anemic from flare

If you are not taking strong B12 suppliments then a possible cause is small bowel (bacterial)overgrowth.
B12 is mostly absorbed in the later part of the small intestine.
B12 can be generated by bacteria, but the the small intestine normally has a VERY much lower level of bacterial growth than the colon. If you are anaemic and there is a high demand for red cell/haemoglobin production then blood B12 levels normally tend to drop. BUT if you are max-ing out on probiotics or have a natural weakness towards bacterial invasion they may get a foothold in the higher gut and the resulting symptoms are very simmilar to UC.
Top of normal range for my local lab is 880 but my daughter reached 1250ish when I was supplimenting VSL3 yoghurt and Mutaflor capsules. She had a period of very fluid D and the B12 level rapidly dropped to a much more normal 500ish. So there IS such a thing as too much probiotic, but if you are not taking them to excess you might want to consider options to tip against the balance of an over-susceptibility, such as influencing gut pH levels or using Saccharomyces Boularii to evict less favourable species.
Sue

Hi Donna
B12 is a water soluble vitamin and so excess is normally passed in urine, but some supplements have massive doses in them which takes time to clear. The timeing of your blood test relative to when you took the supplement tablets is also important because it will be at it's lowest just before your dose and at it's highest a few hours after taking it. To get a better idea of your natural 'baseline' levels it is better to not take your vitamin tablets for 24 hours before the blood test. Missing one day wont hurt and it gives a better indication of your natural status. I would get your B12 checked again when off supplements before testing for bacterial overgrowth.
Sue