[MelodyL]

I had a blood test last Wednesday. I had stopped the B-12 for five days before that blood test.

I went for the blood test because when I went to Cornell about 10 days ago, I told them I was taking Potassium supplements and they made me feel OH SO MUCH BETTER!!!

Well, the doctor said "you can't take potassium, you are on an ace inhibitor (zestril), which they raised me from 20 to 40 because my pressure was up and I'm in a pressure control experiment protocol and I've been under SUCH stress.

So I said "Okay, I'll stop the potassium and they give blood tests every wednesday". This was the friday before.

So I stopped all potassium and all B-12 that Friday.

The following Wednesday I went for the blood work.

This morning which is Monday, I got the results over the phone.

I said "what's my potassium?" and they said 3.9 (that's fine, right). I guess I can't take any more potassium though???

But she said Your B-12 is very high. It's too high, it's 2000.

I said 'It's supposed to be 2000, I take Vitamin B12 as a supplement because I have diabetic neuropathy and it stops the burning".

I could hear the nurse yelling in the background 'Tell her her B-12 is TOO HIGH!!!!!


So I said: "Calm down, calm down, it's supposed to be that".

So, my dear friends, what do I do when and if the doctor calls and they try and make me stop the b-12. I have no idea if they will eve consider doing this. But from the yelling in the background, you would have thought i had some HORRIBLE disease.

I know it stops my burning. I have no intention of stopping this.

Any comments would be most welcome.

Thanks much.

Oh, my A1c was 6.6 . When I started Cornell, my A1c was 9.0.

So i'm doing fine as far as I'm concerned in the diabetes department. lol

[ann-elizabeth]

Melody,

My B-12 was just tested at 1925. My neuro said there was nothing wrong with that. I say keep up on the supplements.

Ann

[mrsD]

I think you can reduce your B12 somewhat now, that you have proof that it is very good.

You can take your 5mg every other day, and when you run out you can go down to 1mg daily. This way you save $$.

Just goes to show you how indoctrinated doctors are... anything out of range they react to...whether they understand it or not?

[MelodyL]

Thanks Mrs. D.

That's exactly what I was going to do. Do the every other day thing.

Makes sense. Hey, I'm storing B-12. That's cool, right. Is that the reason why I was just able to steam mop my whole house, my bathroom walls, the ceiling, wash the kitchen cabinets, and windex my glass stuff in the living room?

This B-12 really gives one some energy doesn't it?? No complaints here. I have no idea why it stops the burning (or even greatly reduces it on stressfull days).

I don't ask questions when the fates are cooperating. I just cooperate back.

I bought Quinoa but found it elevated my blood sugar. I had been under the impression that it wouldn't do that.

So I'll give it to Alan. You'd be surprised what recipes one can come up with using this Quinoa.

But my A1c is fine so I'm not complaining.

My aim is to get my sugar reading to 100 in the morning. One can only hope.

But a B-12 level of 2000. Never in my life did I think that would happen. When she said "oh my god, it's so high, I burst out laughing and tried to explain, BUT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. I kept saying 'but I'm diabetic with diabetic neuropathy, and it stops the burning".

One would have thought that a professional in a professional office would have jumped at the chance to help other patients. I kind of thought that she would say to me "oh really?? tell me more about this B-12"!!

Doesn't work this way does it?? What a shame.

I know it doesn't help every diabetic out there, but at least they should be given the information and the option to try and see if it MIGHT work in other people.

But like I said every single doctor I have seen pooh poohed it.

Except for Dr. Fred. He's a body builder who goes to Alan's gym (when Alan used to go to the gym before the foot ulcer).

Now THAT's a doctor who understands supplements.

Thank goodness he is also MY doctor. I don't go to him too much because I go to Cornell but he knows that and he says that's just fine.

So I gather that later on today when he is reviewing all the blood tests from last Wednesday and he comes across my 2000 B-12 result, well, he'll either remember our previous discussion, or he'll call me up and say "Uh, why is your B-12 Level so high? and I'll just laugh and say "Doc, let the bodybuilder in you listen to my explanation for a minute".

He's a wonderful doctor who LISTENS. Thank god.

I don't have a neurologist (don't need one so far).

So I will continue to do my thing, eat my fish, veggies and salads, and maybe one day, I'll get my miracle and get down to 150 lbs (oh yeah, like that's going to happen at 60 years old). lol

[Silverlady]

Melody,
Mayo told me mine was off the chart. What they suggested was that I take it only once a week like Mrs. D suggested. Once the stores are up that high, maintenance was all I needed.

Billye

[MelodyL]

Oh, so now that I have a reading of 2000, this means that I'm storing it well....and all I have to do is maintain it??

I wonder what the highest reading anyone taking this B-12 methyl ever got.

I wonder if anyone got to 3000 or so???

Probably give the people in the office a heart attack while they read the results.

lol

They really are clueless about nutrition aren't they??

[mrsD]

to measure "storage".. What they measure is what is in the blood.

One could say your stores are filled up and the rest is floating around, OR
that you are not storing any and it is all floating around in the blood.

There is no way to measure that.

The MMA test will tell if you are USING B12 however. Which is a bit different.

[MelodyL]

Never heard about an MMA test.

The next time I go and see my doctor, should I request an MMA test: Or is this one of those extra ordinary tests that you have to get pre-authorized from insurance companies etc. etc.???


Thanks much

[mrsD]

here is more info.

http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders.../mma/test.html

At a recent seminar I attended, the lecturer said she was having all the patients in the nursing homes get this test when admitted. She claims it is about $40...so I don't know if your insurance pays for it and that it tells more than serum levels.

It shows if the B12 is being utilized in the MMA metabolic system.
Sometimes B12 shows in the blood, but it is not available to the tissues.
The MMA shows if it is being used properly in the MMA system.

[shiney sue]

I remember when the Drs. did not ever say You don't need b12 and yes
Mel ,it seems like we felt so much better,and clean house,we felt good.
Drs. are not all bad,but the no. thing they go by,,For instance
that Cholesterol think,i've watched it go lower and lower Drs. yell at
you,my 92 year Aunt,eats so well can out run that heart Dr.and he said well
you weigh 110 well ,it has to be hereditary,nooo kidding..When she came for a month to take care of me ..Dr. John said I would love to be in your shape,
he asked her out to dinner,she said what about Sue ANSWER Your pretty,
fun and ect. My Aunt insited I had to go,she liked him but she liked me better.
She's so sweet.