I take both my B12 and thyroid together. Never had a problem with this as tests show both are doing well.

FOOD, esp the fiber in food complexes the B12 and reduces its passive absorption in the intestine (this is not including intrinsic factor).

Complexes usually have small amounts of B12 and this will not make it to the intestine if food is present and/or you have little or no intrinsic factor activity. If you have good intrinsic factor status, you may absorb the B12 in them. But people who are testing low and/or have neuro symptoms typically have low serum levels, and hence that implies that intrinsic factor is not working. Hence you need to assure passive absorption instead, meaning taking a high dose orally on a empty stomach.

Intrinsic factor needs acidic stomach and can be destroyed by autoimmune disease or be not present genetically .

Sometimes? I can't take ascorbic acid due to IBS, so I take 1000-4000 mg. of Ester C daily. Since it's a water-soluble like B-12, and there's no upper limit, it's probably not a bad idea to take it daily (amount up to what works best for you; I take more undr stress, when I'm exposed to viruses, etc.). The extra calcium in Ester C isn't bad either.

I recently had the same question about B-12 & Synthroid for my aunt (and got the same reply from mrsD). No problems that I've heard of.

Any idea why the CPAP isn't working well? There's a separate forum for that, if you'd like to go into it.

Most of the other symptoms you describe may be the Hashimoto's (from what little I've read about it - all kinds of thyroid issues in the family) but could be other things coincidental. Off the top of my head, magnesium and pantothenic acid come to mind, but that's something to investigate, decide for yourself, and talk with your doctor about. Sounds like your new PCP may have more on the ball.

Best wishes,

Doc

How can I be checked for intrinsic factor? Is it a blood test or something more complicated than that? Do regular laboratories do the test or will I need to do something with a special lab? I'm seeing my Endocrinologist in early October and usually get various blood tests before the appt.

Should I also get my other B vitamins tested? My folate levels are good, as are my Magnesium and other blood work I've done.

The more I think about the, the more I'm angry that none of my doctors thought to add this simple blood test to my panel until now. I started seeing a new GP and she added B-12 as an afterthought! I may have been deficient in B-12 for the past 15 years (I have had Hashimoto's since the birth of my second child 15 years ago).

Thanks for letting me know that I can take the B-12 and Synthoid together. That really helps.

This morning I took my Synthroid early (half awake in bed) and later after I got up, I took 1,000 mcg of B-12 sublingual, as well as my regular B-complex (which I now see has 400 mcg of B-12). Within a half hour I began to feel rather shaky. I suppose it will take some trial and error to find the right dosage, at least for first thing in the morning. Perhaps taking 1400 mcg all at once is too much for me at the moment. Should I divide it up and take it a couple of times per day? I know that I shouldn't take it too late in the day, as it is "activating."

The sublingual B-12 I got at Walgreens is Cyanocobalamin (sp?) and is made by Nature's Bounty. My B-Complex has 400 mcg Methylcobalamin and is made by Pure Encapsulations. It also has 20mg of B-6 (10 mg of Activated B-6 and 10 mg of non-Activated). I could list all the ingredients if you want. It's supposed to be a very good brand, but I would appreciate advice from you guys on a good brand of each of these (B-12 and a B-complex). I know that being on the birth control pill can additionally sap me of B vitamins, so that might be an additional factor in this.

I noticed that someone had said they were taking Jarrow. I know that is a good brand. I have an excellent health food store in town that I could get that from (or just go online).

Thank you all so much for your advice and help!

Another question about B-12 or what auto-immune disease can do to your gut....

After my second child was born 15 years ago, I got depressed, was found to have Hashimoto's....and began to get lactose intolerant, "out of the blue."

Until recently, I just took a Lactaid pill with dairy and I was fine.

But in the past few months, the lactose intolerance is beginning to become a huge problem. Even if I take 1 or 2 Lactaid Ultra pills, some dairy foods still give me a problem with gas, bloating, and very embarrassing very foul smelling wind, like an awful sewer! It is disgusting. It's as if I didn't even take the Lactaid pills. I have had to totally avoid dairy for several days to calm it down when it gets bad.

I drink Lactaid milk and that's OK for me (a little in my decaf or cereal....I don't guzzle it). I know that soft cheeses are worse, and that dairy foods low in fat are worse, so I try to avoid those.

Can B-12 deficiency and/or auto-immune disease be causing this sudden increase in lactose intolerance?

I'm sure you guys might tell me to give up dairy, but I don't want to!

I wasn't this way when I was younger....never used to have any sort of problem with dairy before my daughter was born in 1996 and all hell broke loose in my body.

Oh, BTW, I had a colonoscopy last year (welcome to age 50) and was found to be squeaky clean, no problems whatsoever.

Very little B12 is absorbed orally. That is why you take a huge dose so a few micrograms will get thru. Not likely to cause anything noticeable at all. Doctors typically don't test intrinsic factor anymore (Schilling's test--most labs stopped offering it)
There is a test for antibodies to stomach parietal cells to look for autoimmune issues.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003351.htm

You could be shakey due to low blood sugar, in the morning.

You can try something for foul smelling GI issues. Get some Psyllium seed (either powder or the capsules) Take one or 2 capsules daily to start with alot of water at mealtimes, and see if they work. Say one for breakfast and one dinner.
They will absorb any toxins in your bowel, that are causing you grief (smells and IBS type symptoms). This works very well for minor bowel disruptions. You may find you can eat better after a couple of weeks of this. Also look at your sugar consumption. Fructose can cause lots of gas, as well as sucrose, because it feeds Candida. Stop all sugar and fructose for 2 weeks and see if the gas is better. These are two common causes. If this does not work, you'll have to think of something else to try.

You may need some good probiotics ultimately, but try this simple inexpensive thing first.

Any advice on brands of B vitamins which are better than average?


Also, is the sublingual Cyanocobalamin OK, or should I be looking for sublingual Methylcobalamin instead?

Oral works the same. I don't believe much is absorbed sublingually. The tablet dissolves and you swallow that saliva and it then becomes ORAL.

I take mine as a sublingual. There are a few differences between oral and sublingual.

The tablet is placed under the tongue and kept there as long as possible letting it slowly dissolve. I can make a single 5000 mcg Jarrow Mb12 last about 30 minutes this way before it's completely dissolved. After it is dissolved, I wait another 30 minutes or so before drinking anything to allow for some additional absorbtion of the B12 into the tissue lining of my mouth and throat.

Avoid chewing or slurping down the tablet which is the same as taking it orally. Placing it under the tongue lets the B12 be directly absorbed by the blood stream. In theory, it is then easily absorbed by the body for immediate use.

Naturally, a sizeable portion of the tablet does get consumed orally anyway as it runs down into the throat to the stomach.

I believe one can achieve a faster rate of absorption for this method of administration than by purely oral use.

Tablets taken orally undergo the process of normal digestion. I'm almost paranoid regarding the ability of my digestive system to properly absorb B12 so I go the sublingual route knowing that part of the dosage passes through the blood stream to the brain.

And--
 

--given some of the symptoms you've described, and the strong possibility of malabsorption and autoimmune issues, some testing for celiac and gluten sensitivity would seem to be in order:

http://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/

I have never found any papers in 10 yrs showing sublingual is a good way to provide B12 in supplement form. The oral mucosa is a very small surface area and the molecule needing absorption is very large.

If people insist on doing this, the only harm is causing some inflammation or reaction of the mouth membranes to the tablet and its other contents. If the pH of the tablet is acidic, then erosion of dental enamel may occur as well.

There ARE however many papers evaluating ORAL vs injectable forms and the oral has shown repeated success and value.

more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12

B12 remains a sublingual because historically that is how it began orally. Now we know orally works (especially if used on an empty stomach). This is common in medicine...historical use. Magnesium oxide now known to not be absorbed at all orally is still prescribed by doctors for low magnesium levels, because historically it was the only magnesium supplement for a long time. Another remaining historical use is D2 on RX...which has been found about 80% less effective than OTC D3 in correcting D deficiency. But doctors continue to prescribe it anyway.

If anyone can find a good study showing sublingual B12 is better than oral, I'd like to see it.
There are many papers on PubMed now concerning ORAL administration, and its usefulness.

I chew up my tablets (which are cherry flavored) and swallow on an empty stomach. My tests showed a very robust response to my trial of the new Puritan's methylcobalamin. (level 1999 after 3 months of treatment--this is the top of the testing range and US labs typically cannot read higher).

[QUOTE=glenntaj;801966]--given some of the symptoms you've described, and the strong possibility of malabsorption and autoimmune issues, some testing for celiac and gluten sensitivity would seem to be in order:


Thanks Glenn. I'm looking for a new neuro willing to actually listen and perform more than just the most simple tests. This possibility will be on my list.

anyone..with..Hashies...should..be..checked..for.. celiac,..gluten..issues

I can't find any "real" studies suggesting sublingual is better than oral. Everything I have found through research indicates that oral and sublingual B12 abosrption rates are equal. The one difference is that sublinguals might be better with those that have intestinal aborption issues. There are potential disadvantges as well if inflamation occurs inside the mouth with use of sublinguals.

Here are some links of interest:

http://sublingualb12report.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublingual_administration

http://www.livestrong.com/article/51...orbed-quickly/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/22...mins-absorbed/

I don't have any inflamation issues in my mouth associated with sublinguals, but I know they can occur in some people. My first experience with sublingual B12 was a strong reaction (feeling anxiety combined with a jittery caffiene type feeling) about 2-3 minutes after putting it under my tongue so I know it abosrbs quickly into the blood stream. How much actually is abosrbed through the tissue lining into the blood stream vs. orally as it passes into the stomach is debatable. I do know that the longer you keep the pill under your mouth or between the cheek and gums, the better the absorption rate through the blood stream. Some days I can make the tablet last a long time and other days not so much.


Sublinguals are not for everyone and the effective use of B12 administered orally is well documented.

I was tested for gluten intolerance about 8 years ago and was found to be fine with that. We did the full blood panel for it, whatever that was.

Should I be tested for that again? Can you just "develop" it if you've tested negative for it in the past?

Yes, some studies imply that heavy use of NSAIDs (like Aleve and Ibuprofen and others) suppress Cox-2 enzyme in the GI tract that is useful there in preventing unwanted substances like the gluten peptide from entering.

So it is possible but not proven 100% that gluten intolerance may be acquired. This is different from genetic Celiac which has gene markers present. It is not known at this time if other drugs also cause this. But so far with the abundance of tablets consumed by the American Public RX and OTC daily, significant GI impact may occur and contribute. Even little kids, are taking Motrin liquid commonly.

Other inflammations of the GI tract may also be an issue.

Interesting. I do take more Ibuprofen than a lot of people because of my back pain. I "try" not to take it, but some days I just can't function without it and will take 2 or 3 Advil a couple of times per day. Or more if I'm really suffering (which thankfully isn't too often).

I will have to pay close attention to see if my GI issues get worse when I've been taking Ibuprofen. I never correlated that before, so thank you!

BTW, I hurt my foot recently and my podiatrist told me to take Aleve twice a day for a week. It made me incredibly depressed and I had to switch to Ibuprofen instead. When I stopped taking the Aleve, my mood felt better within a day. I'm staying away from that stuff! As far as I can tell, Ibuprofen doesn't give me any mood problems. (Either does Tylenol).

I also want to add....I've been taking 1,000 mcg of B-12 for the past few days and my energy level and concentration are so much better already! Not sure why I felt so hyper after taking it the first time (the Cyano variety), but the Methyl variety seems to be fine. Not sure if the fact that the first one was Cyano has anything to do with it. But anyway, I'm thinking about increasing to 2,000 mcg for a while if I tolerate it. I understand that a person should usually start off at a higher dose for the first few weeks, then level off a bit.
Does that sound like a good plan, or should I stay on 1,000 steadily? I'm getting my blood tested again in mid-October, which will be enough time to see whether the B-12 supplementation is helping raise my levels.

You can go up if you feel like it for the B12. I'd stop it about a week before testing, just to eliminate the contribution of the supplement to your test results.

I would expect a good response to be 1000 or more. If it is less than 1000, then I'd go higher on the B12 until it serum levels go up.

If you have good intrinsic factor status, you should see a robust response to the B12. This would be because you are absorbing more than a person with damaged intrinsic factor. This is important to know, for future supplement needs and use.

NSAIDs vary in how lipophilic they are. (soluble in fat). The high lipophilic ones pass into the blood brain barrier more easily.
Ketoprofen is typically the one chosen for topical use for this reason.(many compounded creams use it) The more lipophilic ones will cause blurred vision and drowsiness in some people. Indomethacin, which is highly lipophilic, is often used for headache treatments in fact.

I tried to find a list of NSAIDs according to lipophilicity, but was not successful.

I personally find Aleve tablets useless for my purposes. But the liquigel? I find it excellent. Hubby does not like it however. So there are personal reactions to the various dosage forms.

YES!!!..you..can..develope..celiac...at..any..time ...you..inherit..the..predisposition...need..a..tr iggering..event......ie,...stressful...event...... physical-or-psych.

I need a little more advice. I've been searching the web and can't seem to get a straight answer on this....

At first the B-12 was making me feel good and energetic. In fact, these days I feel pretty good in the morning and early afternoon. I've been taking the B-12 for about a week, and I have been noticing that I have begun to feel extremely tired by around 3 p.m. I mean, REALLY dragged out like I need to take a nap. This is not usual for me. I am beginning to suspect that the B-12 has something to do with it, because this late afternoon tiredness began a few days after starting the B-12.

I read something about the connection between B-12 and potassium...that if you start on B-12 supplements you might get low in potassium. There is no way for me to know my potassium levels without a blood test, and I won't have one for another month.

In the morning, I take the 1,000 mcg B-12 along with my Synthroid about 45 minutes before I eat, and my B-complex with breakfast.

In the afternoon I usually take my multi-vitamin (which has 80 mg potassium), along with 2,000 IU vitamin D, and fish oil capsules.

Sometimes I'm out for lunch and don't have my vitamins with me, so I don't take the lunchtime vitamins until dinner. Either way, I seem to be getting really tired by 3 p.m. and I remain tired for many hours.

I don't drink caffeine (can't tolerate it -- just wanted you to know that caffeine has nothing to do with this).

Any ideas why I'm getting so tired? Could it be potassium? Should I be taking a potassium supplement as well? If so, when should I take it, and how much? (Or I could try adding more potassium-rich foods to my diet, like maybe one can of prune juice (I love prunes!)

If it's not potassium, then what could be causing it?

Thank you!

There could be a lot of reasons--
 

--that have nothing to do with your supplementation, including a low blood sugar state post lunch (relative hypoglycemia), which is not all that uncommon . . .

Also, people's circadian rhythms differ, and a number of people report a natural down period in the middle of the afternoon, especially if they are prone to post-meal hypoglycemic states . . .

Has this only been happening since you've been supplementing, or has it been present before and been exacerbated by it, or is it more noticeable in comparison with the relatively higher morning energy state?

The potassium connection only exists for those very low in B12 levels to start with, who had anemia as well.

High injectable doses of B12 which may be given daily in the beginning, will stimulate the bone marrow to make more red cells quickly. Red cells contain alot of potassium and since this mineral is not stockpiled in the bones like calcium is, a sudden need for it may develop.

It is not going to happen the same way as a gradual oral supplementation of B12 would be vastly different.
I don't get the energized thing with B12 at all. Some people don't.
You might want to eat potassium rich foods, as many people don't, and the new nutritional target recommendation is 4.6 grams a day.
A can of V8 juice is very high (about 600-800mg)...higher than bananas, etc. The low sodium one is 1100mg! This is easy to do, and more effective than OTC supplements which are only 99mg. Gatorade only supplies 30mg a serving...useless.

But we all do have a circadian rhythm of cortisol production. It is highest in the morning after breakfast and a second less high spike after dinner. It is lowest at 4am or so (and this is when people most commonly die in hospitals or in their sleep) and a second less low dip at 4pm in the afternoon. This is why I believe the British have "teatime". A snack at 4pm tends to take away the subjective feelings of being low when that cortisol dips.

My guess is that when people are low in B12, they feel awful most of the time, and the 4pm dip is just more of the same. Improve things and get going nicely, and these patients would feel better for most of the day, so when the "dip" arrives it is more noticeable.

B12 responsive is highly subjective and always has been. Doctors know this, and in the historical past used to use it as a placebo treatment for any complaints of "tiredness" and fatigue that patients would complain about. It was so abused this way that the medical community overreacted and slapped sanctions on doctors for using it this way. So today, we see a reluctance to even test for it, or use the new lab ranges that are more accurate, because the med schools still teach that it is a mostly useless treatment and not to do it! To this day many doctors ignore elevated MCV in the blood work which is a direct hint that B12 is low!

I received the blood work of my cat, which was done before vacation. And the vet on the phone said it was all normal. But it is not...HER MCV is elevated! And I looked that up on the net at a Vet site, and MCV is elevated in about 50% of hyperthyroid cats. And she has that nodule on her left lobe he found. So tomorrow, I will be going to a cat specialty vet, and I just bet she gets some B12 injections! (I saw another owner picking that up for HER cat one day in the waiting room!)

I am still reeling that our own 13 yr old cat may need B12 ---and that her tests show what happens to humans as well!
I'll post tomorrow afternoon, as her appointment is at 10am.
I might have to wait for her bloodwork. (this cat vet does some right there, and sends other things out to a lab).

Mrs. D - When I joined in July, 2011 I had done a post to you; not realizing at the time, you were on vacation Had spine fusion/laminectomy L4-5, red angry nerve (doctor's words) and cysts going surrounding many of the vertebrae (cysts removed). Post surgery, still left with severe pain, as well as shin pain in both legs. Orginal and 2nd surgeon both felt there was nothing more that could be done and was referred to a Pain Specialist, which I currently am seeing.
Due to heavy pain meds (oxycotin, percocet) developed severe constipation eventually resulting in Cystocele surgery. Within a week or so, my legs,feet,ankles started swelling. (currently take Spironolactone and Furosemide daily)Also, developed statsis dermatatis in feet and ankles now up to knees.Shortly afterwards the burning feet, ankle and leg pain was awful and kept getting worse. I thought it was from the Statsis Dermatatis. My internist/endocrinolgist said the pain was from my Neuropathy. Started lookin info and now everything going on made sense, including balance problem as well.

Until a couple of months ago, when I started taking Methyl B12 took Miralax about 5 or 6 times a week. Although I have a lot of cramping and stomach issues since taking the Methyl B12, I only need Miralax once a week.

I recently had lab work done prior to doctor's appointment. Appointment cancelled and do not see doctor until the end of September. Since I had started taking the Methyl B12 and a B Complex asked doctors' office to check B12 & B6 (had purchased B6; but only took a few days) levels as well as other tests (hypothroid) Also, am taking 2,000 Vit D's daily since originally had been low at 18.
After six weeks of taking the Methyl B12 my count was 922. My D had gone up to 32. I had the B6 lab test done last week. The doctor's office called today to tell me my B6 was 54.1 and the normal is 2.0 - 32.8. Since I had only taken the BComplex for about a week and only a couple of days of B6 (about 8 weeks ago) and now take only the B12, I don't believe the high B6 number is due to the BComplex or B6 vitamin. I will be seeing the doctor in a few weeks; but am concerned about the B6 number. I would appreciate any imput you can give me.
Gerry

Different labs have different B6 ranges. I've seen some in US go up to 90 or so. Others lower.

This remains a gray area in vitamin testing. Serum testing is always less accurate than cellular testing, because cells can rupture and spill contents into the serum causes false highs.
Potassium also can be affected this way.

If you eat any enriched foods, then you can be getting B6 that way as well.

None of the studies I've looked at which reported very high B6 side effects ever noted the actual number on the abstracts. So we don't really know if your level is worrisome or not.

I'll be having my B12 and other stuff retested this month.

What are the new B12 ranges?

Thanks!

Anything below 400 is suspect. Anything below 300 can have substantial neuro symptoms. Anything below 200 is scary!

Anything higher is desirable. There is no absolute high...only where the machines can test to... which I have seen reported on a few sites at 2000. That is in US pg/ml concentrations.

I think people with substantial neuro symptoms should aim for 1000 at least.

Methyl B12 & R-Lipoic Acid
 

I had started the Methyl B12, and a few times a week took R-Lipoic Acid. Also, for a brief period, Benfotiamine (B1) because of having read some articles about the possibility of regenerating damaged nerves using these vitamins/ supplements. Do you think taking these may help the process or regenerating the damaged nerves?
Gerry

No, I definitely feel that the B-12 has something to do with it. I feel markedly more tired for no apparent reason. I'm getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night, so it's not sleep deprivation. This fatigue began a few days after starting the B-12 supplementation. Today, for instance, I felt tired all day long.

I was researching this on the web and found posts from other people (on other forums) that complained of fatigue after getting B-12 shots (which I know are much stronger than the 1,000 mcg oral pill I'm dissolving in my mouth every morning).

I'm very sensitive to medications in general and sometimes have paradoxical reactions. For example, I once tried a magnesium/calcium powder supplement called Natural Calm, which is supposed to help make you feel relaxed and sleepy. Instead, it made me incredibly wired as though I'd had a lot of caffeine!

Yes, I think all 3 are helpful for some people. R-lipoic helps with mitochondrial functions, and Benfotiamine is a cofactor in
metabolism carbohydrates and of certain dehydrogenase enzymes ...one of which metabolizes alcohols and aldehydes.

Well this is interesting. I came across an old lab test from 7 years ago, in 2004. It's the only time (as far as I know) that my B-12 level was ever previously tested.

My B-12 level in 2004 was 1627.

And my B-12 level from last month was 398.

I have taken a B-complex vitamin daily for many years, so it's not like I wasn't trying to get extra B vitamins. And I have always eaten a sensible well-balanced diet.

What would cause a woman's B-12 level to drop so dramatically in 7 years?

I've had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis for the past 15 years. Would that be the sole reason, or might there be something else?

I need to know what else to ask my endocrincologist to test me for when I see her next month.

not enough in most B complex tabs/caps to matter...you are apparently not absorbing as well as you were....consider celiac disease...good luck

Thanks. I got tested for celiac about 12 years ago (full blood test for all markers, or whatever you call them) and it was all negative/normal. But who knows...I've been having a more difficult time with my lactose intolerance lately, so I suppose it would not be out of the question to get another celiac test to see whether something has changed in my gut. I do eat a lot of wheat and other whole grains, but have never noticed any overt symptoms of trouble with gluten. Only dairy gives me a direct problem....thank God for Lactaid pills and Lactaid milk!

I will ask my endocrinologist to add the celiac test to my next lab slip. Specifically what should be tested (what should I ask for)? I want to make sure that the test is complete.

I have found as I aged, that I developed lactose issues too.
Not severe, but I do use the Lactaid milk and avoid Ice Cream.
I can do cottage cheese and yogurt in moderation.

But what really can upset me majorly is fructose! I get terrible gas and other more extreme reactions from this so I have to avoid sugar almost 100%. If I have a small bit with other food it seems I can have a treat now and then (chocolate). But no fruit to speak of, or sugared drinks. Gatorade will send me to the can within an hour. I can tolerate an orange a day, if it follows a meal.

I also followed a gluten free lifestyle for about 3 yrs and found it did not help me very much. It was the fructose avoidance that helped me the most.

As far as the celiac blood testing goes--
 

--be sure to have them titer your anti-gliadin IgG and IgA (the former is the most sensitive, but least specific test to see if you are making antibodies to gluten, and is often associated with non-celiac gluten sensitivity); the anti-transglutaminase IgA and IgG (the first being the most closely associated with celiac that would have progressed to the point of degeneration of intestinal villi); and total IgA (some people have deficiencies in this and it skews the result of the other tests).

There are some more advanced tests in the pipeline that are supposed to be more specific, but I've yet to see them appear at standard labs. The Gluten File discusses this, and lots of other things--it is an excellent resource:

http://sites.google.com/site/jccglutenfree/

Many of us develop absorption problems as we age--you may not have any gluten problems and may be suffering from lack of intrinsic factor to break B12 out of food, and that should be investigated as well.

Thanks for the very useful link and the info!

If my doctor doesn't want to test me for these, I will find one who will. I just don't want to leave any stone unturned at this point. I want to make sure that the B-12 problem isn't just the tip of the iceberg. And above all, I want to feel better!

Can B-12 deficiency or gluten problems be implicated in chronic pain syndrome? I DON'T have fibromyalgia, but it seems like my back, neck, and shoulders always hurt and takes forever to feel better. And recently I developed a problem with my big toe joint that is also taking a very long time to heal. It seems that I feel pain very acutely, and when I feel it for more than a few days in a row, I wind up getting very depressed from it. So I wonder if there is some biological reason for this, other than "you don't have enough seritonin."

I'm a person who likes to watch the show "Mystery Diagnosis" because I keep wondering if I'll stumble upon a cure for these annoying problems I keep having with pain and depression.....

There are certainly people--
 

--who have chronic pain, typically neurologic pain, from B12 deficiency and/or gluten sensitivity.

B12 deficiency is one of the great masqueraders, but over time, if left untreated, it can affect every system in the body. It is fortunate that, if properly diagnosed, it is easily treatable. But recovery may well depend on the degree of damage experienced before the diagnosis and beginning of treatment.

BTW, that big toe joint problem should probably also occasion an investigation into gout.

Please help! Newbie, please read profile, mom had Pernacious Anemia, feel tired all the time, swollen tongue on empty stomach, gluten problems, hematocrit levels always off, enzymes and alkaline phosphate off, feel better for short time with spinach and kelp! History of infertility, does thus sound like Pernacious Anemia?

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

I think you should start with some tests at the doctor.
B12 for sure, and Vit D.

Many doctors call very low results "normal" because the lab ranges have not changed for B12 and hence are outdated. Please read this thread to understand how to interpret and choose a B12 supplement.

If you have gluten issues, you may not be absorbing many other nutrients. But start with the B12 first, as it is very common to be low in people with gluten intolerance.

Infertility can be from PCOS, or high consumption of trans fats (this is new information) from the diet. Being underweight also can contribute. I'd start with the vitamin testing to see where you are at, and go from there.

infertility can also be related to celiac.

Hello MrsD,
I'm hoping you can offer a bit of insight...

About two years ago I was diagnosed with low platelets, and what I thought was a back injury, Though several mris did not find anything unusual, about 6 months later I started to get intense numbness in my legs. Several doctors later I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency by my neurologist, I was treated with Cyanocobalamin shots twice a week, then once a week, then once a month for about a year, my neurological symptoms improved from when I began treatment, but hasn't completely ceased and tents to come back towards the end of the month (before the next injection is administered). I was getting my monthly shots from my primary care dr. but when I became pregnant, by dr. wanted to check my level first, then referred me back to my neurologist.

My neurologist referred me to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed me with positive antipariatal cells and he told me I didn't have the intrinsic factor, I was also checked for celiacs disease, which was negative.
The Gastoentologist gave me an injection of cyanocobalamin but It had been about two months since I had a shot, and I was 7 weeks pregnant. At 9 weeks, I miscarried. I am now reading that B-12 deficiency can be linked to miscarriage. While at the dr. I asked about a prescription for methlycobalamin injections but he wasn't familiar with them and gave me a prescription for cyanocobalamin injections 1000mcg once a month.

Two months later, I am pregnant again, now 5 weeks, I have been taking the cyanocobalamin injections monthly, as well as 1000mcg sublingual b12 tablets daily. I had my injection a week and a half a go, and now my legs are already starting to feel numb again. I'm very concerned that I don't have the proper amount or type of b-12 to have myself or my baby be healthy. so my question is this:

What is the recommended dosage of B-12 injections for pregnant women who are unable to absorb the vitamin in their stomach?

Where can I acquire Methlycobalamin as an injection?

If I can't get the Methlycbalamin as an injection, will the methlycobalamin sublingual tablets be helpful to someone who cant absorb it via stomach?

Is it possible that although I have been on a treatment plan that I could still be deficient due to getting cyanocobalamin instead of methlycobalamin and do I need to make up for that?

Are there any doctors you would recommend in the NYC area who specialize in b-12 issues?

Thank you so much for all of your posts, already I realized I have been taking my sublinguals with food, when I should be taking them without!

I would appreciate your insight into these issues, I would love for my neurological issue to be resolved, as well as to have a healthy pregnancy.
Thank you!
Holly

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I think you should skip the doctors and injections...they are certainly not helping you properly.

Get your B12 level measured when you think the shot has worn off so you know what that level really is. Get the numbers and post here.
If in another country, post the nmol/L so I can convert them to US figures.

You CAN establish good blood levels easily with ORAL methylcobalamin, and taken every day on an empty stomach.
It WILL work even when you have no intrinsic factor.

Getting shots once a month with no testing to show if that is working for you is just sloppy, and makes assumptions that all people are alike.

There is a methylcobalamin injection, but they are compounded at compounding pharmacies and will cost more. I believe they have a short shelf life also, once made up.

Babies can be born to B12 deficient mothers, but do not do well and have neuro problems. I'd get the B12 test ASAP if I were you.

It is your decision to stick with doctors who are not treating you adequately, and take control yourself with oral. Many doctors do not believe that oral works...and they are wrong. Studies show it works. But you have to take a high dose like 5mg a day and only on an empty stomach for best results. Passive absorption takes place without intrinsic factor only in high doses.