[Darkaz7]

After a month of taking sublingual spray of 1000mcg and feeling nothing I've switched to Solgar lozenges. What a difference! I took the first tablet an hour before bed, as I went to bed I noticed some cold flushing down my legs and arms. I woke up about 2 hours later unable to get back to sleep but feeling clearheaded and more with it than I have in a long time, a definite difference.

My question is, how long will it take for my symptoms to resolve? My level was 314 and I'm taking 1000mcg sublingual lozenge per day. I'm due to return to college in 3 weeks and would like to be as back to normal as possible by then, should I try 2000mcg instead?

Symptom wise I still have muscle twitches, tingling in one arm, random muscle pains, vibrating feeling and a bit of anxiety. If I were to say ignore these symptoms and go out drinking with friends is that dangerous or should I just wait until they go and my B12 levels are better?

[Marlene]

Everyone responds differently. Depending on how long and how much damage was done can make a difference. What form of B12 are you taking? Cyno or Methyl? You can easily go up to 5000mcg/day. Methyl form would be my choice. You should probably also consider a B Complex. Chances are other nutrients are off too.

Regarding drinking. How much are you talking about? One or two beers, you should be fine. Please know that heavy use of alcohol will deplete the B vitamins. To play it safe, stick with soda water while out with your friends.

Do you know the reason for your B12 deficiency?

[Darkaz7]

Originally Posted by Marlene

Everyone responds differently. Depending on how long and how much damage was done can make a difference. What form of B12 are you taking? Cyno or Methyl? You can easily go up to 5000mcg/day. Methyl form would be my choice. You should probably also consider a B Complex. Chances are other nutrients are off too.

Regarding drinking. How much are you talking about? One or two beers, you should be fine. Please know that heavy use of alcohol will deplete the B vitamins. To play it safe, stick with soda water while out with your friends.

Do you know the reason for your B12 deficiency?

I'm taking Methyl. I don't know why I'm deficient but my guess is celiac as I have had IBS for years and my brother has celiac, although the doctor says unlikely because I tested negative for it on bloods. The problem is my doctors don't see a problem. I was diagnosed vitamin D deficient but I've had 3 doctors (cardiologist, gastroenterologist and GP) now tell me my B12 isn't a problem at 314 and my folate isn't a problem at 2.4. According to them I have IBS, GERD and anxiety - I can't believe so many specialists could be so f'ing stupid. I'm waiting to see a second gastroenterologist. I doubt PA because I'm responding well to the B12.

What are some other causes of B12, folate and vitamin D deficiency, specifically connected to bowel symptoms? My lifestyle before I got ill was appalling for about half a year, living off ready meals, smoking a pack a day, binge drinking and using unprescribed adderall (I had a **** it attitude because I felt tired and shitty most of the time). Could someone get that malnutritioned in such a short period of time?

[Marlene]

Just know that most doctors do not see a low-normal B12 as a problem. But at your age, it should be better. You really want to target your level to be at 500 and above. Know that B12 blood serum test are the least accurate way to assess a B12 deficiency. The good thing is that you don't need doctors to correct or even acknowledge it because you can correct it yourself. Don't waste your time trying to convince those who have dismissed it as an issue. Keep taking the methyl B12 and if you feel better on 2000mcg, then up it to 3000mcg a week later and follow that until you get to 5000mcg. This way you don't overload your system.

Add in the bio-available B complex at some point. Jarrow and Thorne make a good brand that has the right form of folate. Plain folic acid is not what you want.

IF you haven't done so already, correct your vitamin D levels.

It sounds like your issues may stem from the digestive problems. Even though you don't test positive for celiacs doesn't mean you don't have an issue with either gluten or wheat or both. The best way is to go gluten free and restore your gut bacteria balance. You may want to look at the celiac/gluten section on the forum. If you are taking medicines for GERD, they can and will block the absorption of nutrients, especially B12.

Even though it appears your symptoms came on fast (6 Months), it has really been going on for long time. Don't worry about the past. Just know that you can make the right choices to improve your health and wellbeing. It's not easy and it's not quick but you are taking the steps to restore your health.

[reggiejones32]

My b12 level is 549 and im going to start injections with cyanocobalamin b12. Will I need folic acid or folate with it? If so does the folic acid have to be sublingual?

Originally Posted by mrsD

About a week. B12 can exit the blood serum
In Bput 72 hrs but a week would be better
If you can do it.

[Marlene]

At some point, I feel if you are taking B12, you need to add in the other B vitamins. Depending on what your levels are, you can either approach it by introducing single vitamins one at time to see how you react or take a good B complex. Which ever route you choose, I prefer the more bio-available B vitamins just in case you have the some level of the MTHFR genetic mutation. You can read more about that on http://mthfr.net

[mrsD]

People in the US today have folic acid in fortified foods so low folate is not common. Only those who cannot methylate the folic acid need to take it as methylfolate. This is a DNA mutation which affects B12 in cyano form as well.

The new research suggests to avoid folic acid if you use methylfolate (MetaFolin) because it is thought that they compete at the blood brain barrier for entrance to the brain. So people using methylfolate should avoid folic acid in B-complex mixtures.

[Marlene]

Thorne Research carries a B complex with just the methyl folate so you can avoid folic acid form.

[jenng]

I recently did a 23 and Me genetic profile. Although they no longer have health information available after 2013, you can still link to threads from people that had health information prior to 2013 and are posting their results. Through this, I have found some risk SNP's on my data for MTHFR. Since B12/folate in its more readily available methyl form is indicated for this genetic mutation, should I just go ahead and order it already? I've wondered about getting the actual genetic testing for it specifically, but my doctors are poo-pooing it (surprise!) since my homocystine levels are normal. My B12 levels went from 200 to 600 with injection cyano form, which my neurologist says suggests I don't have the MTHFR mutation.

My diagnosis continues to be idiopathic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Numbness, tingling, mild burning pain, mild motor neuropathy in my left foot, muscle twitches, some muscle cramping (these jump around and come and go.) Problem is, no one but me much cares about the cause.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by jenng

I recently did a 23 and Me genetic profile. Although they no longer have health information available after 2013, you can still link to threads from people that had health information prior to 2013 and are posting their results. Through this, I have found some risk SNP's on my data for MTHFR. Since B12/folate in its more readily available methyl form is indicated for this genetic mutation, should I just go ahead and order it already? I've wondered about getting the actual genetic testing for it specifically, but my doctors are poo-pooing it (surprise!) since my homocystine levels are normal. My B12 levels went from 200 to 600 with injection cyano form, which my neurologist says suggests I don't have the MTHFR mutation.

My diagnosis continues to be idiopathic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Numbness, tingling, mild burning pain, mild motor neuropathy in my left foot, muscle twitches, some muscle cramping (these jump around and come and go.) Problem is, no one but me much cares about the cause.

Hi there. I take 5000 Methyl B-12 every day and have done so for 8 years now. My levels are 2000. Thank god my doctor has a brain and understands all about Methyl B-12. I know others will come along and answer your questions. Lots of smart people on these boards. You keep doing what you are doing.

Regards, Melody