lab results
 

I am taking Mestinon and getting periodic IVIGs. My recent lab work showed decreased CO2 and increased B12 -- have any of you had any results like these --I don't know if it is related to MG.

Hi, Nikos. Did they do a comprehensive chemistry panel (the CO2 would usually be a part of that)? What did your doctors say?

Are you taking B12 supplements? If so, an increased B12 is normal.

Annie

My daily vitamin does have B12 (25 mcg) I don't know if B12 has been tested in the past, but now it is 1,532. Yes the CO2 was a part of the comprehensive chemistry panel - it is 21 which seems to be just a bit too low and I do have mild asthma, so probably I should not be worried about that. The high B12 result did get my attention.

How is your MG doing?

The higher B12 might be from the daily vitamin, but that's a pretty low dose of it. It would be a good idea to have a discussion with your primary doctor. Some liver conditions can cause abnormally elevated B12. It's pretty rare that an increased B12 would be a problem though. It's usually due to circulating B12 due to taking it daily.

Any metabolic imbalance should be looked at (CO2). An endocrinologist is the best doctor to evaluate that. You could ask your neuro too, if they think it might be related to your MG.

Annie

I think my MG is doing OK - have a call in to my neurologist to ask about the abnormal labs. I have been doing a detox, trying to lose weight, and for that have been eating lots of buckwheat (pancakes and tea) -- I wondered if that would increase the B12. The CO2 is 21 and the range shown on my report is 23-31, so perhaps that is OK. AND, I have CLL which is being untreated per my doctor.

my doctor says my labs are normal -- so quess I was getting worried unnecessarily.

The body maintains electrolytes, fluids, pH, etc. in a very tight spectrum. Anything outside of that can reflect things such as metabolic acidosis/alkalosis and respiratory acidosis/alkalosis.

A neurologist is not a pulmonologist. A pulmonologist is not an endocrinologist.

I highly suggest that you see a pulmonologist to assess if you have something like respiratory alkalosis.

One of many articles on the imbalance of CO2.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/301680-overview

They could do an arterial blood gas to check all signs of how your breathing is.

Yes, the B12 reading is fine. The CO2 needs further evaluation, in my opinion, especially if you are having any breathing issues. But sometimes you can't tell if you are!

Annie