AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease. I am already a well established and highly rated expert in the pharmacy section of this site.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" Editions 1-4 published between 1994 and 2004 by Pearson Education, Australia. Author of the 5th edition published 2007.
Author of many scientific papers.
Education/Credentials BSc(Hons);MSc;PhD;HECert
Awards and Honors The 4th edition of my textbook was awarded the the Educational Book of the Year Award in Australia.
Past/Present Clients See my profile in the pharmacy section.
Question Hi
I have just had my vitamin b12 readings done and they are 275. Is the normal range 200-900??
I have all symptoms of B12 deficiency - pins and needles, chronic fatigue, headaches, no energy, pains in my chest, pale etc.
My doctors says that the readings are normal and im more or less simply a 'worrier' with no real medical problems!
But because my reading is on the lower end of the scale, i thought id like a second opion please?
Thanks!
Answer Dear Jolene
Like your doctor I can say you have not got B12 deficiency.You have stated the normal range correctly and being on the lower end is really clinically meaningless. ie symptoms of pernicious anaemia do not occur until the level has fallen below the 200 mark for maybe a year or so. Your symptoms could be due to many things but I am not in a position to comment from half way around the world. I would say that further investigations should be carried out and perhaps you should be referred to a neurologist for a more thorough investigation.
