Lesley

The AAFP paper by Robert Oh recommended by Mrs D is very good. I have several others on B12 if you are interested.

There are many other potential causes of peripheral neuropathy. You need to see a good neurologist who has a special interest in peripheral neuropathy. Unfortunately I don't know of one in Queensland or anywhere in Australia. Paul Golding who runs this website http://www.paulgolding.id.au/ is in Queensland and might be able to help you.

Peripheral neuropathy can be an early symptom of some diseases, e.g. coeliac disease and diabetes. Coeliac disease (intolerance to gluten) can cause PN without any other symptoms. There are quite good blood tests for coeliac disease. As Amit said, a good neurologist will also do tests for all sorts of autoimmune diseases and diabetes. To test for diabetes you need to have a proper glucose tolerance test (a five or seven hour test with multiple blood samples and both insulin and glucose measurements), not just a fasting blood glucose.

Some people seem to get relief from high dose methylcobalamin (5000 micrograms/day) despite not having proven B12 deficiency, so it is worth trying even if your methylmalonic acid blood test is normal. If you want to know what is going on regarding B121 it is important to have a blood sample taken for a methylmalonic acid test before you take any B12.

Martin