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Prediabetes, HBa1c and B12 deficiency

N

nabilla

Well-Known Member
Messages
82
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only

Relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia - PMC

Previous studies showed that vitamin B12 deficiency anemia causes a false increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and that HbA1c decreases with B12 treatment. However, no study has been conducted on how much an increase in hemoglobin (Hgb) level ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
I was told I was prediabetic at the same time as I was told I have a B12 deficiency. I wondered if there might be a connection, and found the article above, a small study in a peer-reviewed journal. Does anyone have experience or.knowledge of this? I'm wondering if I've been misdiagnosed as prediabetic and if the B12 will sort out the glucose levels?
 
Thanks for this. I have also just been diagnosed with both, will follow up.
 
ErikaL said:
Thanks for this. I have also just been diagnosed with both, will follow up.
Click to expand...
Please let me know how you get on. I've been knackered the B12 group on Facebook that a friend recommended. The GP gave me B12 tablets, but the group pointed me towards NHS Nice guidelines that state that tablets are only suitable for those with B12 deficiency due to diet, mainly vegans who are not already supplementing. I've stopped taking my tablets and will need to now wait 4 months to be retested. I get an intrinsic factor test in two weeks' time and will also request a full iron panel. It's going to take a while to address but I'll be interested to find out if my HBA1C drops after the B12 is addressed.
 
I recently had an elevated ha1c as well. 5.8. Been checking glucose at home and fasting is 70-75, 1 hour after meals has never been above 104. I even did a glucose tolerance test and my result was 75 1 hour post 50g of sugar. So I’m thinking this is obviously incorrect. Lab mix up? Started researching and found low b12 has a clear association with falsely elevated ha1c. Although, most of the research researched b12 deficiency anemia specifically which according to my blood I don’t have. I requested a b12 test and a repeat ha1c which I will do soon.
 
I checked my Bilous and Donnelly. They are clear that there can be spurious HbA1c results in patients suffering from anemia. And one of the things that a B12 deficiency can cause is anemia.

You might want to be asking for a fasting plasma glucose test or an oral glucose tolerance test, which shouldn't have those problems.
 
I have both also. Please post how you get on.
Prescribed b12 and following the nutritional thingy. Feel better for it and attacking all bases
Won't know now if it's b12 or change in diet that is making me feel better
 
Thanks--i have a lovely diabetes nurse and I will ask her to carry out both these tests when I see her in December. I did have anaemia (borderline low B12, low haemoglobin, low enough folate for doctor to mention it, but not below lab levels, and normal ferritin) and as I'm not vegan have been addressing it with 3000mg sublingual B12 and the cofactors required to make sure it's absorbed: iron and an oral B12 complex that includes B6 and folate. I feel better, but not got any proof that it's the vitamins doing it!
I test regularly using a BGM but am now on a lowish carb Mediterranean diet and everything is generally within range. I've strayed three times--first with half a tiny wholemeal Chapatti that spiked my glucose levels, but that was before the vitamin regime. I'm on holiday now, and have strayed twice: once with some Spanish tapas that included deep fried lightly battered fish pieces and once with three large (very large) slices of sourdough pizza, quite thick crusts, thicker than I actually enjoy, but that didn't seem to stop me. I had two glasses of red wine on the night of both these meals. Both times, my post-meal BG was within range. With the fish, it was 4.9! So I have everything crossed that it was the anaemia that's caused the high HBA1C.
 
Please update if you can. I have read that low B12 can also mask iron deficiency anaemia, but I haven't read much on this. Lots of masks!
 
A rather fascinating post .

So sorry the vagueness of the testing itself is in dispute, hoping the treatment for the B12 deficiency rectifies the HBA1c for you .

I'd say even at prediabetic levels, it's still a good idea to swerve diabetes if at all possible and for as long as possible given the intensity of the push so many non healthy foods seem to get as 'healthy' imho.

B12 was of interest to me, a long tale I won't go into

But your post does intrigue me.

As we get older (60+) I have read in various articles our vitamin levels can go off a cliff.

And B12 for those taking Metformin can be particularly impacted...(Mine was until i asked to be tested and became aware)

Which does make me consider just what a seesaw & rollercoaster ride HBA1c might be for some .

Presuming your link is correct (I believe it is )
Even those actually in the zone to be classified as fully type 2 (which I am )
Might find that the increase in HBA1c might be less attributable to their dietary discipline and more to do in some way with their utilisation of B12 ?

A rather dispiriting moment if one happens to fall into that bracket and despite greater control they don't find their HBA1c falling as hoped by just diet alone... interesting.

Just to note I went lchf and successfully reduced my HBA1c back to sub normal levels despite the B12 deficiency.

Nasty stuff by the way .
Anyone impacted by a low B12
UK* only specifies below 190 but in Japan treatment starts below 500
*UK range is 900 down to 190, only then will blood tests register as outside range or abnormal , so be aware you could be way below a level you might expect to be safe at, without anyone informing you otherwise.

My tip to all ?
If on Metformin ask the GP to ADD B12 to your blood tests .
Mine did no problems .

Knowledge IS power ....
And as the adverts used to say .."you're worth it".
 
Last edited:
Just a quick added note.

I took very little notice of my blood tests before I got DX .

But after that I was like a stats nerd with them.

If anyone has concerns re a B12 deficiency and does have previous blood tests that doesn't include a B12 test .

I have read a rise in MCV, which most of my previous tests Contained, so might be in most in everyone else's?

Can be an indicator of B12 issues.


And if suffering kick back from surgery testing yours.

Could be a point to make to argue for yours to be tested.

Just saying .
 
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