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What Do Low Methylmalonic Acid Levels Indicate?
Question: My doctor had suspected vitamin b12 deficiency so he ordered B12 blood test as well as a methylmalonic acid blood test. My B12 was 701 pg/ml (range: 200-1100pg/ml) and my methylmalonic was low at 67 nmol/L (range: 87-318 mnol/L) - my insurance changed and I was not able to see this doctor again. What does this mean?
Brief Answer:
You don't have VIt B12 deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Your doctor has ordered these tests to confirm a Vit B12 deficiency.
Methylmalonic acid is not a routine test but it is usually ordered when the values of Vit B12 are at the lower end of the normal range to diagnose Vit B12 deficiency.
If Methylmalonic acid level is elevated ,it indicates a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
So in your case since the level of Vit B12 is in normal range and the level of methylmalonic acid is not elevated , you don't have Vit B12 deficiency.
Decreased Methylmalonic acid levels are not clinically significant so you don't need to worry.
Hope it helps.
Please let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to help you.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
You don't have VIt B12 deficiency.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Your doctor has ordered these tests to confirm a Vit B12 deficiency.
Methylmalonic acid is not a routine test but it is usually ordered when the values of Vit B12 are at the lower end of the normal range to diagnose Vit B12 deficiency.
If Methylmalonic acid level is elevated ,it indicates a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
So in your case since the level of Vit B12 is in normal range and the level of methylmalonic acid is not elevated , you don't have Vit B12 deficiency.
Decreased Methylmalonic acid levels are not clinically significant so you don't need to worry.
Hope it helps.
Please let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to help you.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My previous bloodwork I was on the low range of normal but had "symptoms" that could be similar to b12 deficiency. I started supplementing some (wasn't consistent) and it did increase hence these results. Should I still supplement of not worry about it?
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I apologize for the delay in answering your follow-up query.
It is possible that the supplements of Vit B12 you have taken ,increased the levels of Vit B12 in blood.If your symptoms also improved from supplementing Vit B12 ,then most likely vitamin B12 deficiency was the cause.
Since now the level of Vit B12 in blood is normal ,you don't need to take any Vit B12 supplement .
Try to eat plenty of food-based sources of B12, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk to keep a Vit B12 in normal value.
Let me know if you have any other question.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I apologize for the delay in answering your follow-up query.
It is possible that the supplements of Vit B12 you have taken ,increased the levels of Vit B12 in blood.If your symptoms also improved from supplementing Vit B12 ,then most likely vitamin B12 deficiency was the cause.
Since now the level of Vit B12 in blood is normal ,you don't need to take any Vit B12 supplement .
Try to eat plenty of food-based sources of B12, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk to keep a Vit B12 in normal value.
Let me know if you have any other question.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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