Combining them raises the risk of side effects without adding benefit
However, there are many unusual symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, and most will disappear after taking vitamin B12 long enough to get the stores up to a normal amount and have maintained stable levels of vitamin B12
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Initial assessment typically includes: Detailed history: Your doctor will ask about B12 supplementation, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, medications, and symptoms suggesting liver disease, kidney disease, or malignancy Physical examination: Looking for signs of liver disease (hepatomegaly, jaundice), lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, or other abnormalities Medication review: Identifying any supplements or medications that might explain the elevation First-line investigations commonly include: Repeat B12 measurement: Confirming persistent elevation after stopping supplements (if applicable), ideally using the same laboratory Full blood count (FBC): Assessing for anaemia, polycythaemia, or abnormal white cell counts that might suggest haematological disorders Peripheral blood film: May be requested if blood count abnormalities are present Liver function tests: Evaluating for hepatic disease through ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and albumin Renal function tests: Measuring creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) Inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) if inflammation is suspected Further investigations may be arranged based on initial findings: Haematology referral: If FBC abnormalities suggest myeloproliferative disorders (e.g., raised haemoglobin, platelets), specialist assessment with JAK2 mutation testing or bone marrow examination may be necessary Liver imaging: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scanning if liver disease or hepatic malignancy is suspected Additional blood tests: Including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) if clinically indicated If results remain unexplained, discussion with the laboratory about possible macro-B12 or assay interference may be helpful
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