Hi.
6 months ago, after being diagnosed with B12 deficiency, and after SI loading doses, (followed by twice weekly SI), and feeling on top of the world then, I suddenly went downhill rapidly, with all my B12 symptoms coming back. I resorted to daily doses (1ml SI cyano), but they had no effect.
I have now just been diagnosed with hypertension and high hematocrit levels (polycthyemia?).
Is this something that has been caused by too much B12?
Unlikely that the polycythaemia is caused by hig B12.
It is much more likely that whatever is causing the polycythaemia is also causing your symptoms and that they aren't B12-related.
I don't think it's possible to overdose on B12. what ever is needed is flushed from the body, what you need is stored in the liver.
Hi.
I asked the question about high hematocrit, because of the association between B12 supplements and folic acid interaction in producing red blood cells? I thought that, maybe, my body was creating too many red blood cells?
Docs are at a complete loss as to why my hematocrit levels are high, and why my blood is thick and with a bluish tinge.
I also still have quite a few B12 deficiency symptoms, which had gone away 6 months ago, but have now come back?
Tingling fingers, fatigue and tiredness, dizziness, tinnitus.
My HCT was 52. Hb was 18 gm %.
No, the doctor has not ordered any further tests. As far as he is concerned, they have ruled out a heart problem, ruled out a Thyroid problem (bloods were fine for thyroid), and have now washed their hands of me!
JAK2 tests are not available in the country I work in!
I also had crazy heart beats and drs said I had no heart problems, of course the problems got way worse after they tested but they wouldn't test again. Said I needed counseling and was depressed. I don't think they would treat a man this way if he had the same symptoms. Have a doctor do a specific test for B12. If nothing else, get some large dose (5000) b12 sublingual tablets or liquid and take it yourself and don't stop, but you need to find a doctor that will order the test, don't worry about y our insurance, pay for it straight up if you need to. if you are low, never stop taking it. Every nerve in your body will degenerate and or die if you don't and you are as bad as mine was. I had no detectable b12 and I had more symptoms than you can imagine. I went through 5 doctors before anyone would test me for B12 of course they had never had experience with such a extreme case. I did not know what to ask them to test for it. People used to die from severe cases and they were thought to be mentally ill. Symptoms can be so many and seem unrelated. Take care, fix it fast, because symptoms left too long will and can be permanent.
Hi.
I did not have my B12 tested until after I asked for B12 injections, but that showed high because I had already been privately taking B12 supplements. I was diagnosed with severe B12 deficiency based on symptoms alone, but only given B-Complex tablets (which would have done nothing!).
Yeah! My current problems are mostly being put down to stress/depression and lack of exercise!
I never heard of stress causing thick blood (polycythemia)?
I am SI with Hydroxo now, so I should be getting more than enough B12. I take folic acid daily also.
6 months ago I was absolutely fine, and full of strength and no dizziness, no tinnitus, no tingling fingers, no chest pains, etc.
Now I feel back to square one, and do not know which direction to go!
Seen 6 different doctors, with 6 different diagnosis! LOL!
Ongoing battle!
I'm a man and believe me, they treat us just as bad. My female GP said PA is almost unique to women - so it goes both ways.
I am a man also.
And one of my local doctors said that it was impossible for me to have B12 deficiency, because I am British?
LOL!
Pernicious Anemia that went into subacute combined degeneration used to be very very rare. I have never talked to anyone in person who had it as bad as I did. I surely would have died within a short time. My new GP and gyn said they had never seen anyone in my shape.
Your HTC is to high and if your if you polycythemia b12 injections can higher HTC.
Hope you get this message. Xx
Relative Polycythemia is a reduction in the plasma, not an increase in the red blood cell count?
I appear to have Absolute Polycythemia, which Wikipedia does state "additional red blood cells may have been received through another process", which is what led to my original question of whether taking large doses of B12 supplements could produce too many red blood cells? The other option is to suspect cancer!
I wish that I could turn back the clock to 8 months ago, when I had zero symptoms and felt great after initial B12 treatment (SI)! No more dizziness or fatigue, no tinnitus, no brain fog, no more tingling hands and fingers!
This, whatever it is, has come on very suddenly, but with almost identical symptoms to B12 deficiency!
It could also be a variety of other things!
It is definitely not B12 deficiency though! I am taking more than enough of that!
I just have to keep plugging away at the doctors to find out what is causing the high HCT and Hb!
You can take all the b12 you want by the mouth and if you don't have the intrinsic factor to absorb it, it does you no good. Sublingual or shots are the only way. Most people with a normal diet are getting enough intake. It must be B12 in high doses, either shot or 5000mg sublingual. I prefer shots although I'm tired of taking them.
Again, I was told by three doctors I needed counseling. my first Dr said the numbness in my face was bells palsy coming on, second dr said I had a virus in my nervous system to come back in 6 weeks, then she accused me of seeking attention, third said stress, 4th said depression. I told him to give me something for depression and see if it works, he said no it didn't work like that he wanted to give me counseling. I told him if I was depressed it was because doctors did not believe me and wouldn't even try to find out what was wrong. He insisted counseling so I said good by.
Yeah, I am fed up with sticking a needle in myself every few days! Some hurt a little bit, but some really hurt!
I now have a supply of Hydroxo, so I should be able to manage a lot longer on those!
I am taking a month off the jabs to see how it goes, and supplementing daily in between with 1 mg Methyl sublingual.
About the depression? Yes, I had the same thing with a UK doc that refused to give me any more Diazepam! I sought out advice from a Thai specialist, and they concluded that I would have to take Diazepam for the rest of my life, because the brain receptors were disconnected and the only way to "top them up" was through medication! They did change my meds to Clonazepam, which does not have so many side effects as Diazepam. I get a 4 month supply each time I go on holiday to Thailand!
Great doctors in Thailand! They do seem to "treat" the patient!
A month off will tell you nothing. Once your levels are brought up to normal, it can (it is possible to )take years before you start having symptoms again. The liver stores B12 and the body gets rid of what it doesn't need. Although when I missed several shots, my blood test came back low b12 fairly quickly.
Hello Patez, Not sure if you have done this already, but check ' full thyroid panel' to include FT3 ,FT4, TPO, TG and TSH. So often TSH is the only test done for thyroid issues and this is by no way the full picture. Many B12 symptoms overlap low T3 and low T4.
Secondly, check adrenal function with a cortisol saliva test x 4 through the day, again because its possible, that if its not B12 alone that you need ,then it might be a combo of these other factors to be addressed.
I cant comment on whether high B12 doses raises your HMC, but I wish you all the best, G.
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