B-12 range
 

I have peripheral neuropathy which results in numbness of the front part of both feet. I do not have diabetes, but it does run im my family. What range of B-12 should I shoot for? I have read that the range listed in blood tests is not adequate for people with neuropathy.

Rose is our B12 expert, but i don't think she would mind me helping out, she recommends NOT LESS the 1 mg or 1,000 mcg daily methylcobalamin supplements, also a good multi B supplement daily.
Its a personal choice when you take the multi B but i like to take it in the morning and take the b12 some other time during the day usually taken on a empty stomache.
What is your B12 levels now ? have you been classed as idopathic Neuropathy or not yet diagnosed ?

Brian :)

I already take of B-12 and a B Complex. What I want to know is what the range of the blood tests should be. I recently doubled my B-12 to 2 grams per day. Before doubling my reading was 895. After doubling it is greater than 1000, with no further information how much greater than 1000 it is.

I'd aim for over 1000. Much higher is fine.

Good job, Brian. :)

rose

Thanks Rose,

I had blood drawn today for another test which will be sent to another Laboratory if the readings are greater than 1000. The local labs do not discriminate for any value above 1000.

I do not think I have B-12 deficiency, but I will stay on 2 grams of methycobalimin.

You can't 'overdose' on...
 

B-12, what you don't asorb or need simply goes out. Do watch the B-6 tho, that hangs around and can aggravate PN.
B-1 also doesn't hang around in your system.
Just some things to keep in mind.
Hope this helps - j

Herb,

Apparently you do not have B12 deficiency now. Of course, that doesn't mean you didn't have it, and it doesn't mean that you won't have it in the future if you don't keep taking it, at least periodically.

You want full B12 stores forever to support healing and future health.

Best wishes,

rose

Hoibie: I take minimum 5000 mcgs a day (in the a.m. on an empty stomach). Some days I break it up and I'll take another one mid afternoon. That makes 10,000 in one day.

My burning is significantly less so for me, it's a good thing. No side effects whatsoever.

Just wanted to share.

Melody

I'm not saying this is for any of you but just a thought on blood testing. I was going over my past blood work from years ago to now. I was in a hospital before years ago and had blood work a few times a week. Anyhow years ago when I was malnurished more then 40 pounds under,my hair was falling out,and the heart monitor was beeping and was in a cardica unit my blood work was better then now. All my vitamin issues like b12 so on were normal? Now healthy weight my vitamins is still fine just liver,white blood issues. I guess my ? or concern is how accurate is blood results sometimes and then what is one to do?

Many tests are not answers in themselves. Some are just plain unreliable; some are affected by other nutrient levels, conditions, toxins, etc.; and often the same-old-tests are ordered over and over without ordering more sensitive ones, or ones that need to be evaluated along with the same-old-tests.

Unfortunately too many doctors just look at the out of "normal" range items, when an overall analysis is often needed. And more and more, there are doctors who say all is normal when one or more things are dramatically high or low.

Regarding the B12 test, it was shown unreliable decades ago. A "normal" B12 level does not rule out deficiency, but most doctors still don't know that, and even fewer knew it years ago.

rose

Boy
 

THAT'S THE TRUTH. :confused: DRS. SUE

Thanks to Rose and others here I'm taking B-vitamins and having good results. I'm taking about 3 mcg per day of B-12 and two different B-Complexes including a sublingual liguid, and I've been taking two 400mcg of Folic Acid. I also take two 1000 mg fish oil caps per day, 1 garlic cap @ 1000 mg/day. I got some Slow-Mag today and just started taking that tonight. Hoping for some relief from the RLS type symptoms I experience from time to time.

I space the B-vitamins out so that I'm taking two pretty much equally divided doses a day. The fish caps are taken twice a day with a meal, the garlic is taken with the first fish oil cap of the day.

I've been taking the B-vitamins for about 3 months now and I've gone from pain that kept me awake *every* night because of the intensity level to now being at an only annoying level that may attempt to interfere with my sleep one or two nights a week. I'm *so* grateful for this improvement. If I hadn't found this board I'd still be up the creek without a paddle.

It's a slow process and I started at a much lower level and have been gradually increasing my amount of B-12. I think I may even go a bit higher. The nature of B-12 and how it's absorbed makes it one of the safest ways to treat PN. It doesn't work for *everyone* but there are apparently many of us that it does work for to varying degrees.

Look at it this way: Compared to many of the drugs doctors want to throw at us to treat this condition and their accompanying sides B-vitamins are a walk in the park and you have nothing to lose and much to gain by trying it.

I have a ? why the slow increase in b12 supplments? If there is no harm? I have been taking the 1000 b12 and a b complex for awhile. My b12 is 1500 which is down from 2000. Anyhow can I still increase to another b12 so 2000? I'm not seeing any benefit but not sure if this will do anything for my issue.

Jarrett:

This is what you wrote: "I'm taking about 3 mcg per day of B-12"

If you are taking 3 mcgs of b-12, you'll have a b-12 deficiency like you would not imagine.


lol

Melody

There is no reason to increase B12 slowly, unless one is so near death (fragile) that any change (even improvement) can tip the balance. And that would be rare even in a fragile person.

Under almost all circumstances, the idea is to get stores refilled as quickly as possible.

Jarrett,

I'm so glad you have improved. I assume you meant 3 mg B12. :)

Regarding Melody's comment :wink: : Three mcg per day would prevent deficiency in those who have not begun to malabsorb severely, but for many of us they would be useless.

rose

Rose:

Really? 3 mcgs a day would be enough for some people? Jarrett knows I'm kidding, because I knew he didn't mean to type 3 mcgs. But in any B-12 bottle (you know, the ones in the stores), the minimum amount I've ever seen is 50 mcgs.

I thought 3 mcgs would amount to taking nothing at all.

Wow, I just learned something.

Anyway, I'm taking the 5000 in the morning AND NOW SO IS ALAN!!!

He wanted to start taking them and he started two days ago.

I see so much improvement in my burning, I can't begin to tell you.

Thank God. Now maybe it's the weather, my weight loss, who the hell knows, and who on earth cares. I will take my B-12 for the rest of my life (or as long as I can afford it :D

If a person does not malabsorb, more than 3 mcg will be absorbed from the usual (not vegan) diet. And if that person has become low because of years of vegan diet, overgrowth of bacteria, or a parasite of another type, the 3mcg per day would help them rebuild stores after the cause of malabsorption has been removed. It would be helpful, but I would prefer to see them rebuild faster with a higher dose.

If a person malabsorbs from food due to too little stomach acid, B12 can still be absorbed just fine from a supplement. That person too could prevent deficiency or rebuild stores with small daily doses of B12 (even 3 mcg). However, that would not be a good idea, because many of those will progress to severe malabsorption, and then they would need much larger doses. [B]So, that is why 1000 mcg is recommended for anyone who has been shown to or might malabsorb. A person who malabsorbs severely may get only about 10 mcg out of 1000 mcg dose.

There are many other scenarios. But, for a person without any symptoms, a regular multi-vitamin containing 3 mcg B12 can be a good insurance policy. If they develop any symptoms or get to be about 50, I would hope they would take a lot more.

Under most circumstances, I think 50 mcg is a pretty silly dose. People who don't malabsorb shouldn't need it, and people who malabsorb severely won't get anything out of it.

rose

I think I will give you a new title.

Queen of the B-12.

You most certainly know your stuff. :)

I learn from you every day.

Thanks so much.

Melody

For me, it caused stomach issues...constipation and diarrhea. Back and forth. Once I had been taking a specific dose for a few days I was fine. So for me I've learned to increase a dose of B-12 slowly.

Oops! I mistyped. I'm glad you caught that! That should have been mgs not mcg. *snerk* :D

I hope Alan sees some good results too. Wouldn't that be something? I think for most of us the goal is to decrease or eliminate the pain. There doesn't seem to be a cure according to doctors in most cases unless the PN is a direct result of a lack of B-12 but there are cases where nerve damage is actually being reversed and healed. That's the #1 goal if it's possible. We've all been told we have permanent damage. I no longer believe that the damage *is* permanent in all cases.

Just so you know, and I did tell Mel, I mistyped... It's 3mgs (3000mcg) a day at least cause there are much smaller amounts in the two B-complexes I also take. I can spell, etc, however my fingers have a mind of their own. :D

ROFLMAO!! I see you got it! Yes, that's correct and it has helped *so* much.

He is a she...meaning me. ;) And since I know you all much better now I can sign my posts (was taught not to do that as a safety issue but that's another story): :hug:

Barbara

I agree! I think we should be calling Rose The Queen.

Hellooooooo Barbara!!!!!

Mel

:Wave-Hello: Hi, Mel!!!! :D

I was wondering if the b12 supplement could be causing some of my dizzy and nausea. Sometimes I feel it does and before this my b12 was high at between 1500-2000 the blood results. Thank you.

If the B12 is responsible, your body is repairing. I hope that's what's happening.

rose