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Can B12 deficiency be misdiagnosed?
A B12 deficiency is often misdiagnosed as depression, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, iron-deficiency-anemia, MS or hypochondria. Patients have often been to the doctor many times, visited multiple doctors and have had numerous tests done, before the B12 deficiency was found.
How can you tell the difference between B12 and folate deficiency?
Additional testing with homocysteine and MMA determinations may help distinguish between B12 and folate deficiency states. In folate deficiency, homocysteine levels are elevated and MMA levels are normal. In vitamin B12 deficiency, both homocysteine levels and MMA levels are elevated.
What causes falsely elevated B12 levels?
Some studies have indicated that elevated serum levels of vitamin B12 might be a sign of a serious and life-threatening disease. Such falsely high valued of serum vitamin B12 levels are observed in myeloproliferative disease, acute hepatitis, severe alcoholic liver disease, and cirrhosis.
What is the most accurate test for B12 deficiency?
The methylmalonic acid (MMA) test may be used to help diagnose an early or mild vitamin B12 deficiency. It may be ordered by itself but generally with a homocysteine test as a follow-up to a vitamin B12 test result that is in the lower end of the normal range.
How do I know if I have B12 deficiency?
The first step in checking for deficiency is a blood test to check the serum level of vitamin B12. Because folate deficiency can cause a similar type of anemia (megaloblastic anemia, which means a low red blood cell count with overly-large cells), doctors often test the blood for both folate and vitamin B12.
Is folate the same as B12?
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is found in foods from animals, such as red meat, fish, poultry, milk, yogurt, and eggs. Folate (Vitamin B9) refers to a natural occurring form of the vitamin, whereas folic acid refers to the supplement added to foods and drinks.
What are the symptoms of low folate?
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
- extreme tiredness.
- a lack of energy.
- pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- a sore and red tongue.
- mouth ulcers.
- muscle weakness.
- disturbed vision.
- psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion.
Can a vitamin B12 deficiency be mistaken for a folate deficiency?
Unfortunately, symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can take years to show up, and diagnosing it can be complex. A B12 deficiency can sometimes be mistaken for a folate deficiency. Low levels of B12 cause your folate levels to drop.
How do you know if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency?
Low levels of B12 cause your folate levels to drop. However, if you have a B12 deficiency, correcting low folate levels may simply mask the deficiency and fail to fix the underlying problem ( 3 ). Here are 9 signs and symptoms of a true vitamin B12 deficiency. 1. Pale or Jaundiced Skin
Do doctors check B12 levels before taking folic acid?
Before you start taking folic acid, your GP will check your vitamin B12 levels to make sure they ‘re normal. This is because folic acid treatment can sometimes improve your symptoms so much that it masks an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency. When should B12 be replaced?
What happens if there is no folate in the body?
Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that can’t function properly. How long does it take to correct folate deficiency?