B12 Test Results

[kdblack]

Hello Group, I have recently been diagnosed with Hashimotos but my Endo has not put me on any meds yet because my TSH is normal. I am having other health issues and my Neurologist ordered a B12 test. I was hoping for some input on the results. 426 pg/ml  range 254-1320 pg/ml. Also I recently had a brain MRI and it showed Adenoid Hypertrophy. Has anyone else had this. I am not now nor have I recently been sick. I should also note that I have a goiter, thyroid nodules and enlarged lymph nodes in my neck. Thanks for any input.

[Red_Star]

My B12 serum eventually went well below the range by the age of 35. I take sublingual B12 spray daily. The sublingual (under the tongue) method goes directly into the blood stream within minutes and bypasses my gut malabsorption issues. If I stop taking my sublingual spray or not take enough B12 then symptoms show up in days. If any lab could pick up that change in tissue levels within days that would be interesting.

This is an excerpt from Chris Kresser's article: B12 deficiency: a silent epidemic with serious consequences...

"Experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiency, like Sally Pacholok R.N. and Jeffery Stewart D.O., suggest treating all patients that are symptomatic and have B12 levels less than 450 pg/mL. They also recommend treating patients with normal B12, but elevated urinary methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine and/or holotranscobalamin (other markers of B12 deficiency).

In Japan and Europe, the lower limit for B12 is between 500-550 pg/mL, the level associated with psychological and behavioral manifestations such as cognitive decline, dementia and memory loss."

[kdblack]

Thank you for commenting, is there another test to better show correct B12 levels or did you just start taking supplements?

[Red_Star]

This lab result is my first B12 test at age 31 after three decades of B12 malabsorption symptoms (from extreme fatigue to permanent nerve damage to prolonged bleeding for an hour if I cut myself) from undiagnosed autoimmune pernicious anaemia: 445 ng/L (220 - 1100). Conversion to SI units (most countries now use this measurement) is 328.4 pmol/L.  In short, B12 serum is not accurate and can not show tissue levels of B12.

One of my symptoms of not enough vitamin B12 is white spots on the forearms.  When I corrected my B12 those white spots on my forearms went away and my vitiligo (some of these spots are on my forearms as well) remained.

Just to add, when I was in a flare up with Hashimoto's thyroiditis I had swollen lymph nodes.

[kdblack]

Yes I have hashis. I have been having pain in my neck and symptoms similar to carpal tunnel but the nerve conduction test ruled out carpal tunnel. There was some issues with the nerve/muscle in my neck and on the test report it says Polyneuropathy and mononeuritis. He didn't mention what autoimmune he thought at that time but I have not had my follow up apt since the test yet. I also have severe migraines on a daily basis and was sent for a brain mri which is when the adenoids showed up enlarged. From my research they are considered lymphatic tissue which has me a little concerned because my lymph nodes in my neck are also swollen and I am in the process of checking thyroid nodules to rule out cancer.

[Barb135]

I'm not familiar with adenoids and I'm not sure there's a connection with thyroid, other than they're both located in the throat.  Since we're a thyroid disorders forum, we don't delve too much into some other areas.  

A quick search does not turn up any autoimmune conditions related to the adenoids, however, saliva glands/ducts are involved in a couple of autoimmunes.  Did your neurologist happen to say what other autoimmune(s) he thinks you might have?

What other symptoms do you have?  I believe you have Hashimoto's, don't you?

[kdblack]

My neurologist mentioned he thought I may have another autoimmune as well due to some of my other symptoms.  Has anyone had any issues with their adenoids without having a cold/sore throat?

[Barb135]

Just because thyroid levels are "normal" doesn't mean they are good or even acceptable for you.  If you have Hashimoto's, the antibodies are steadily wearing away at your thyroid function, so eventually, your thyroid will produce nothing.

Vitamin B12 does not have to be low to the point of being out of range to be too low... My lab puts a note on the report that anything under 500 can cause symptoms of deficiency...

The connection with autoimmune diseases is that once you have one autoimmune, you're more likely to get more of them... they tend to come in clusters.  I have 2 of them - Hashimoto's and Pernicious Anemia.

[Snorkellaar]

The B12 test is normal.
In the article "Vitamin B12 deficiency common in primary hypothyroidism." from Jabber, et al.
" Replacement of B12 leads to improvement in symptoms, although a placebo effect cannot be excluded, as a number of patients without B12 deficiency also appeared to respond to B12, administration."
They didnt test for placebo affects but some people with normal vitamin B12 had improvements after taking vitamin B12.
I personally have an autoimmune disease called vitiligo. A lot of vitiligo patients also have problems with there thyroids and therefore is was checked.
I didn't have low TSH levels or low vitamin B12 but my vitiligo has improved  after taking B12 with folic acid supplements. I can recommend trying vitamin B12 with folic acid. The supplements don't cost a lot if you buy private-label. If it doesn't work you can always stop after a month.

Also it might be worth to look at other explanations of symptoms you have.
A lot of diseases are associated with auto-immune diseases and they don't why.

[kdblack]

I have had ultrasound of my thyroid and it confirmed hashis along with antibodies test. My numbers are not optimal but within range on T3 and T4. I go back to the Endo next week to follow up after my ultrasound.

[flyingfool]

B12 of 426 is not horrible. But many people still feel fatigue until there B12 gets to 900 or even higher.

many countries such as Japan the very bottom of the normal range starts at 500. So if you lived in Japan you would be considered deficient!

B12 is pretty cheap. And while a bit more expensive, the sublingual pills seem to work best as you get direct absorption by it dissolving under your tounge rather than swallowing the pill and have to go through the digestive system.

You can tell if they are sublingual by the lable but the esiest way is that they will be "flavored".  The regular swallow type pills obviously don't nee to be flavored!

As for thyroid level.  do you have any Hypo symptoms?  Also you should have yyour Free T4 and Free T3 levels tested. While at it your Vitamin D3, iron and Ferritin can also be tested.  

Iron &  Ferritin are used in the metabolism of Thyroid hormone.

Have you had an ultrasound of your thyroid?

On what test or basis were you diagnossed with Hashi's?

If you have any other test results other than the B12, please post them along with the "normal" range.