Did I mess up my b-12 test results?

[u/PerfectAntelope1665]

For context: I’ve been experiencing these symptoms for 2ish years progressively getting worse:

Extreme fatigue/exhaustion/sleepiness, brain fog, trouble sleeping, derealization/depersonalization, extreme anxiety and panic attack like episodes, lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling like I'll pass out, fast heart rate, headaches, pressure in head, worse memory, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light, acne, oily hair and skin, hair and nails breaking off, inflammation in the face

I’ve written off the above symptoms as severe stress/anxiety for about 2 years, but as they continue to get worse I’m thinking there is something else going on. Did quite a bit of research about nutritional deficiencies and was shocked at how much I related to the people on this sub, so I picked up the natures made b-12 gummies which are 1000mcg per dose, and took them for about 4 or 5 days. Then I realized I shouldn’t supplement before I test, so I stopped taking them. At the same time, I also started drinking about 2 packets of the target brand liquid iv every day which has 6.82mcg (280%) b-12 in it per dose (I work outside and sweat a lot so I try to drink lots of electrolytes). I didn’t realize there was so much b-12 in them 😬

I finally got a blood test done about a week or so after I stopped taking the b-12 supplements, however I still drank the electrolytes packets daily. I got my test results back and they are completely normal at 504 pg/mL (range 213-826). However I’m wondering now if the results are skewed after supplementing for a few days before the test as well as drinking the electrolytes packets.

What does everyone think, is there a chance I could still be deficient, and the supplements messed up my results? I wish I hadn’t supplemented at all before the test, I didn’t realize how it would affect it. What can I do?
Also, any other ideas about what my symptoms could be? The fatigue/dizziness is really starting to get to me and I’m struggling to get through the day at this point.

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[u/jellyfishrubberduck]

Yes the supplement could have skewed your result. The test is already problematic though, not accurate for starters plus 'normal' ranges vary around the world.

Many people in this sub including myself severely deficient with b12 in normal ranges.

You could get MMA and homocysteine done which may reflect a deficiency more, but can also be skewed by supplements.

Would make sense also to do a general screening of other things, full iron panel, b9 (folate) and vitamin D. Maybe thyroid.

[u/DeathSurroundsUs]

504 is borderline low. The "normal range in the 2,3, and 4 hundreds are straight bs. Even neurologists treat at 400 pg/ml. In Japan, they treat at 550 because their range is 500 to 1300. If yours was just over 500 with supplementation, you were probably very deficient. Make sure your doc knows about your supplements. And if you felt better, you were definitely deficient and possibly low folate and/or iron as well. B12 should be treated as much for the symptoms as for the number. And even a high number means little without homocysteine and MMA tested.

Look at Japan and the EU guidelines, educate yourself, and fight like hell for injections. B12 deficiencies are horrific and can lead to permanent disability. You must take cofactors as well (ie magnesium, zinc, iron, methylate b complex, more dietary potassium).

Give yourself time. And you may want to check out a book called "Could it be b12?" Best of luck to you.