I have low b12. Last level taken was~ 82. Along with it goes low RBC, low iron saturation~27, low hemoglobin~ 10, low ferritin~6....etc. I have absorbtion problems and I am allergic to the solution they mix with the b12 injections. Insurance won't cover the b12 nasal spray. How frustrating it all is.

I am so tired, but yet because I work fulltime and go to school full time, people think I am fine. I make myself keep going. I ache all the time, I feel clumsy~I fall lately, concentrating is another problem, not to mention the chest pain and shortness of breath.

How low do levels have to be before you can finally get a doctor to do something. It has been 4 months. I was told 2 weeks ago that I am going to be referred to a hematologist.

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever feel good again...:confused

http://www.laurapower.com/VitB12.htm
this is a version that can be ordered by a lic nutritionist, at least so it says....didnt check for the "last updated date"...good luck

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...971#post412971

And that link from pabb (sorry friend), has some errors.

Cyanocobalamin is not in food naturally (it may be present in fortified foods and added chemically).

Natural cobalamin is not the cyano version as stated in that website.

If you cannot absorb cobalamin from food, because you cannot break it out of the proteins it is associated with, or you are lacking intrinsic factor, you should still be able to absorb it passively if you take a high dose on an empty stomach.

Your alternative is to use hydroxycobalamin or compounded methycobalamin by injection, or the patch.
I think time has shown that oral sublinqual absorption is not reliable. I tend to think nasal would face the same problems.

I don't have intrisic factor and I can't take the B12 injections. This is all related to gastric bypass surgery from 12 years ago. The sublingual didn't work neither did the liquid. I just simply don't absorb b12, which is what is dragging all of the other lab levels down.

It is the symptoms that scare me. Chest pain, shortness of breath, etc...But, the doctor's just simply say that my levels are still considered safe and they will address it before it get's too bad. In the mean time, its my life that is suffering from it.

HI there,

I have a suggestion on the low iron and ferritin. I also had low iron and ferritin and tried many different iron products. I now that prescription repliva. Its once a day and does not incur as much of the gastro issues as the other iron. However I will warn you it does have B12 in it so it might present a problem for you.

Good luck

you can absorb PASSIVELY megadoses orally.

You don't need intrinsic factor. You need at least 5mg
(5,000) micrograms to get absorption of about 10%.

There are studies showing oral B12 compares to injectable over time.

You may just not be taking enough.

And you must take it on an empty stomach. Food and fiber prevent absorption.

no problem! i should have been clearer, in that i didnt read the whole thing.
when i got to the part that said you could get without dr order i stopped...
and yes she needs to try the large doses, for weeks/months.....but it would seem illogical, that they couldnt find a shot that she could tolerate....they just dont want to try......