Functional B12 deficiency/NutrEval results

[Natalija1]

Hello,

I am new here.

Can anyone pls help me?

I seem to have a functional B12 deficiency despite normal (now ) or super elevated (previously) serum B12.

When I used to take methyl B12 1,000 mg sublingually daily, my serum B12 was off the chart high! I was advised to stop taking the B12, despite being vegan.Fast forward to now, a few years later, my serum B12 is about 400 (normal range) but my NutrEval results shows I am in High Need of B12, as well as most all B vitamins.

My MMA is 1.5, which is in the yellow/ borderline.

I have heard several theories that may correct this:

1. Take tocotrienols (Vit E) to allow the B12 to get into cells

2. Take lithium to allow B12 to get into cells.

3. That I may need a different form of B12... adeno or hydroxy

4. There may be a transcobalamin issues (new one to me)

Can anyone help? I do have many SNPs (23andme) but a practitioner recently didn't think they were expressing and the cause of this issue.

I have chronic leaky gut/gut issues, food and chemical intolerances, and more.

Thank you!

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Natalija1 Are you in the U.K?

If you are a strict vegan you are always going to need to supplement with Vitamin B12. There is no worry about high levels as you cannot overdose of B12 as any excess to requirement is excreted via your urine.

This may sound silly as you eat a lot of vegetables but do you know what your Folate level is?

I am not a medically trained person but there are others on here who will be able to give you good advice.

[Natalija1 in reply to clivealive]

Thanks for your reply. My serum folate was 12.3 (range < 3.0)

As for what's actually getting into my cells, I am trying to get some advice on another forum regarding my NutrEval results. It is in the "green"at 0.6 (range <= 1.5) but not clear yet on it. It seems I do have methylation issues, which I am trying to figure out.

Thank you! I appreciate any advice!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

lithium can be pretty nasty stuff - I wouldn't recommend supplementing unless under medical supervision.

strictly speaking functional deficiency would be high levels of B12 in serum - so top of the range or above - and symptomatic - rather than middle of the range.

In functional deficiency MMA levels would be significantly raised rather than on the boarderline.

If you had a dietary deficiency then much lower levels of B12 should be more than sufficient. RDA for B12 is around 2.5-5 mcg and the amount you were taking is 200-400 times this - so at best a waste of money in those circumstances.

I am not sure what NutrEval is - or why it would be indicating that you need more of B vitamins.