist I am hoping they better understand what is happening with me. Well I am hoping that anyway. 

Clive, and anyone else looking in on this post....I joined the Pernicious Anemia Society who gave me guidelines to give to my GP. I am starting B12 injections this Friday and hope to feel better. Very tired and run down with a cold now I can't shift. Hoping this lifts me a bit and I feel more like myself. Thanks for all your helpful advice. 

I am so pleased that you are at last getting the treatment you need and deserve.

Please keeep an eye on your Folate as this gets used up and is essential to process the B12 you are having injected.

Be aware that some symptoms may appear to get worse before they get better as the B12 starts to repair the damage done to your nervous system.

I hope your cold clears up quickly and that you soon begin to feel the benefits of the B12.  Take care.

I too am a member of The Pernicious Anaemia Society and have been for 7 years

Thanks I will do. Do you think the lingering cold can be b12 related? Just can't shake it. Not like me.

If your general health is below par then colds can drag on a bit but I doubt it's down to the B12 deficiency.

Think positive - you are at last on the right road to recovery.

Night night.