[Kaybaby]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Did you stop your B12 supplement a few days before the test?

Or were these numbers reported before you started any supplementation?

Your B12 is high in any case...the meaning of it depends on the two questions I've asked.

I had not been on any B12 supplements in several weeks. My B6 was also high. I was using melatonin with B6 in it, which I have discontinued.

My B12 back in November was 907 without supplementation.

Kay

[mrsD]

Thanks for that clarification.... It could be you were really high,
and slowly came down to that figure revealed in the test.

Or it could be that you have a medical condition that creates a high B12, or you are eating fortified foods.

Some medical problems present with initially high B12.
Kidney disease
some cancers
liver problems
GI bacterial overgrowth

The transcobalamin is a bit low, and can reflect that it is being used up by the excess B12. Or that can be a genetic flaw. Transcobalamin takes the B12 that crosses the GI lining and carries it into the blood stream and around the body.

The MMA shows low and that is good because B12 is used to lower it in the body (it is a metabolic waste product).

[Kaybaby]

Thank you for the response. I had thought it was ok to supplement even though my level was 907 without supplementing. I was under the impression that higher B12 was good for neuropathy. I will not start the supps again.

Thanks again,

Kay

[Jackson Brown]

Hello, everyone.

I found this thread a few days ago and I have read the ENTIRE thing. I haven't understood some of it (haha) but I have read it and I'm so grateful for it being here. I registered specifically to share my background and ask some questions.

I am 31, male, with a history of Peripheral Neuropathy, Pernicious Anemia, lifelong vegetarianism, and a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Vitamin B12 is relevant to all of these conditions. I had my B12 checked about six months ago and it was in the low 100s. It probably has been for at least 20 years, in retrospect.

My neurologist told me start taking B12, and I did so half-heartedly because I didn't realize the importance of it. Then I got to reading and realized some of my symptoms could be related to this.

I am currently prescribed Concerta (methylphenidate) for my brain injury, and I'm wondering if this interacts in any way with B12?

The reason I ask is that prior to taking 10,000mcg methylcobalamin sublingual for a few days I used to have VERY SEVERE "drops" in energy/attention/function-ability about 3:00pm every day and I assumed it was related to "coming down from" the Concerta.

Since taking tons of B12 the past few days the drops have been noticeably less severe and smoother. I can think clearly longer into the day than I have for years (since the brain injury which left me unconscious).

After reading this thread I now wonder if my "drop" might actually be related to the levels of cortisol or B12? I'm not 100% sure how that works, so if my question sounds stupid, please just overlook me.

I'm still "fleshing out" all the information contained here, and I really REALLY appreciate it!

[mrsD]

If you were that low, then you may have a substantial anemia too. When your body replenishes B12 in the tissues, the bone marrow takes alot to make red blood cells...and these take potassium also out of the blood.

So some people become low in potassium... Eat potassium rich foods, and perhaps get tested at the doctor's..to see if you are low. Then your doctor can give you an RX for a potassium supplement. He would determine your dose based on the blood work.

[Jackson Brown]

Thank you. I'm going back in 10 days so I will ask him about potassium. To be honest I can't remember if it was already tested and if so what level it was at.

Because of my Pernicious Anemia, do I have to worry about potassium not being absorbed as well, or is that only for B-12?

How long would it take to replenish my B12 to adequate levels? I know it's all variable and guesswork but I mean is it closer to 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 years?

I will keep taking the B12 in high doses because I can feel it working but I'm just curious how long it could potentially take.

[Jackson Brown]

Can somebody explain to me how potassium, sodium, and iron interact with B12? I've read many of these responses but either I'm dumb (very possible) or I haven't read it correctly.

I know that once you start taking B12 you have to have your potassium checked and that potassium somehow interferes (right?) with iron and sodium.

But I don't know what that means. Should I eat MORE potassium when I'm taking lots of B12? Should I also eat more salt and iron?

Sorry for the questions, I must actually just be dumb...

[mrsD]

I explained in the post above.. B12 stimulates the
Bone marrow to make more red blood cells. This uses
Iron and potasium. B12 also goes into those cells.

Eventually you fix this anemia and the iron and potassium
Deficiency pass.

[Jackson Brown]

Thank you. For some reason I thought the doctor said anemia is never cured and I'd have to take B12 forever. I can't remember anything!

[julleri]

MrsD - I was wondering if you could weigh in on the need of dibencozide along with methylcobalamin - both forms oral - for treatment, possibly and likely lifelong, of B12 deficiency. Years ago I took dibencozide off and on along with methylcobalamin, both in their sublingual (tablet) forms, away from food. Over the last couple years, I had just not taken any dibencozide. My health has been failing. I found that old bottle of dibencozide B12 (specifically the Country Life brand, the one that has a bit of folic acid in it), and wow, I feel soooo much better. I did some reading (not a lot), and found an abstract to a January 2015 article in a European Journal stating that methylcobalamin alone is not good enough treatment for B12 replenishment in those with B12 deficiency, because supposedly the body cannot convert methylcobalamin to dibencozide. It can, however, convert hydroxycobalamin and cyanocobalamin to both forms (provided you have a healthy liver and can tolerate cyanoB12). But why bother with those forms if we have methylB12 on the market, and also dibencozide on the market as well. But I always thought that the body converted methylB12 to dibencozide and vice-versa if it needed to. It appears I may be wrong about this, and will need to therefore not only keep taking the methylB12, but take dibencozide B12 in addition. My symptoms have all been nerve and pain related again - weakness, numbness, stooping back, severe back pain, tinglings, foggy thought, moodiness beyond belief. It may be lack of another form of this nutrient all along... which is good news since supplementing dibencozide is not that expensive and is available over-the-counter.

Thank you,
Jason