B12 Experts - Suspension Of Supplements Before A Test?

[cristiana]

I'm looking on advice on whether taking a B12 supplement prior to a blood test will distort the true picture by 'artificially' raising the amount in the blood.

 

I have a few tingles and twitches which surface from time to time and am pretty sure that it is when my B12 is low.  I have started on methycobalimin 1000mcg sublingual supplements in the last two days, prior to that for a couple of weeks I was taking cobalamin supplements and a general B complex, and I feel they are making a difference but my lovely GP, quite rightly, wants to check where my levels are at the moment.  

 

When I was diagnosed my levels were pretty borderline BUT I was taking Berocca so I am never really sure how accurate those were.  My feeling is I might have been offered some shots had Berocca not been helping.  

 

My question is, do any of you know is it necessary to do a supplement fast before a blood test for a truer picture and if so, how long would you give it?  At the moment my test is booked for end of next week.

 

Many thanks!

[kareng]

For me, I continue to take my vitamins and see what my levels are. If they are at the high end, I know I can take less. If they are at the lower end or in the middle, I figure I am doing the right thing by taking them. If I am still low, I know I need to take more or heal more. For some vitamins, not taking them for a week wouldn't really effect the levels.... So it might give you a false sense that you don't need them?

[ravenwoodglass]

Ask your doctor to be on the safe side. Mine didn't want me supplementing for a week or two before the levels were tested. 

[cristiana]

Thanks so much friends.  My GP did tell me that I could keep taking them but I wanted to check with the experts on this board too. The buzzing in my cheek is really playing up now having almost fizzled out (literally!) UNTIL I saw my doctor and she told me she was going to give me a barrage of blood test - B12 is just one of them...  She has ordered so many tests 

 

My Gastroenterologist says that I have 'white coat tachycardia' - i.e. my BP soars in a medical setting, seems I have white coat neuropathy too...