Low B12 can be due to

* A diet low in vitamin B12 --- are you a vegetarian?
* Alcoholism --- do you drink lots of alcohol?
* Abdominal or intestinal surgery --- have you have this?
* Crohn's disease --- do you have a diagnosis for CD?
* Intestinal malabsorption disorders
* Fish tape worm
* Pernicious anemia

How long will you be taking the B12 vitamins? Treatment for this form of anemia is usually effective.

Hi so sorry for the delay in replying-

* A diet low in vitamin B12 --- are you a vegetarian? NO
* Alcoholism --- do you drink lots of alcohol? NO
* Abdominal or intestinal surgery --- have you have this? NO
* Crohn's disease --- do you have a diagnosis for CD? I have had IBS since I was about 12.

I have been told that my b12 level was 52. My doctor doesn't seem to think this would cause any of my symptoms. He also checked to see if my body is producing intrinsic factor which it is so it can't be pernicious anemia.

I'm really cofused as to why my b12 is so low. I have been taking my b12 pills for 3 weeks now and I don't feel any better.

Any suggestions? Thanks

You'll need to follow up with your doctor. Correction of a Vitamin B12 deficiency state should lead to a marked reticulocytosis for anemia in one to two weeks. If you're not responding to the oral vitamins, you may need intramuscular injections or another treatment plan. Schedule your follow up visit now!

What does marked reticulocytosis for anemia mean?

Reticulocytosis = an elevation in the number of reticulocytes (young red blood cells)...bascially that the anemia gets better.

My doctor said that although my b12 is low- I'm not anemic. Is this possible?

It's possible to have low vitamin B-12 concentrations without an anemia diagnosis. When's your next appointment?

I've to go back to get my levels retested when I finish my b12 pills (50 mcg cyanocobalamin 3 times a day) which should be next week sometime.