Hello All,
I know when testing Vit D that you should ask for the 25-Hydroxy.....correct?
What about Vit B12....is there a specific test and is there any reason to check B12 levels?
I am having some blood work done and wanted to have Vit D and B12 checked.....unless it's pointless.
Also, I'm not sure I ever had chicken pox and my doc said they can check for that and if I've never had chicken pox then there's no reason to have the shingles vaccine. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
Terre
Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Terre,
Yes, the 25-Hydroxy-D test is the correct one.
The body normally stores enough vitamin B-12 to last for years, but if we have been reacting for a long time, it's possible to develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency, and this can have serious neurological consequences, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Also, for someone who has MC, it's best to keep our B-12 level significantly above the lower limit of the normal range. Any symptoms such as tingling, numbness (or partial numbness), or tremors could indicate a B-12 deficiency. Low energy or a low result on an iron test can also be due to a B-12 deficiency.
I had chicken pox when I was young, but I've never had a shingles vaccine. Those who have had shingles tend to highly recommend the vaccine, though. The minimum age to qualify for receiving a shingles vaccine used to be 60, but about 3 years ago the FDA approved it's use on people as young as 50.
I have a hunch that your doctor is correct, but the CDC recommends the vaccine for anyone over the age of 60, regardless of whether or not they have had chicken pox. I'm guessing that they just enjoy promoting the use of vaccines (because they get such a thrill out of promoting the flu shot — another vaccine that I have never had).
Tex
Yes, the 25-Hydroxy-D test is the correct one.
The body normally stores enough vitamin B-12 to last for years, but if we have been reacting for a long time, it's possible to develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency, and this can have serious neurological consequences, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Also, for someone who has MC, it's best to keep our B-12 level significantly above the lower limit of the normal range. Any symptoms such as tingling, numbness (or partial numbness), or tremors could indicate a B-12 deficiency. Low energy or a low result on an iron test can also be due to a B-12 deficiency.
I had chicken pox when I was young, but I've never had a shingles vaccine. Those who have had shingles tend to highly recommend the vaccine, though. The minimum age to qualify for receiving a shingles vaccine used to be 60, but about 3 years ago the FDA approved it's use on people as young as 50.
I have a hunch that your doctor is correct, but the CDC recommends the vaccine for anyone over the age of 60, regardless of whether or not they have had chicken pox. I'm guessing that they just enjoy promoting the use of vaccines (because they get such a thrill out of promoting the flu shot — another vaccine that I have never had).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thanks for the info Tex....I wonder why you would need the vaccine if you have not had chicken pox?
I had 25-Hydroxy checked 8/2013 and result was 38 ng/mL with Reference Range 30-100 ng/mL.
At the same time my B12 was checked with result 568 PG/ML - Reference Range 239-931 PG/ML.
Doc sent letter stating both were considered normal. I just saw a health show yesterday that said D should at least be 50, so I feel that I was low in 8/2013.
After sharing above info and not wanting additional expense of needless testing (and reading that shingles vaccine is recommended anyway).....would you opt to do any of these tests? It won't matter to my doctor either way......I've just been so tired and was curious about levels.
Thanks,
Terre
I had 25-Hydroxy checked 8/2013 and result was 38 ng/mL with Reference Range 30-100 ng/mL.
At the same time my B12 was checked with result 568 PG/ML - Reference Range 239-931 PG/ML.
Doc sent letter stating both were considered normal. I just saw a health show yesterday that said D should at least be 50, so I feel that I was low in 8/2013.
After sharing above info and not wanting additional expense of needless testing (and reading that shingles vaccine is recommended anyway).....would you opt to do any of these tests? It won't matter to my doctor either way......I've just been so tired and was curious about levels.
Thanks,
Terre
If you've been in remission for most of the year, then your B-12 is probably still fine, especially if you're taking a supplement. IOW, as long as we don't have a malabsorption problem, and we eat foods that contain vitamin B-12, we should absorb enough from our diet.
That's not a bad vitamin D result, so if you are taking a reasonable amount as a supplement, then your vitamin D level is probably OK (if you have been in remission for most of the time). If you have been taking a low dose, or a high dose, or if you have been reacting for much of the time, then it's more important to have the level checked.
Or, instead of doing those tests, you could always just take vitamin supplements to make sure that your levels are adequate. It's almost impossible to overdose on B-12, because excess amounts are usually passed on out of the body, and normal supplement rates of vitamin D are not likely to cause any overdose issues either. You would have to take huge doses (such as 20,000 — 40,000 IU daily) for a long time (several months) in order to reach a toxic level.
Whether or not the chicken pox test is worth doing depends on whether or not the result would actually make a difference in your decision to get a shingles vaccine.
Tex
That's not a bad vitamin D result, so if you are taking a reasonable amount as a supplement, then your vitamin D level is probably OK (if you have been in remission for most of the time). If you have been taking a low dose, or a high dose, or if you have been reacting for much of the time, then it's more important to have the level checked.
Or, instead of doing those tests, you could always just take vitamin supplements to make sure that your levels are adequate. It's almost impossible to overdose on B-12, because excess amounts are usually passed on out of the body, and normal supplement rates of vitamin D are not likely to cause any overdose issues either. You would have to take huge doses (such as 20,000 — 40,000 IU daily) for a long time (several months) in order to reach a toxic level.
Whether or not the chicken pox test is worth doing depends on whether or not the result would actually make a difference in your decision to get a shingles vaccine.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Remission, what's remission.....ha!
I haven't seen "Norman" since I was diagnosed in 2013.....but I am doing better....I seldom have WD and there are even times when I feel it could be "Norman" if it weren't thin. The D comes out of the blue and thankfully doesn't go on for days. My stools mainly fall into "mushy to somewhat formed" - with the occasional formed but thin variety. TMI!!!!! I do have much more gas than I used to and not sure why.
In Sept. I had my annual CBC / Metabolic Panel / Thyroid (TSH) / Sedimentation Rate and all levels were fine.
I count my blessings for those results and will continue to try to reach MC remission. As far as the B12 & D, I may just continue as I am and not do the testing.
Thanks for your reply.
Terre
I haven't seen "Norman" since I was diagnosed in 2013.....but I am doing better....I seldom have WD and there are even times when I feel it could be "Norman" if it weren't thin. The D comes out of the blue and thankfully doesn't go on for days. My stools mainly fall into "mushy to somewhat formed" - with the occasional formed but thin variety. TMI!!!!! I do have much more gas than I used to and not sure why.
In Sept. I had my annual CBC / Metabolic Panel / Thyroid (TSH) / Sedimentation Rate and all levels were fine.
I count my blessings for those results and will continue to try to reach MC remission. As far as the B12 & D, I may just continue as I am and not do the testing.
Thanks for your reply.
Terre