[NerveEndings]

B12 deficiency problem here, as well. *sighs* I am attempting to correct this with sublingual methylcobalamin B12 supplements, but at 4x1000 mcg per day, I'm not really getting any better.

Anyway, I have noticed that when exposed to bright lights or loud noises, my symptoms get worse. This makes working on a computer, sitting in bright rooms, or dealing with watching movies or traffic a nightmare. Does anyone else have these problems, as well? Sometimes I also get ringing in my ears or extreme sensitivity to noise, or even echoing noises several times a day, or thinking I hear things I don't (psychosis?). This worries me because the latter symptoms came about AFTER supplements! Could I be deficient in B6 or folate or potassium or magnesium or absolutely anything else? Iron could definitely be a concern since I've been craving red meat and dirt like no other...but meat makes me feel worse immediately, it's scary almost. :/ And the general daily headaches and constant need to sleep are exhausting. *sighs* I'm just hoping someone can help me feel better and provide some information.

[mrsD]

Welcome to NeuroTalk....

I'd suggest you do this on an empty stomach, because most of the B12 is swallowed in your saliva. It will be absorbed in the intestine if no food is there to compete with it.

Taking a B-50 is a good idea, if you suspect B6 deficiency...
Sound sensitivity is one sign of low B6.

Magnesium is good too, because it is calming, and most people need it anyway.

Did you have testing? What were your test results in numbers?

[NerveEndings]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Welcome to NeuroTalk....

I'd suggest you do this on an empty stomach, because most of the B12 is swallowed in your saliva. It will be absorbed in the intestine if no food is there to compete with it.

Taking a B-50 is a good idea, if you suspect B6 deficiency...
Sound sensitivity is one sign of low B6.

Magnesium is good too, because it is calming, and most people need it anyway.

Did you have testing? What were your test results in numbers?

I actually take B12 on an empty stomach in the morning, and again right after each meal, because it is the only way I can survive eating. I've never had so many "allergic" reactions to eating anything at all. But maybe I should reverse that process, thank you so much!

Is there a way to overdose on B6 taking one tablet of B-50 complex a day? I've been trying to increase most of these with diet, but it's just not working for me now.

My results were borderline deficient 10 months ago, but apparently 260 is too high for them to care. The symptoms began 13 months ago, but because of my high folic acid intake, I believe they were masked for a while before. My insurance and other financial problems prevented me from visiting a doctor meanwhile. However, this has now been fixed, and the doctor I saw recently merely sent me off to a neurologist because my levels 10 months ago were "normal." I'm not sure, maybe they could be right and this is something else, so I should see the neurologist anyway.

[mrsD]

Taking B12 after food is wasteful. It won't be absorbed, unless you have good intrinisic factor. If you had good intrinsic factor, you would not be so low.

So any oral B12 you do ...empty stomach only. Take all 4 tablets in the morning...just chew and swallow with water. Wait at least 45 minutes before any food at all.

Bcomplex needs to be taken because B6 is activated by pyridoxal kinase which requires B2 (riboflavin). Riboflavin is difficult to get from food. The B's work together as a rule.

260 is too low for health. You need to be at 400 minimum and with neuro symptoms, higher than that. Closer to 1000.

Lab ranges in US are wrong...outdated. Get rid of your doctor who said you were normal. Fire him!

If you take 4000mcg methylcobalamin (active form) daily in the morning, you should be above 500 within 3 months. You can purchase methylB12 online for pennies a day.

This is my B12 thread. I've collected all the information you need to improve your situation, but you DO need to read it.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread85103.html

[NerveEndings]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Taking B12 after food is wasteful. It won't be absorbed, unless you have good intrinisic factor. If you had good intrinsic factor, you would not be so low.

I think my poor absorption is actually caused by hypochloridia, so I thought it would be better to eat something that would produce acid in the stomach? I am probably totally wrong, though, but was worried that hypochloridia prevents any B12 from being absorbed, whereas without intrinsic factor 1% is still absorbed usually. Maybe I should get tests done to determine if I have intrinsic factor, do these exist?

So any oral B12 you do ...empty stomach only. Take all 4 tablets in the morning...just chew and swallow with water. Wait at least 45 minutes before any food at all.

Another thing I was worried about is the half-life of Methylcobalamin B12 is supposedly only 5 minutes? Is this a problem, or am I way overanalyzing the situation?

Bcomplex needs to be taken because B6 is activated by pyridoxal kinase which requires B2 (riboflavin). Riboflavin is difficult to get from food. The B's work together as a rule.

Wow, thank you! I wasn't sure if I'd need more than usual, but it seems like a supplement will be best.

260 is too low for health. You need to be at 400 minimum and with neuro symptoms, higher than that. Closer to 1000.

Lab ranges in US are wrong...outdated. Get rid of your doctor who said you were normal. Fire him!

If you take 4000mcg methylcobalamin (active form) daily in the morning, you should be above 500 within 3 months. You can purchase methylB12 online for pennies a day.

This is my B12 thread. I've collected all the information you need to improve your situation, but you DO need to read it.

Thank you! I will get tested again in 3 months and see if my levels are any higher. Since individual ranges vary, and I have a high seaweed intake (which contains analogue B12, so I stopped doing that now), a urinary test might work better? Thank you so much for the thread, I am going through it now and learning a lot about B12 problems.

[mrsD]

Never heard of such a thing... 6minutes? We wouldn't be alive if that were true! Be careful what you read on the net.
Do you have a link to that? A good link?

Some people improve achlorhydria with Betaine.

I raised my B12 readings to 1999 with 5mg methylcobalamin each morning on an empty stomach. I was testing out the new
Puritan's Pride version....Worked very well, IMO.

The Schilling's test is no longer given for intrinsic factor.
But there is an antibody titre you can request for parietal cell autoimmune disease.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003351.htm

[NerveEndings]

I unfortunately don't have the energy to search for the link. But it is most likely a very poor and inaccurate link, anyway!

Thank you, Betaine seems like a decent option--but is it safe to take with B12? I would ask the doctor, but I don't trust them anymore, yikes.

Unfortunately I can't seem to tolerate one B12 tablet anymore, so I'm not so sure what to do. I get uncomfortable chest tightness, gigantic blue veins, and glass-flowing through the bloodstream like symptoms. Since I'm eating a lot of potassium, would it be a calcium or omega-3 issue instead? I'm so confused! Maybe magnesium? Perhaps seeing a doctor for even more blood tests might be a good idea, because my symptoms quickly worsen with no B12. I'm used to 4x day, not barely 1x without symptoms.

[mrsD]

The amount of B12 absorbed orally is so small. I don't see how you could be having these extra symptoms.

I'd see a doctor and make sure you don't have some other problem. Get an EKG, and a complete check up.
There is a blood test that checks for antibodies to parietal cells in the stomach, which make intrinsic factor.

Also get checked for H. pylori infection. This can give all sorts of weird symptoms.

Seeing a doctor is a good idea at this point.

[NerveEndings]

Originally Posted by mrsD

The amount of B12 absorbed orally is so small. I don't see how you could be having these extra symptoms.

I am also not certain, however I seem to react excessively to all medications, but I assumed this was due to the B12 deficiency itself. Hopefully there is not another serious problem.

I'd see a doctor and make sure you don't have some other problem. Get an EKG, and a complete check up.
There is a blood test that checks for antibodies to parietal cells in the stomach, which make intrinsic factor.

Also get checked for H. pylori infection. This can give all sorts of weird symptoms.

Seeing a doctor is a good idea at this point.

Thank you, I will definitely do so. An infection from parasites does seem likely, although possible dietary deficiencies from a horrid past diet can be to blame, as well--E, A, calcium, iron, omega-3, DHA, magnesium, zinc, D, selenium just to name a few.

[KamasPrairie]

I have been light sensitive from living in the desert too long and old age .. I know of no cure for that one. Ringing of the ears, joint pain and lack of excellent balance can all be cured with Tamanu Oil placed on the skin behind the ears or on the area where the joints pain is occurring. I feel like the guy in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" with this oil. I don't know what it will no help from screaming eyes and running nose while baling hay to cuts and bruises. Get from a reliable place as it should not be over 12 months old.