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New test: really high B12 and how's my ferritin?
Wondering if taking a large dose of B12 the night before tests can give afalse high reading. It took me from last June to Nov to get B12 from the 200's up to the 500's. I had started a higher dose in the last few weeks, 3000mcg B12 per day and was not going to take it the night before testing, and forgot and took it around 10pm- test was next day at 2pm. Also, it took me taking around 12,000 iu per day of Vit D all this time to get my D to where it is, so the B12 confuses me a bit. Thanks!
Nov '12
B12- 567 180-914
Folate LvL- 10.37 5.9- 24.8
Vit D 25 OH 66.0 30-100
Sodium Lvl 139 136-144
Potassium 4.1 3.6- 5.1M
Magnesium ???? .40- 2.10
Calcium 9.0 8.9- 10.3
Feb. (last week)
Vitamin B12 1648 221 - 700 pg/mL
Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy 72.6 31.0 - 80.0 ng/mL (just noticed the different range, ugh)
Ferritin 78.4 9.0 - 150.0 ng/mL
Zinc 91 55 - 150 ug/dL
Magnesium 1.9 1.7 - 2.6 mg/dL
Nov '12
B12- 567 180-914
Folate LvL- 10.37 5.9- 24.8
Vit D 25 OH 66.0 30-100
Sodium Lvl 139 136-144
Potassium 4.1 3.6- 5.1M
Magnesium ???? .40- 2.10
Calcium 9.0 8.9- 10.3
Feb. (last week)
Vitamin B12 1648 221 - 700 pg/mL
Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy 72.6 31.0 - 80.0 ng/mL (just noticed the different range, ugh)
Ferritin 78.4 9.0 - 150.0 ng/mL
Zinc 91 55 - 150 ug/dL
Magnesium 1.9 1.7 - 2.6 mg/dL
I can buy the Ethical Nutrients Zinc Test 100ml Liquid at my pharmacy. Costs $20. I decided to buy a multi vitamin supplement but i have to say i think i'm still zinc deficient. I tried my mother's vile (in her words) prep liquid she had to take to prepare for a colonoscopy and it was pretty tasteless. I had read the funniest article "12 Most Horrific Hours Leading Up To My Colonoscopy" - in his words the taste was like "loosely shredded sandpaper mixed with urine" LOL! so i was expecting something pretty disgusting. Good time to be zinc deficient really. :)
That is very interesting. Thanks for the info. Do you think I can perform that test myself? I mean, I am wondering if I can get that aqueous zinc somewhere...I am guessing you are taking zinc supplements now after that test and results. Thanks!!
Barb, I get zero time in the sun. When I knocked off the extra Vit D (the above and beyond the 50,000 iu script) my D decreases a bit so I will stop taking the extra and keep testing. It has realy been only about 8 months since starting the supplements. Once I see how i do on just the 50,000 per week for awhile, I'll dose accordingly. But i have tested quite often since going on all of this.
After trying so long to get my b12 levels up to a decent range, i was surprised that in such a short time on a higher dose it really flew up there, so in any event i am sure i'll be testing again soon---that is if i can twist someones arm, doctors do seem to hate to test for vitamins :)
Can you please list your symptoms of when you know your b12 is low? thanks!
After trying so long to get my b12 levels up to a decent range, i was surprised that in such a short time on a higher dose it really flew up there, so in any event i am sure i'll be testing again soon---that is if i can twist someones arm, doctors do seem to hate to test for vitamins :)
Can you please list your symptoms of when you know your b12 is low? thanks!
The test is very easy and takes 30 seconds. I had this test done for free at my local pharmacy. A promotion for Ethical Nutrients zinc products by the looks of it. My result from the list below was "3) Quite Zinc Deficient". I imagine if i went a step further to "4) Very Zinc Deficient" i'd have gone from adding salt to every bite of chicken to adding a bit of chicken to a bowl of salt LOL
Some excerpts about zinc deficiency from the article "The Zinc Taste Test" by Ronald L. Myers, CNC.
"In 1984 information appeared in the Lancet (Aug 11, p. 350; Nov 17, p. 1162) regarding the use of the Zinc Taste Test (ZTT) in patients with anorexia and depression. This test was developed and used because plasma and serum zinc levels were considered unreliable measures of zinc status."
"Patient should refrain from eating, drinking or smoking for at least a half-hour. Have the patient place 1 to 2 tsp. of Aqueous Zinc in their mouth swirling it for 10 seconds and then swallow it or spit it out. After 30 seconds the patient is asked to describe the taste and their response should be graded based on the following parameters:
1) Optimal zinc levels—An immediate, unpleasant, obviously adverse taste, at which the patient normally grimaces.
2) Adequate Zinc Levels—A definite but not strongly unpleasant taste is noted immediately and tends to intensify with time.
3) Quite Zinc Deficient—No taste noted initially, but develops in 10-15 seconds.
4) Very Zinc Deficient—Tasteless or “tastes like water”
Some excerpts about zinc deficiency from the article "The Zinc Taste Test" by Ronald L. Myers, CNC.
"In 1984 information appeared in the Lancet (Aug 11, p. 350; Nov 17, p. 1162) regarding the use of the Zinc Taste Test (ZTT) in patients with anorexia and depression. This test was developed and used because plasma and serum zinc levels were considered unreliable measures of zinc status."
"Patient should refrain from eating, drinking or smoking for at least a half-hour. Have the patient place 1 to 2 tsp. of Aqueous Zinc in their mouth swirling it for 10 seconds and then swallow it or spit it out. After 30 seconds the patient is asked to describe the taste and their response should be graded based on the following parameters:
1) Optimal zinc levels—An immediate, unpleasant, obviously adverse taste, at which the patient normally grimaces.
2) Adequate Zinc Levels—A definite but not strongly unpleasant taste is noted immediately and tends to intensify with time.
3) Quite Zinc Deficient—No taste noted initially, but develops in 10-15 seconds.
4) Very Zinc Deficient—Tasteless or “tastes like water”
Hi, I was wondering what is the taste test to measure zinc in your body, that you mentioned. Is it difficult to do? Thanks.
COMMUNITY LEADER
From what I've read on Vitamin D, optimal levels are in the 50-80 range, regardless of the lab range. You're well within that range and you might be able to settle on a steady dosage. My concern is that vitamin D is not water soluble (excess won't be flushed away), so it is toxic if levels get too high, so if you continue on such a high dose, you should, at least, be sure to get checked often. Do you spend any time in the sun?
As for the B12, like Red, I have to really load up. I take a weekly shot and if I miss it, like I did on Mon, within 2-3 days, I'm a basket case. Yesterday, I could barely keep my eyes open and couldn't figure out why, until relatively late in the day, I realized I'd forgotten my shot on Mon. The difference is that both Red and I have Pernicious Anemia and apparently, you don't, as you seem to absorb vitamin B12 when you get adequate dosage. Do you eat plenty of foods that are rich in B12?
As for the B12, like Red, I have to really load up. I take a weekly shot and if I miss it, like I did on Mon, within 2-3 days, I'm a basket case. Yesterday, I could barely keep my eyes open and couldn't figure out why, until relatively late in the day, I realized I'd forgotten my shot on Mon. The difference is that both Red and I have Pernicious Anemia and apparently, you don't, as you seem to absorb vitamin B12 when you get adequate dosage. Do you eat plenty of foods that are rich in B12?
Yes i'm not surprised your B12 is still around the same range. I take as much as i need to get rid of symptoms so i haven't looked at my B12 labs for a couple of years. And my symptoms occur in a few days of stopping B12. By three weeks...*cries* lol
Thanks Barb! Question though...tests at the same hospital just last week, showed my D at 72 and this week 61 (should have mentioned that too, got the newer results back today...and I notice their range is very different. The range I am used to seeing is 30-100- if you'll note above in the November test, a 66 with a 30-100 range doesn't look as bad as when top of range is 80 :)
I had been taking a script of 50,0001u plus 3,000-5,000 per day in addition, I will now knock out the extra, stick with just the script and be sure and test periodically!
I had been taking a script of 50,0001u plus 3,000-5,000 per day in addition, I will now knock out the extra, stick with just the script and be sure and test periodically!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Since the body stores B12, it might take a while to get that much out of your system, since it appears that you absorb adequately.
Not sure how much good folic acid would have done in this case.
Just as a side note: Your vitamin D is also approaching top the range. Vitamin D *IS* toxic, at too high levels, so you might want to talk to your doctor about cutting back on that, as well.
Not sure how much good folic acid would have done in this case.
Just as a side note: Your vitamin D is also approaching top the range. Vitamin D *IS* toxic, at too high levels, so you might want to talk to your doctor about cutting back on that, as well.
Got it retested and it was still high, I guess I got it up there alright! lol- it was staying below 600 for so long!! I will go back to 1000 or less per day in awhile- wish they had tested folic acid though....
COMMUNITY LEADER
While B12 is not toxic, it clearly appears that you don't need such a high dose. The body does store B12, so it might take a while for those high levels to drop.
it aslo stinks when you've had most of testing in one place and then new tests in another, with different ranges, and suddenly everything is different!!
I stated above that i had been taking 3000mcg for a few weeks, but it was more like 2 weeks. I had a redo yesterday and i'll post the result when I get it!
My magnesium was decent from june thru nov and by Feb it was at the low end of the range....going magnesium shopping--had been taking it faithfully but had gotten a crappy kind!!
My magnesium was decent from june thru nov and by Feb it was at the low end of the range....going magnesium shopping--had been taking it faithfully but had gotten a crappy kind!!
Ferritin is above 70 so that's good. Magnesium is ??? lol Zinc taste test is far better! :) As for my answer on the B12, i actually didn't read the dates properly and thought your labs were a week apart. My brain eh? LOL Three months apart taking 3000mcg daily could easily put your B12 serum into that high a range.
Plus the fact that i doubt you could cover up a severe vitamin B12 deficiency with one good dose of B12 prior to a blood draw..my brain eh? LOL But it would be interesting to see what your labs are again so soon after. I have a feeling it's not going to be much of a difference really. I might have to look at my B12 labs to see the dates...memory is a bit dodgy. :)
Plus the fact that i doubt you could cover up a severe vitamin B12 deficiency with one good dose of B12 prior to a blood draw..my brain eh? LOL But it would be interesting to see what your labs are again so soon after. I have a feeling it's not going to be much of a difference really. I might have to look at my B12 labs to see the dates...memory is a bit dodgy. :)
Good to know on this end- will try to get a redo today. The ferritin must look ok?? Thanks!
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As for the B12, the most pronounced symptom I get when my levels drop down is an absolutely debilitating fatigue. It's not like any other "tired" I've ever known. It's a "my eyelids aren't staying open no matter what, so get someplace safe and stay there"; along with this, is often a feeling of weakness....... Sometimes, I get a bit "foggy" and have a hard time paying attention. I also get intense numbness, tingling and burning in my feet and hands. I do have permanent nerve damage from untreated PA for so long, so when my levels drop the pain really intensifies. I also bruise easily when my levels are too low.