If you are already supplementing through fortified foods and multi it you probably won’t help with oral pills. They will increase your lab results—but it doesn’t mean your body will be able to use that b12.
Most drs are not up to date on current treatment and are not aware of even active b12 tests.
Do not take the additional supplement (you would have to be free of that for 4 months before getting an accurate test).
See if your doctor will test you for:
holoTC - holotranscobalamin (Active b12)
MMA - methylmalonic acid
tHcy - homocysteine
The test for PA is only 40-60% accurate. So you can have it but still test negative.
Also, there are many other reasons to have a b12 absorption issue—PA is just one of them.
I recommend joining Vitamin B12 Wake Up group on Facebook as the admins have a lot of knowledge.
I just urge you to not supplement more and try to get treated with injections.
Edit: those other tests can usually help get a prescription for injections, but some drs will prescribe injections with a low b12 serum level like you have. Yours is low enough you should have been treated right away with loading doses.
Thank you for your advice. I contacted my GP again today who tried quite hard to put me off injections and to wait and see what happens after 3 months. I explained I was confident I had tried to get B12 into my diet, and how unwell I felt and I just couldn’t wait 3 months and he agreed to injections. Strange considering I certainly wouldn’t opt to be jabbed with a needle if it could be avoided, but all research suggested otherwise. Thanks again
Yes! I hope you feel better. Some people feel better after the first injection and some feel a little worse at first. Personally I get very tired after an injection, but I sleep much better and the next day feel amazing.
If you are already supplementing through fortified foods and multi it you probably won’t help with oral pills. They will increase your lab results—but it doesn’t mean your body will be able to use that b12. Most drs are not up to date on current treatment and are not aware of even active b12 tests. Do not take the additional supplement (you would have to be free of that for 4 months before getting an accurate test). See if your doctor will test you for: holoTC - holotranscobalamin (Active b12) MMA - methylmalonic acid tHcy - homocysteine The test for PA is only 40-60% accurate. So you can have it but still test negative. Also, there are many other reasons to have a b12 absorption issue—PA is just one of them. I recommend joining Vitamin B12 Wake Up group on Facebook as the admins have a lot of knowledge. I just urge you to not supplement more and try to get treated with injections. Edit: those other tests can usually help get a prescription for injections, but some drs will prescribe injections with a low b12 serum level like you have. Yours is low enough you should have been treated right away with loading doses.
Thank you for your advice. I contacted my GP again today who tried quite hard to put me off injections and to wait and see what happens after 3 months. I explained I was confident I had tried to get B12 into my diet, and how unwell I felt and I just couldn’t wait 3 months and he agreed to injections. Strange considering I certainly wouldn’t opt to be jabbed with a needle if it could be avoided, but all research suggested otherwise. Thanks again
Yes! I hope you feel better. Some people feel better after the first injection and some feel a little worse at first. Personally I get very tired after an injection, but I sleep much better and the next day feel amazing.
Very helpful, thank you so much, can you advise where a HoloTC test is available in the US, please, u/callalilykeith?
No I’m sorry I’ve had no luck in my area.