Information overload and confused about B12 test results, help?
 

Hi.

Im very new to this forum, found it while researching B12. I know I am a complete stranger but if anyone can offer help with my B12 test results I would love it.

Im not sure you want my long story so I will just say I have peripheral neuropathy symptoms and no dr diagnosed me but instead 2 doctors have said its from thyroid, which I am now taking Nature throid for.

I have went on to research for myself and was so sure I found my answer in B12 and was sure I must be low. So I took myself to a lab and ordered a blood serum b12 test and a blood MMA test. They do not offer the active b12 test that I wanted.

My results:

B12 serum >3000 pg/mL High Range 193-982
MMA
Methylmalonic Acid >0.08 nmol/mL Range >0.40



That is exactly what the results read.

3000 B12 Blood serum??? That is crazy, its like super high, what in the world does this mean for me??? I feel lost and back to the drawing board now. I was so sure B12 was my answer.

Oh, and this test was taken BEFORE ever taking any form of B12 at all.

thank you if you reply.

I dont know much this, but I noticed two blood tests I had for B12 were widely different in the same week, and the neurologist told me that some pathologists use different anaylitical instruments with the tests hence such wide results, and I make sure I usually use a particular pathology group in Melbourne as more reliable. What did the doctor say? I must admit I work for a company that makes their own analytical instruments, ie spectrophotometers, and I had no idea that results tested varied depending on the instrument used. You would think each machine measured to a set basis... Good luck, and I understand your concern.

Thanks for the reply!

A doctor did not order the test, I did on my own. I will show it to my doctor that I go to for my thyroid but really whats the point, he maintains my neuropothy is probably caused by my thyroid issues...but I am terrified my feet will continue to get worse so I am looking into this on my own right now.

I wonder if the test is accurate, as they ran the MMA test first and gave me the results and forgot to do the regular B12 Serum so on the very last day my blood sample was still viable they ran the test.


I dunno where to go from these test results, I have such a hard time believing or understanding the results. :(

Two doctors must have had some reason for suspecting thyroid, which is one of the tests often recommended here, as it is a cause of many PNs.

There's nothing wrong with taking B12 either. Methyl (vs. Cyano) B12 is recommended; it is more easily utilized, and bypasses some people's inability to methylate the cyano form. There is no upper safe limit. A doctor will be able to order the desired test for you.

Doc

Yes, Im not doubting I have hypothyroid.

However, Im looking to further investigate the neuropothy.

I only have 2 doctors because I left the first one in search of another one because the first one would not prescribe the desicated nature hormone instead of synthetic one.

Neither were concerned with my feet neuropothy.

My question is more with these test results, has anyone here ever gotten such a high B12 serum test result? 3000 seems soooo very high.

I had taken a cheap B complex from walmart prior to the test but not B12 specific.

Since the test I am on Jarrow and enzymatic therapy sublingual B12

Im just wondering if anyone here has ever had a high B12 test result and still had B12 help with neuropothy symptoms?

I would have your doctor run the test again based on what you said regarding the sample.

Things to explore regarding high B12....excess folate, GI infection, kidney/liver issues or blood disorders.

thank you all for your input

Ok so I just got off the phone with the Blood Lab.

According to my B12 serum at 3000 shows I am getting lots of B12
However, according to the above MMA test results, because I am at the very low end of the range at 0.08 that shows that I am not absorbing the B12

That is what they told me.

He suggested shots. But to me I need to figure out why I am not able to absorb B12, but I dunno really.

Does anyone have any advice what they do if they are not able to absorb B12?

i had a blood test for A1c in which the results were totally out of whack with previous tests. i had it redone and it was normal. you will have to have that test redone before you can make any decisions on what to do and what to look into. The MMA results contradict the b12 results. The MMA results are abnormally low which would indicate a need to take b12.

The Jarrrow Methyl form of B12 that you just started my take of it. It's a more bio-available form in which your body does not need to convert in order to use it. You may not be able to convert B12 so it stays in your blood stream.

Do you have digestive issue? Inflammation/infections can be an issue.

Im taking both Jarrow and Enzymatic Therapy but now with these test results not sure if Im absorbing them. Literally just did this test and got results yesterday, not sure it would do any good to do the test again.

Digestive issues? not really, not that I know of, just acid reflux.

I'm not a B12 expert but logic tells me that if you have a high level of B12 in your blood, you are absorbing it but maybe not able to utilize it. There are others here with more knowledge on this.

Acid reflux....are you taking anything for it? Acid blocking drugs interfere with B12 absorption. Have you been checked for H-pylori bacteria? Do you take a good probiotic or eat cultured foods? Bacteria imbalance can cause problems.

You stated that you did not start taking the Jarrow methyl form until after the test so if it's a conversion issue, retesting in a month or so may be in order.

I control my acid reflux mostly with ACV and baking soda. Occasionally a tums and in the past zantac before I started using ACV.

My quest will continue. :(

Thank you for your replys!

It may be that you have the inability to methylate that I mentioned. The methylated form should resolve that issue.

It may not be that they were not concerned, but just didn't know what to do. Many doctors don't. Unfortunately, some kinds of PN cannot be helped beyond treating the symptoms, and treatment of symptoms is often the same regardless of most (not all) types of PN. The advice found here doesn't help some folks either, but it's worth a try.

Doc

I have been thinking all day about my high 3000 blood serum and I said I did not take any B12 prior to the test but upon thinking, I did take that cheap walmart B complex and I didnt really consider that a "B12" supplement. However, I did take it quite a bit before that test.

Here is the ingredients:
Spring Valley B complex Time Release
B1 as thiamin 100 mg
B2 as riboflaven 100mg
B3 as niacinicamide 100 mg
B6 as pyrdoxine hydrochloride 100mg
Folate as folic acid 100mg
B12 as cyanocobalamin 100mg
Biotin 100mcg
Panothenic Acid as d-calcium pa??cant see it 100mg

It contains soy and other stuff

And I took 2 of these a day, so double all that, for at least a month prior to test including up to the night before the test.......So I wonder if this can account for high B12 Serum and low MMA?

Im not sure if the B12 Jarrow and Enzymatic Therapy are "methylate " . I will have to look that up not sure what kind that is.

Thank you!

The relationship of MMA and B12 is inverse, I doubt B12 is you issue. you seem to be absorbing and using it very well. You might check out thiamine.

"The relationship of MMA and B12 is inverse, I doubt B12 is you issue. you seem to be absorbing and using it very well. You might check out thiamine. "

Im not sure what you mean by this????

I was told since the B12 Serum is so high and the MMA is so low it means I am not absorbing it otherwishe the MMA would be higher.

The Jarrow may be, but check the label. You want methycobalamin -- not cyanocobalamin (as in the W-mart).

You also (regardless of what the label may say) should take B12 on an empty stomach, 1-2 hrs before any food for best absorption. The reason is that the B12 molecule is enormous, and has a hard enough time being absorbed without other things interfering.

Doc

Ok yes they are both the correct kind.

thanks