Hello mrsd,

As you said:

I agree with what you say but I think that you might have misunderstood the intention of my post. I was not promoting the active B12 test; I was responding to a specific question about this new assay. The question arose from my response to Jackie, in her thread "B12 deficiency- still having problems!". In my post, I said:

As I have not yet completed my own investigation of the active B12 test, I cannot yet confirm that it is as effective as the kit supplier claims it to be.

The active B12 (holotranscobalamin) test is intended to ultimately replace the total serum B12 assay. Unlike the MMA test, this new active B12 test uses an automated immunoassay, so is inexpensive. The cost here, in Australia, is between $25 and $45 per sample, so should be similar in USA. It is covered by Medicare in Australia, if serum B12 is not tested at the same time.

I have been able to locate two labs in USA who list the active B12 test in their online catalogue. There are likely to be many more actually doing the test but have not yet listed it. There are at least four labs in Australia offering the test now, so there are certain to be many more in USA where Abbott Laboratories, the kit supplier, is located.

Here are the links to the labs:

Specialty Laboratories

American Clinical Services

You said:
Yes, they are the same here as well. I was labelled as a malingerer and hypochondriac for 40 years, until my ventricular tachycardia was finally discovered in 2004, at the age of 51 years. The full story is on the About Me page of my web site; I suggest that you read it if you want to know what is driving me.

I was similarly labelled when I discovered my B12 deficiency in 2005. This is why I am on a mission to get the message across about vitamin B12 deficiency.

Fortunately, I now have an excellent GP who has a strong interest in nutritional medicine, and who very supportive, as is my psychiatrist. I also now have the cooperation of three labs, which do the testing directly for me.

So, regardless of the level of resistance, I intend to force change in the way that B12 deficiency is diagnosed.

Paul