Good for him. And if he doesn't already know about sufficient doses of oral, I imagine he soon will. I read just a few things on the site, and there is a lot of good info.

rose

Maybe Iam getting a little ocd....but I happend to be going over all my old blood work from 1993 until now. I wanted to have all my info straight when I go back to see the hematologist. My RBC has been out of range, low, since 1993? Along with some others MCV, MCH, TIBC although nothing as consistant as the RBC. Only once through all those years was I actually anemic others wise it was mostly boarder line. Do you think this is worth mentioning? She might think Iam carzy going back that far.

Whether you mention it to the doc has to be a call you make, probably on the spot.

Pretty sad, and when someone who shows signs is ignored, think how much more frequently others are missed. Aaaaargh. Remember that many who are borderline or even more mid-normal on those tests would have shown a deficiency when provided more testing than those usuals. No ferritin? Not usually done, and so often is it necessary.

rose

Hi Rose, (or anyone else)
Do high homocystein level indiacte low b12 or are there other reasons that the levels would be high? My dad had a stroke a coulpe of years ago at the age of 69. He also had a rare cancer, desmoplastic melenoma. So rare they but him in a clinical trial in Sloan Ketterin in N.Y. His homocystein levels are high he thought it was from taking some new med for high cholesterol. I told him to have his b12 level and mma checked next time he goes to the doctor. He also has high BP. My grandfather (his father) died of some kind of complication due to bladder cancer. One other question, Do you think that I should have my daughters b12 level tested? They are only 7 and 2 1/2.

There are other reasons. Three of those that can easily, inexpensively, and safely be taken care of are: too little B12, B6, and/or folate. A good B complex, plus at least 1000 mcg B12 alone at another time of day will take care of the most likely problem(s).

What is your dad's homocysteine number? Even in the high half of normal is not a good thing, especially for someone who has cardiovascular problems. If the doc knew enough to test him for homocysteine, did he know enough to give him the vitamins in appropriate doses? If not, your dad needs to do it himself.

I would at least watch my daughters. If there are any problems at all I would insist that they be tested correctly. And I would teach them about B12 deficiency before they leave home. Of course, at this time, a very good brand of multivitamin would be a good insurance policy, since it is extremely unlikely that they will begin malabsorbing severely for many years.

rose

--Rose is quite accurate in mentioning the most common reasons for high homocysteine levels are inadequate levels of the B-vitamins. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is made as a byproduct of the methylation chemical process in the body, and itself needs to be further "processed" into usable amino acids; B-vitamins are a big part of that process. If too much homcysteine builds up, it can oxidize low density lipoproteins in cholesterol, making them much more likely to stick to arterial walls and narrowing them. It also tends to increase coagulation. This is why homocysteine levels are often monitored by cardiologists as an indicator of the likelihood of coronary artery disease.

Homocysteine and MMA levels measured together are a good (though not perfect) indicator of B12 deficiency--better than just a serum B12 level. One might also have an elevated homocysteine level with folate or B6 deficiences, and it also might be caused by certain medications, or by low thyroid horomone levels or kidney problems--have there been any indications of these in your dad?

glenntaj - My dad was taking somthing for cholesteral that might have increased his hcy.

Rose -
I was reading through some old posts and you had mentioned somthing about never taking folate if your b12 is low? I do not know much about folate is that the same as folic acid? If it is then Iam curious if someone was low in b12 and was taking extra folic acid (because of pregnancy) could this compound the problem?

No problem taking folic acid (folate in food, folic acid in supplements & fortified foods) when B12 is low if adequate B12 is taken as well.

Unfortunately, some people still are treated with folic acid when B12 deficiency is the problem. Folic acid will make megaloblastic/macrocytic anemia go away (or keep it away) while allowing the damage due to B12 deficiency to continue.

Some researchers believe also that taking lots of folic acid without sufficient B12 when B12 deficiency exists can hasten damage.

Folic acid is one of the things that can mask (hide) the blatant symptom (megaloblastic/macrocytic anemia) many doctors still think must be present if B12 deficiency exists.

I think people should take B complex in addition to their B12 (at a different time of day) just in case any of the other B vitamins are in low supply.

At least 1000 mcg B12.

rose

Hi Rose,
I got some of my blood work form the hematologist office. I do not see a b12 test on there. If they forgot to do it I am screwed. I have been taking 3000 to 6000 of b12 a day for about a week or more!! The only things out of range are:
RBC - 3.7 .......... Ref. Range 4.2 - 6.3
Hematocrit 35.5.......... " 37.0 - 51.0
MCH - 32.4.......... " 23.0 - 32.0
RDW - 11.2.......... 11.5 - 14.5

Iron (normal) 79.0 .... 37.0 - 181.0
TIBC 332.0.... 250 - 450.0
Satruation 24.0....
Ferritin 40.0.... 6.0 - 115.0
Hcy 8.91...... 3.7 - 13.9
Parietal cell negative
IF Not Detected
MMa 0.1 <0.4 umol/L
If all this is on the test it looks like they just forgot to do the B12. I have an appointment on Monday. One other thing there was a note "Specimen submitted was slightly hemolyzed, repeat as needed".

It would have been nice if they'd taken a B12. But assuming these test samples were taken before you began taking B12, the results still might be helpful.

It could be enlightening to see test results from before and after. They don't always tell the story, but sometimes they tell it very well. I would keep taking the methylcobalamin and ask for a repeat of the CBC and homocysteine in about a month.

Hmmmm. IF not detected, or IF antibodies not detected.

rose