Got First Blood Tests Back
 

I received the data from my first blood tests. Most came back within normal range: Magnesium and calcium as well as Vit. D on the lower side so I'm glad I have been supplementing.

No Lyme, no thyroid issues.

On the other hand my B-12 is way up (2463pg/ml) and my folate is slightly elevated (20.0ng/ml).

I've been supplementing with a rather weak b-complex and multivitamin and with individual methylcobalmin 2000-5000 mcg/day for months.

Should I be concerned here? Any advice? Obviously cut out the methylcobalmin but what about the b-complex and multi?

The B-Complex does not have much B-12 so it is fine because you need it for a balance of the other B's. You could break your B-12's in half. Folate is fine at 20. My doc said folate should be 20 or above. Mag and D-3 could be increased if you want.

You're not concerned with the B12 level? It's almost three times the upper end of the normal range - (193-986) according to the lab I went to.

And I will probably increase the others slightly. It's good to know some of the supplementation has paid off.

You don't need your B-12 that high but it should not be a concern. My doc likes 1000. 190 is the minimum level for minimum health. As I said, half your B-12 and you should be fine. Many take 5000 mcgs.

Did you stop taking your B12 for a while prior to the blood tests?

btw Just as a matter of interest... in Japan the min recommended blood level of B12 is 500 pg/ml

http://www.mthfrsupport.com.au/vitam...level-set-low/
http://www.medicalcompassmd.com/b12-...ndards-may-be/

p.s. in the Vit B12 thread in the Vitamins and Supplement Forum there is this post -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1147872-824.html
a snip from that quoted below
Personally I'd just take less for a while Danny.

Elevated B12 blood levels are to be expected when you take supplements. The "normal" ranges for vitamin levels were made based on "normal" people---those with no symptoms of low B12---and so reflect only those who DO NOT TAKE vitamins.

It was my understanding that labs in the US only calibrate the machines up to 2000. So your higher number is puzzling. We had a med tech post on NT in the past that 2000 was the highest result possible today. I suppose you could call the lab and ask for an explanation. There might be labs who calibrate differently.

Having a high level is good because the higher the serum concentration, the more will move thru the blood brain barrier into the spinal fluid and hence the brain, where it is needed.

You won't need to keep your dosing at a high level, forever. You can lower it as you recover from your head injury. The next time you have testing, stop taking any B12 for a week before. This will give a more realistic test result. There is no toxic level of B12 anywhere in the research. So don't worry about that.

High B12 levels when there are NO SUPPLEMENTS being taken, suggest to doctors, that there is a disease process going on with that patient. Kidney disease, liver disease, some cancers, some infections of the bowel. That is the only worry. The B12 itself is not toxic, only reflective of something else...for those not taking vitamins.

Your high level does reflect that you are absorbing the oral form nicely from your supplement. That is good news.

I'm confused. I thought B-12 was safe to take at high doses because the body takes what it needs and excretes the rest.
Could it be a lab error? Did your doctor tell you to have it rechecked in a few weeks?

How do you ask for blood work to be done? Can you just ask your normal doctor, or do you need to see a specialist? I haven't had any blood work done, I wonder if at nearly 1.5 years in it would be a good idea? I guess it couldn't hurt!

Just ask your primary care physician for the blood work. You will have to request them individually and your doctor will probably put in a few. Mine were termed "fatigue labs".

I'm glad to learn the term 'fatigue labs.' It can be difficult for patients and doctors to justify some blood labs.

Laupala, I don't think it is ever too late to get labs. At worst, you can check that issue off the list.