B12 dificient noob
 

Hey folks I'm new here. Years ago I was diagnosed with IBS and suffering with bouts of fatigue for a long time. I've had sooo many tests done and my Doc suddenly has informed me that my blood tests have showed a little lower than normal B12. He said not enough to be concerned but I have a feeling what I've been struggling through is more than a small concern. I have many questions but first I'd like to know,

What is really concidered low level? I believe that I've suffered many of the symptoms that I see other B12 dificient people in this forum for years.

I started b12 about 2 weeks ago, 1000 mcg, and felt terrible and only in the last couple days do I feel stable. Is this normal with first taking it?

thanks folks, I have many more questions but I don't want to bombard you all in one thread.

Nathan

it would be easier
 

if you told us your numbers.

In US it can vary with the intelligence of the doctor. Typically doctors may ignore levels unless below 250.

In Japan they treat anyone lower than 550.

If you have symptoms it is best to treat regardless of the levels.

My level was probably fine by the standards of many doctors. However, my doctor felt that the current US standards are not acceptable. He had me take a B50 tablet and additional B12. From what I understand, there are variety of reasons why folks do not get enough B12. Absorption difficulties can happen due to age, taking certain medications, celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. There are probably other factors and each person is an individual. Taking too much B12 will not harm you. If you or your doctor suspects an issue with B12 depletion, it seems wise to try supplementation. I know that I have received benefits from doing so. I do think my doctor is a rare fella to have suggested this. In fact, I recall several years ago insisting that my level be taken by another doctor and suggesting that I try additional B12 supplementation as a last resort to treat my fatigue. The other Dr. thought I was being silly. However, the truth is that the additional B12 has been helpful with reference to fatigue and I am very grateful. I received an injection at the Dr.'s office...felt a little better for a few day, felt tired again, but then a few weeks later, felt better again. Overall, it has been a positive experience with no side effects. IMHO, other doctors should look into B12 supplementation very seriously for their patients complaining of fatigue and related concerns.

Welcome, Nathan.

Chances are if your doctor recognized your B12 level as "lower than normal" it was quite low.

Regardless, getting plenty of B12 is a good thing. And, yes, in people who have been deficient for quite a while it is common for a response to be followed by an up-and-down pattern with an overall tendency toward improvement in symptoms.

rose

Thanks for responding! I've found a very informative naturopath and with all the reading that I've done here I'm on 5mg of methyl-B12 now as apposed to regular B12 supplements. My doctore told me I have a level of 199.

Perhaps a small introduction is needed? I'm 32 and was diagnosed with IBS in my early 20's. Since then I've made dietry changes such as eliminating gluten, going on 4 years, and now more recently I've cut way back on my sugar. These changes seem to have allowed me to at least have somewhat of a normal life but this past summer I started having severe bouts of fatigue and noticed that I really haven't had quality sleep through just about my whole life. My spinal cord is tense most of the time and I suffer from lower and upper back pain almost daily. List of other symptoms would take a whole page. I'm only 32 damn it!

On top of the B12 I'm taking 5-htp and melatonin and notice a huge change in my sleep.

It scares me to death what neurological damage may have occured but I've had major learning disabilities and reading and comprehention problems my entire life.

When will I start to see changes? How does one know of the damage that has occured? Will I noticed better comprehention and focus or do I have to face the fact that I'll never have it!

It's hard because I have a high demanding job in Telecommunications that requires a lot of thinking and learning! Some days I wonder what I got myself into. :confused:

Thanks for responding and listening.

Nathan

There is no way to know how much improvement you will see. Time will tell, and don't forget that sometimes things get very weird and/or a whole lot worse as the body is closing in on great improvement in any one area.

rose