Dear friends,
This is Madhu, 35 year female, writing from India. Since, 3 months I was having the following symptoms.
1.Severe tiredness
2.Mental confusion
3.Burning sensations in the palms and toes
4.Occasional muscle pain
I have consulted a general physician/neurologist/endocrinologist and was found to be negative for diabetes, thyroid issues. Total protein(normal), ANCA(negative), ESR(normal), ANA(negative), anti ds DNA(negative) and CRP(negative). Nerve conduction study was also normal.

In the meantime, thanks to this forum, I was taking vit B12(1500 microgram) supplementation. I did undergo the vit B12 and vit D tests voluntarily(doctor didn't order) and the results were below.
Vit D 25-Hydroxy serum- 13.2 nmol/litre
Vit B12-537 pg/ml(may not be a true value as I was on B12-1500 microgram supplementation until the previous day of the test.

Currently(just started), I am taking natural factors Vit B12 5 mg(batural factors) in empty stomach in the morning(neurologist prescribed a multivitamin capsule which has B12 1500 microgram at night after dinner-i didn't follow his recommendation, thank to the information from this great forum) and Vit D(cholecalciferol 60, 000 IU once in a week for 8 weeks).

My request to the fellow friends here for the following
1. Am I doing a right thing?
2.Do any of you recommend any additional supplementation such as Benfotiamine/alpha lipoic acid etc to start.
3.Do you recommend any additional tests?

In India, I am having very limited access to these supplements. I did get the vit B12 from natural factors with lots of difficulties.

Please help.

Thanks in advance
Madhu

Welcome madhu.

If you are really low in B12... and I suspect you are, it will take some months to get better. Low B12 is very common in India.
A reading like yours without discontinuing at least 3 days before testing, shows a potential for still being low. You want to strive for 1000pg/ml until your symptoms resolve. Never get below 400pg/ml after that.

Many papers on the subject are available from India on PubMed and Google, and you should be able to get MethylB12 there. I believe it is called mecobalamin.

http://www.drugs.com/international/mecobalamin.html

Lipoic acid there may be called thiotic acid. We have had posters from India list the medications their doctor gave them, and methylB12 was in them.

Hi Madhu,
I suggest also going to a WELL respected homeopath there as well. Hopefully you have access to that.
Sorry for your troubles.
Hope it is a vitamin deficiency.
Good luck!

Hello mrsD,
Thanks very much for your reply. I am requesting your comments for the following.
1.What is your opinion about my Vit D levels? Is this responsible(fully or partially) for some of the mental symptoms and pain in the palms and toes?
2.Based on some discussions and your advice in this forum, I thought of not going for a multi vitamin supplement. I am taking vit B12, 5mg currently. Do you suggest me to go for other individual supplements? If yes, what will be them?
3.I just checked in some of the sites that I will be able to order the supplements from Natural factors/Jarrow et al. So this should not be a problem

Thanks for all

Madhu

Your Vit D level is low.

Vit D improves pain, and the immune system. So continue taking it as long as it is D3, cholecalciferol.

Take the 5mg of methyl B12 too. It can take a few weeks to see results, so be patient.

You may have to add methylfolate... some people cannot activate folic acid because of a common DNA mutation. But see what happens so far with the ones you are taking. There is a test for MTHFR DNA errors, but I don't know if they do that regularly where you are.

Dear mrsD,
I just had my body check up completed including the analysis of Vit D and B12. I consulted a physician because since last week I was experiencing lack of sleep including waking up in the mid night which might have affected my regular activities(experiencing feeling very much tired, getting tensed, irritability etc) in the day time. ECG, echo, thyroid and glucose function tests resulted normal.

My Vit D levels improved(150 nmol/litre) and the Vit B12 levels were 900 pg/ml. I am wondering the reason for the type of symptoms I am currently experiencing?

My big dilemma is whom to consult about this, very much confused. Any help?

Thanks
Madhu

Did you stop the B12 for several days before the testing?

If not, then your result is not accurate, and is falsely elevated.
If you did stop the B12 for at least 3 days, and have that result, then 900 is a level to stay at. So continue your dose.

B12 helps with sleep...the methyl form is a cofactor to make melatonin (sleep hormone) from serotonin.

If you are taking too much folate, that could rev you up some too.

Do you take your B12 in the morning? If not, I'd switch to that time.

Some people get "energized" by B12. You could try taking every other day, and see if you notice any difference.

Dear mrsD,
Thanks so much for your comments. I haven't taken vit B12 for 6 days before giving the blood samples for analysis, so this number should be a accurate one. I did take Vit B12 in the morning in the empty stomach. Also, I am not taking folate.

Do you suggest me to to some more tests for Any other other vits and minerals?

Thanks,
Madhu