[Kaybaby]

Mrs D,

How does my B12 look?

Thanks so much

VIT B12 BINDING CAPACITY, UNSAT (TRANSCOBALAMIN)
601 L Range 650-1340 (pg/mL)

VITAMIN B12
1189 H Range 200-1100 (pg/mL)

METHYLMALONIC ACID, GC/MS/MS
110 Range 87-318 (nmol/L)

[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.

[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...

[Kaybaby]

Mrs D,

I recently posted my B12 results. I have since been to my neuro and he wants me to take B12 event though it is high, he said my binding B12 was low and that it why I need to supplement. I had been off B12 for weeks when I tested.

Is it ok to take B12?

Thank so much, very confused for sure.

Kay

VIT B12 BINDING CAPACITY, UNSAT (TRANSCOBALAMIN)
601 L Range 650-1340 (pg/mL)

VITAMIN B12
1189 H Range 200-1100 (pg/mL)

METHYLMALONIC ACID, GC/MS/MS
110 Range 87-318 (nmol/L)