[Marie33]

[QUOTE=mrsD;1105761]Women often get low ferritin. As you age you may become estrogen dominant and have heavier periods. This causes a slightly higher loss of iron. If you are past menopause, then low ferritin is more problematic.

MCV goes up as the red cells get larger...once past a point which you are almost at, it signifies macrocytic anemia, which is a low
B12 type, and also a possible deficiency in copper.

Mrs D,
I was just wondern if you could help me with this one. My Dermatologist did some blood work (my hair was shedding, he blamed it on Lyrica). So he tested me for the usual "suspects"., Thyroid was normal, all other tests were normal too. He said my Iron level was a little low (29), but said he wasnt concerned about it because my red blood count was good (normal). I asked my PPC and he also thought it was "ok". I saw my Neurologist last week and she pointed out that my Iron was low and wanted me to get it up to at least (50), so she gave me Ferrous Sulfate 325mg. What confuses me is I'm not anemic. She was the only Doctor that thought I should treat this. I think shes thinking the "low Iron" could be causing some of my symptoms, like buzzing and ringing sounds in my head (ears). I dont have tinnitus. . I dont think its from the low Iron. I believe its just the neuropathy doing its ugly thing. I think shes just grasping for straws. What are your thoughts on this?

Also, my B12 was 1650, I still take 1000 mcg as a maintenance. Unfortunately I dont feel any better on these B vitamins. My Neuro-muscular Doc doesn't believe in supplementing B12 and Mag (chelated) 200mg 2xday. She always tells me to stop taking them....but I still take them.

Thank you as usual for your help and support.

[mrsD]

How is your thyroid doing? Hair loss comes from over active and underactive thyroid.

Many antiseizure drugs affect zinc levels and some doctors suggest zinc for hair loss when using them. OptiZinc is a good choice, easy to tolerate (some supplements of zinc cause nausea), and inexpensive. One a day of this may help.

Hair loss in women is also perhaps hormonal (birth control pills or HRT treatment), or stress related.
Can also come from low protein in the diet, or low sulfur. Are you eating eggs? Some people find, that MSM (a sulfur provider) helps.

[Marie33]

[QUOTE=mrsD;1105829]How is your thyroid doing? Hair loss comes from over active and underactive thyroid.

Many antiseizure drugs affect zinc levels and some doctors suggest zinc for hair loss when using them. OptiZinc is a good choice, easy to tolerate (some supplements of zinc cause nausea), and inexpensive. One a day of this may help.

Hair loss in women is also perhaps hormonal (birth control pills or HRT treatment), or stress related.
Can also come from low protein in the diet, or low sulfur. Are you eating eggs? Some people find, that MSM (a sulfur provider) helps.

Hi,Ty for your response. Yes thyroid levels were checked many times ,always comes back normal. The Dermatologist ruled out anything biological that could be the cause of my hair loss. And didn't suggest any meds or supplements (of course).
I do take an antiseizure drug, Doc didnt mention anything about my Zinc levels. Should I ask her to test my Zinc before I try OptiZinc?

What are your thoughts on my iron being "low". My neurologist is the only Doctor that thought I should take iron pills to get it up to 50.
I do eat eggs couple times a week.

[reggiejones32]

for a person with a 500 level of B12. What dose of methyl B12 shot should I take a week?

Originally Posted by mrsD

How is your thyroid doing? Hair loss comes from over active and underactive thyroid.

Many antiseizure drugs affect zinc levels and some doctors suggest zinc for hair loss when using them. OptiZinc is a good choice, easy to tolerate (some supplements of zinc cause nausea), and inexpensive. One a day of this may help.

Hair loss in women is also perhaps hormonal (birth control pills or HRT treatment), or stress related.
Can also come from low protein in the diet, or low sulfur. Are you eating eggs? Some people find, that MSM (a sulfur provider) helps.

[mrsD]

@reggie..... I'd do 5mg of methylcobalamin orally on an empty stomach daily, for 3 months.

Then get retested after staying off your B12 for a week and see what your new level is.

Shots are not necessary if you do it the way I suggest. You should be over 1000 after 3 months on the oral.

If you test over 1000, you can cut back to 5mg twice a week, or 1mg daily, whichever you prefer to do.

[sara1011]

Hello,

As a current diagnosed idiopathic peripheral neuropathy young adult, my only theory is the B12 deficiency but I'm now reading that exhaustion of vitamin B12 stores usually occurs after twelve to fifteen years of absolute vitamin B12 deficiency, in which case it's unlikely that a young adult (I'm 30) would develop this deficiency and symptoms because of it.

Any thoughts?

[mrsD]

Originally Posted by sara1011

Hello,

As a current diagnosed idiopathic peripheral neuropathy young adult, my only theory is the B12 deficiency but I'm now reading that exhaustion of vitamin B12 stores usually occurs after twelve to fifteen years of absolute vitamin B12 deficiency, in which case it's unlikely that a young adult (I'm 30) would develop this deficiency and symptoms because of it.

Any thoughts?

There are many variables for people, since everyone is different genetically. If you are homozygous (have one gene) for methylation you can limp along for many years borderline in your metabolism. If you are heterozygous (both genes -2- missing) then neurological symptoms and finally bone marrow depression will occur earlier.

Our livers have evolved to store B12 up to 5 yrs or so. This is because of the evolution of humans in feast/or famine food conditions.

I don't think one can put a label on timing of symptoms therefore. Some low B12 comes from the environment (vegan lifestyle, or RX drug use that depletes it or prevents absorption, or development of autoimmune damage to the intrinsic factor of the stomach). Gluten intolerance is often acquired and that leads to low B12 absorption too.

If you haven't seen the B12 video...that is excellent, then here it is.... but it does not go into detail about MTHFR or other causes, or methylation in general. It can be a battle just getting the proper testing from physicians..and this video addresses that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvEizypoyO0

[reggiejones32]

Thanks for the advice. I have tried the pills but i have digestive problems and dont absorb much of the b12. On top of that I need folate so should the methyl injections be the choice? And if so at what dosage?

Originally Posted by mrsD

@reggie..... I'd do 5mg of methylcobalamin orally on an empty stomach daily, for 3 months.

Then get retested after staying off your B12 for a week and see what your new level is.

Shots are not necessary if you do it the way I suggest. You should be over 1000 after 3 months on the oral.

If you test over 1000, you can cut back to 5mg twice a week, or 1mg daily, whichever you prefer to do.

[mrsD]

Injections can be the hydroxocobalamin type. Those you have to request. Cyano may work, but you won't know that for months.
Doctors tend to use injections once a month for everyone, and not everyone, does well on once a month. Injections may cause a roller coaster up and down, feeling for you. This is because they are not the natural way to get B12, which normally comes into the body in small amounts with food daily.

The methylB12 comes in injections, but typically those are made up by compounding pharmacies with a doctor's RX order. They have to be kept in the refrigerator and have a limited shelf life.

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, but how do you know?
My doctor did my blood work, and says it's normal.
Says the "B" Vitamin is OK.
I don't know weather to believe them half the time or not.
I have pretty good case of PN in my feet after Chemo treatment, and it is way worse with the onset of this cold weather.
Even in the house.
I don't even want to think about trying to go back to work right now.