I have peripheral neuropathy which results in numbness of the front part of both feet. I do not have diabetes, but it does run im my family. What range of B-12 should I shoot for? I have read that the range listed in blood tests is not adequate for people with neuropathy.

Rose is our B12 expert, but i don't think she would mind me helping out, she recommends NOT LESS the 1 mg or 1,000 mcg daily methylcobalamin supplements, also a good multi B supplement daily.
Its a personal choice when you take the multi B but i like to take it in the morning and take the b12 some other time during the day usually taken on a empty stomache.
What is your B12 levels now ? have you been classed as idopathic Neuropathy or not yet diagnosed ?

Brian

I already take of B-12 and a B Complex. What I want to know is what the range of the blood tests should be. I recently doubled my B-12 to 2 grams per day. Before doubling my reading was 895. After doubling it is greater than 1000, with no further information how much greater than 1000 it is.

I'd aim for over 1000. Much higher is fine.

Good job, Brian.

rose

Thanks Rose,

I had blood drawn today for another test which will be sent to another Laboratory if the readings are greater than 1000. The local labs do not discriminate for any value above 1000.

I do not think I have B-12 deficiency, but I will stay on 2 grams of methycobalimin.

B-12, what you don't asorb or need simply goes out. Do watch the B-6 tho, that hangs around and can aggravate PN.
B-1 also doesn't hang around in your system.
Just some things to keep in mind.
Hope this helps - j

Thanks to Rose and others here I'm taking B-vitamins and having good results. I'm taking about 3 mcg per day of B-12 and two different B-Complexes including a sublingual liguid, and I've been taking two 400mcg of Folic Acid. I also take two 1000 mg fish oil caps per day, 1 garlic cap @ 1000 mg/day. I got some Slow-Mag today and just started taking that tonight. Hoping for some relief from the RLS type symptoms I experience from time to time.

I space the B-vitamins out so that I'm taking two pretty much equally divided doses a day. The fish caps are taken twice a day with a meal, the garlic is taken with the first fish oil cap of the day.

I've been taking the B-vitamins for about 3 months now and I've gone from pain that kept me awake *every* night because of the intensity level to now being at an only annoying level that may attempt to interfere with my sleep one or two nights a week. I'm *so* grateful for this improvement. If I hadn't found this board I'd still be up the creek without a paddle.

It's a slow process and I started at a much lower level and have been gradually increasing my amount of B-12. I think I may even go a bit higher. The nature of B-12 and how it's absorbed makes it one of the safest ways to treat PN. It doesn't work for *everyone* but there are apparently many of us that it does work for to varying degrees.

Look at it this way: Compared to many of the drugs doctors want to throw at us to treat this condition and their accompanying sides B-vitamins are a walk in the park and you have nothing to lose and much to gain by trying it.

I have a ? why the slow increase in b12 supplments? If there is no harm? I have been taking the 1000 b12 and a b complex for awhile. My b12 is 1500 which is down from 2000. Anyhow can I still increase to another b12 so 2000? I'm not seeing any benefit but not sure if this will do anything for my issue.

Jarrett:

This is what you wrote: "I'm taking about 3 mcg per day of B-12"

If you are taking 3 mcgs of b-12, you'll have a b-12 deficiency like you would not imagine.


lol

Melody

There is no reason to increase B12 slowly, unless one is so near death (fragile) that any change (even improvement) can tip the balance. And that would be rare even in a fragile person.

Under almost all circumstances, the idea is to get stores refilled as quickly as possible.

Jarrett,

I'm so glad you have improved. I assume you meant 3 mg B12.

Regarding Melody's comment : Three mcg per day would prevent deficiency in those who have not begun to malabsorb severely, but for many of us they would be useless.

rose