And the number was 411. Normal range was 200-950 I think. I have been doing some research and people say you don't have to be anemic to have a deficiency so I asked my neuro about taking supplements. She said that I could take b12 but it really won't help because my large fibers are unaffected and that if I was deficient in this, then my small fibers would be spared. Wow, ok that was awkward. Pretty much, she said b12 supplementation only helps large fibers, not small. Is this true? I couldn't really find an answer anywhere. It just says b12 protects the myelin sheath (for large fibers as small fibers don't have any myelin). Would I not benefit from taking b12 (methylcob)?

they treat anyone below 550.

For a young person, with your numbers, I would take the B12. And folic acid too, incase you are genetically unable to handle methylation properly.

It is not like methylcobalamin is expensive orally. Or the folate. or harmful.

Are you taking alot of Zantac/Pepcid for heartburn? Prilosec? These reduce B12 absorption.

B12 is not just for nerves...it protects the heart too and your blood vessels.
For a young male, this heart protection is very important.
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...B12/index.html

Hi Aloneoutthere,

Can you tell us what unit of measurement was used for your B12 number?

It is important to always check the unit of measurement as false assumptions can be made if we conclude that it is only what 'we know'. You are probably looking at either pg/ml or pmol/L.

Take B12, sublingual -METHYLcobalamin.
At least 1000mcgs per day -
not along with any other vitamins or suppliments.
Its pleasant tasting and easy to take.
I take 2000-5000 per day.
I use Jarrow 1000mcg tablets & get it cheaply from iherb
when I buy 5-8 bottles along with my
CoQ10, ALA &, Omega 3-6-9 fish oil.
That way the shipping is spread out over many items-
esp if there's a special sale on.
They're fast, too.

The type of damage are many. No one type of nerve damage to the exclusion of others.

Deficiency would be less likely if the unit of measure is pmol/L, but it would still not rule it out. Some people are much higher than that and still deficient. B12 doesn't work in the blood, and most of the B12 tests will measure things masquerading at B12. There are also other reasons it is not a good test.

rose