[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by veggie

I found this post through searching the internet and have a couple of questions:

Can someone with a b 12 serum level of 550 experience symptoms?
I am a vegetarian and over the last year or two year I have been tired (kind of zoned out like my body is disconnected from my brain), muscle twitches, stiff neck and shoulders, vibrating/tingling in my hands, nervous easily)

In the beginning of November after a very stressful time in October I began to have stomach problems (nausea, burning stomach, burping, throat tightness). The doctor diagnosed me with gerd. I tried to explain that I had never had stomach problems in my life. He prescribed prilosec, but it did not do me any good. I was then tested for h. pylori but that came back negative. Additional blood work showed that I was not anemic or diabetic. My MCV is at 94 (I looked back at old blood work and it looks like my MCV is something that continues to go up). During this same time, I also began to have bad nightmares where I sit straight up and/or, breathing heavy, heart racing absolutely in a state of panic.

Out of desperation after coming across an article that mentioned GI problems with b12 def. I asked to be tested this month. I was told the 550 was normal. Now for my second question in regard to the test. Because my stomach has been so bad, my diet has changed drastically (starting in Nov). I began drinking more milk, eating chicken noodle soup 3 to 4 times a week (trying to avoid the chicken, but I know I am eating some of it), eating 3 or so slices of multi-grain bread fortified with b12 during the day because my stomach worse when it is empty.) Could this change in diet, have affected the blood test results since it does not reflect my state at the time when all of these symptoms developed?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, My name is Melody. your B-12 level is TOO low. Mine is 2000. Doctors do not know anything about nutrition. They practice medicine.

I can only advise you on the one way of eating that benefited my life. I turned to sprouting. Go on the internet and google "benefit of sprouting".

You're a vegetarian so you are perfect for this food. It is GREAT for people with sensitive stomachs. I sprout broccoli (no gas by the way), alfalfa, fenugreek and radish sprouts).

I have zero gerd, stomach problems. I go to the bathroom every day. It's the best thing I ever did.

Stop with the chicken noodle soup. Stop with anything processed.

You want to put live, good stuff in your body.

That is however if you are SERIOUS about your health.

I was and I am.

Melody

[mrsD]

Yes it is possible but not common to have neuro symptoms with a 550 reading. In this thread is a copy of Dr. Snow's comments on neurological symptoms with B12 levels that appear normal.

So look back a few pages to that entry.

Vegetarians can be low in other things too. Zinc is one, and so is the amino acid methionine.

However, eating beans and other veggies can give good levels of magnesium.

Potassium however, could be low, and you can be tested for this.
Meat is a main form of potassium in most diets and vegetarians miss that.

I'd get tested for Vit D3. Low levels of this can create problems, and is quite common.

An elevated MCV is often one sign that B12 may be low. But that is not cast in stone either.

You may also want to look at gluten intolerance. This can cause neuro symptoms too. And you may be eating alot of it on your diet.

[veggie]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Yes it is possible but not common to have neuro symptoms with a 550 reading. In this thread is a copy of Dr. Snow's comments on neurological symptoms with B12 levels that appear normal.

So look back a few pages to that entry.

Vegetarians can be low in other things too. Zinc is one, and so is the amino acid methionine.

However, eating beans and other veggies can give good levels of magnesium.

Potassium however, could be low, and you can be tested for this.
Meat is a main form of potassium in most diets and vegetarians miss that.

I'd get tested for Vit D3. Low levels of this can create problems, and is quite common.

An elevated MCV is often one sign that B12 may be low. But that is not cast in stone either.

You may also want to look at gluten intolerance. This can cause neuro symptoms too. And you may be eating alot of it on your diet.

Ok. Thanks. My main problem is the tiredness and now the stomach problems that have basically just appeared over night after that stressful experience. I was hoping they would go away, but they just seem to continue to hang around.

My potassium was tested and it is 3.7 with a range of 3.3 to 5.0.

Some others:
Calcium is 9.3 with a range of 8.6 to 10.5. Protein is 6.9 with a range of 6.3 to 8.3.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by veggie

Ok. Thanks. My main problem is the tiredness and now the stomach problems that have basically just appeared over night after that stressful experience. I was hoping they would go away, but they just seem to continue to hang around.

My potassium was tested and it is 3.7 with a range of 3.3 to 5.0.

Some others:
Calcium is 9.3 with a range of 8.6 to 10.5. Protein is 6.9 with a range of 6.3 to 8.3.

Hi, me again.

If you take Methyl B-12 it just might perk you up a bit. I have two friends who were always tired and their B-12 levels were in your range. I told them what I take. I told them where I got it and they began taking it also. You should see the change in them. One of them was slightly anemic also. Even taking iron didn't help her.

She's a new person now that she is taking Methyl B-12.

It gets confusing I know with all these vitamins and supplements, etc. Mrs. D. knows her stuff.

That's how I learned what I learned. By coming on these forums and reading.

Changed my life BIG TIME.

I wish you well.

Melody

[veggie]

Originally Posted by MelodyL

Hi, me again.

If you take Methyl B-12 it just might perk you up a bit. I have two friends who were always tired and their B-12 levels were in your range. I told them what I take. I told them where I got it and they began taking it also. You should see the change in them. One of them was slightly anemic also. Even taking iron didn't help her.

She's a new person now that she is taking Methyl B-12.

It gets confusing I know with all these vitamins and supplements, etc. Mrs. D. knows her stuff.

That's how I learned what I learned. By coming on these forums and reading.

Changed my life BIG TIME.

I wish you well.

Melody

Thanks so much for your help. Yes it is confusing. If anything, maybe I better not let the b12 drop lower since I just read:
"lower limit in Japan and some European countries is 500-550 pg/mL and is based on the level which causes mental manifestations such as dementia and memory loss."

Also I am not sure about potassium. Some information says 3.7 is ok and some say that is too low. I am interested in knowing especially when I saw the symptoms:
* Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles,
* Tingling or numbness
* Nausea or vomiting
* Abdominal cramping, bloating
* Constipation
* Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
* Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
* Fainting due to low blood pressure
* Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.

I have had all the symptoms that are bold. It doesn't explain the nightmares though unless that is psychological in nature.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by veggie

Thanks so much for your help. Yes it is confusing. If anything, maybe I better not let the b12 drop lower since I just read:
"lower limit in Japan and some European countries is 500-550 pg/mL and is based on the level which causes mental manifestations such as dementia and memory loss."

Also I am not sure about potassium. Some information says 3.7 is ok and some say that is too low. I am interested in knowing especially when I saw the symptoms:
* Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles,
* Tingling or numbness
* Nausea or vomiting
* Abdominal cramping, bloating
* Constipation
* Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
* Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
* Fainting due to low blood pressure
* Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.

I have had all the symptoms that are bold. It doesn't explain the nightmares though unless that is psychological in nature.

Sounds like you are experiencing some anxiety in your life. Perhaps if you spoke to someone about this? Maybe the nightmares would stop??

I do wish you well.

Melody

[mrsD]

There is a amino acid called methionine...and it is necessary for our bodies to make SAM...which is a methyl donor for neurotransmitter synthesis. Methionine is usually found in animal food sources. If you get low in this, you could fail to make enough for your brain to run on.
http://www.drlam.com/opinion/methionine.asp

MethylB12 is only pennies a day orally. You could start at the lower dosage, 1000mcg a day on an empty stomach.

Online discount vitamin sources, have it, but stores most likely not. I've used iherb.com and Puritan's pride with good results.
I would use the methyl for the reasons, that are posted here at the beginning of this thread.

Check the content of your food choices for nutrients at this site:
http://nutritiondata.self.com/

Japan has high standards for their B12 because they had a huge accident involving a common drug used there that depleted B12 and left many dead and disabled as a result. So they tend to be more aggressive with the blood levels they use. The drug was clioquinol (aka Vioform).