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B12
Do I remember something about B12 and MS?
In the last round of blood work I had my B12 was low - 237... anyone have any issue's with this? |
Oh that is low. You need to supplement that.
We have some excellent resident experts on B12. Rose, MrsD Ther are some great posts both in the Vitamin forum as well as the PN forum on B12. I am sure that Rose will be around as well to answer this and add more insight. But you need to supplemetn with atleast 1000mcgs of methyl B12 inthe sublingual form. Often people have trouble absorbing b12. I think because it is a big molecule. Alson with that goes Iron. Both os mine were low. So make sure you have Iron and ferritin checked as well. Good luck! |
Low B12 can cause numbness.
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And anemia.
Make sure when you supplement the B12 you supplement with Folate or folic acid as well. I have a methyl b12 I get from iherb online called Bio chem. Its sublingual which Rose will tell you is the best absorbed. |
My neuro was SO sure that numbness was just low B12, was he shocked when mine came back at 1059.:rolleyes:
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Hey Yabbit --
I've got low B-12 -- 345 is high for me!!! Which is still low!! :rolleyes: I take monthly B-12 injections! The oral stuff doesn't do squat for me. Find out what type of test they did and ask your doc if you need injections of oral supplements. I tried the oral stuff and my body didn't absorb it...some people don't. I started out with weekly shots for 2 months, then every other week, and now I do once a month shots. Sure helps with the fatigue --- big time!!! |
I had a low b12 level when I went to the MS Clinic last June. (345, I think?)
When I talked to my doctor about it and he tested me again in November, it was in the 550's. Which he said was normal. But, he did say that if I wanted b12 shots, he do them if my neuro said it was ok. So, I started B12 injections in december. I'm going to get them every month or every couple of months. I havent supplemented it with folic acid, other than eating asparagus with dinner, and also eating a lot of fresh spinach salads. I love asparagus, but for some reason it makes me pee a lot...and I'm one of the 40% of people who can smell the scent asparagus makes in urine. (sorry if that's TMI) I noticed that a few days after I got my b12 shot, I started getting more numbness in my legs and thighs. I dont know if the numbness has anything to do with the B12. I'm probably going to go in a few weeks and get another B12 shot. I also found out recently, that one of my nieces has to get b12 shots. She has autism, and she just got genetically tested for some gene that is associated with b12 deficiency, and she had the gene, so they recommended that she get the b12 shots. The gene is also associated with autism AND multiple sclerosis. (not sure how, I havent been able to find out much about it) Hopefully my niece doesnt end up with MS eventually. |
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Hmmm...now I'm hungry for asparagus. |
And it's usually immediate!!! How can it work that fast!?!?!?
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A B12 deficiency can definitely cause neurological sx and a severe one, even brain lesions. I have read in several places that there is a high incidence of B12 deficiency in MS patients. Here's one blurb although this one concerns a very small sample: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1596201
On a related note, get your homocysteine levels checked as well. I started researching this because years ago I was prescribed folic acid for high levels and recalled this after my MS dx. Like low B12, there seems to be a high instance of elevated homocysteine levels in MS patients. (Actually, just saw that one thing about this appears to the right of the link I posted above.) |
Yabbit!
Good for you! One more step of elimination! Take the B12 and see what comes of it, it may be the ticket ( fingers crossed here) Let us know what comes of it will ya!! I'm asking for B12 and Vit D testing at my next appt. Hoping they will add something to my QOL, I think I may be REALLY low on VitD due to the night work and I have never had my B12 tested. After reading the responses here, I figure it can't hurt! I am here doing the same thing you are...FREEZING!!! It's TIME for it to warm up!! The dwindling woodpile is scaring me. I'm sitting here in farmer jeans with flannel PJs on under them, wool socks, LLBean slippers, and fingerless gloves! The wind is whistling through the cracks again and I am on a mission to seal every freakin' crack and cranny in this house! I stocked up on a bunch of clear silicone caulk today...have gun will seal!! :hug: :Wave-Hello: |
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Mine has been so severe that it is difficult for my neurologist to know whether he is treating the deficiency or the MS. I take sublingual B12 on a daily basis. However, I have had a recent symptom increase and today I have a MRI and my blood work done and we shall see if my B12 levels are still good. |
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Sorry to hear about your increased sx and hope they improve. Let us know what happens with your blood work! |
I know on my last set of labs my B12 was normal, as far as I know, but I still take a sublinqual B12 supplement everyday and swear it has helped make me feel better. More energy, clearer thinking, less fatigue, and over all feeling of well being.
Am I nuts here? It's the only thing I have changed in the last month is taking the supplement. |
Sure, you're probably nuts like the rest of us :D but not necessarily about this. I've read this time and time again from people who clinically fall within the normal range, not just MS patients. I really don't know much about the differences in tests but an MMA urine test is supposed to be more accurate than blood. I do take a supplement but think I'm going to ask my PCP to humor me and do the MMA if it's covered by my insurance.
There's really some great info. and knowledgeable people on the vitamin board here. I've been impressed and it's another great reason I'm glad I took the plunge and registered here. :) |
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