Low b12+ Folate

Hi guys,

Recently had some bloods done (19th/20th dec) was called up and asked for some retests due to a slightly raised albumin.

The retests showed my b12 was low (only slightly) and folate/ferritin too. According to the nurse who I had a phone call appointment with, she explained, my b12 isn't low enough for the injections, although I had a right hemi colectomy with about 1.3 feet of small bowel removed which I was told by both my surgeon and medic I would eventually need the injections once my liver ran out of b12, since it can be stored for a couple years.

Does this sound right? She told me it would be down to my crohns and that the b12 is absorbed in the small bowel, as far as i know I'm in remission, I mean my CRP and ESR were both normal, is it possible to have normal inflammatory markers and malabsorption from inflammation? Surely if the inflammation was substantial enough to cause malabsorption it would show in my crp/esr?

Thanks in advance

I coukd be wrong but I would go with what your surgeon and medic said.

tommy07 said:

Hi guys,


Does this sound right? She told me it would be down to my crohns and that the b12 is absorbed in the small bowel, as far as i know I'm in remission, I mean my CRP and ESR were both normal, is it possible to have normal inflammatory markers and malabsorption from inflammation? Surely if the inflammation was substantial enough to cause malabsorption it would show in my crp/esr?

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

I currently have inflammation that is causing malabsorption and my CRP continues to be under 3, so yes that scenario is entirely possible. My CRP is almost never higher than the minimum yet the inflammation has caused scar tissue to the point of needing a resection.
I also get b12 shots 3 monthly, even when it isn't below the minimum just because they know it will be soon enough.
Have you tried getting the shots from your GP? My specialist never orders them, the GP has to look after that. I imagine it could be the same in the UK?

Layla said:

I currently have inflammation that is causing malabsorption and my CRP continues to be under 3, so yes that scenario is entirely possible. My CRP is almost never higher than the minimum yet the inflammation has caused scar tissue to the point of needing a resection.
I also get b12 shots 3 monthly, even when it isn't below the minimum just because they know it will be soon enough.
Have you tried getting the shots from your GP? My specialist never orders them, the GP has to look after that. I imagine it could be the same in the UK?

Click to expand...

My gp is where I get the shots from