Last July I was experiencing serious memory issues along with basically all other symptoms of B12 deficiency. I was tested and diagnosed as B12 deficient (level was 330) and I immediately started taking Methylcobalamin. Folate etc were fine and 330 is definitely indicative of a problem since I LOVE meat and imagine my levels were probably ~1500 before an autoimmune thing decided to start. In September levels were re-measured at a positive ~1700.
The thing is, the memory issues haven't really improved at all. I have read online that supplementing with hydroxycobalamin and/or adenosylcobalamin can provide benefits over just methylcobalamin, since adenosylcobalamin has mitochondria and myelin sheath benefits whereas methyl does not. For those unaware, hydroxycobalamin can convert into both methyl and adenosyl, so essentially hydroxyl would ultimately introduce adenosyl. However, I have also read that methylcobalamin can convert to adenosylcobalamin so I'm not sure what to think.
I'm hoping that starting adenosyl and hydroxy will finally clear my memory troubles since I'm 24 and feel like I'm 84. Articles on the topic appear to be limited, I was wondering what people's real world experiences have been with hydroxylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin relative to just using methylcobalamin?? Thanks!
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blaporte332
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most people don't have any problems converting methyl to adenosyl but therearea few reported cases (rare genetic variants) that do. Noknown cases of people who can't convert hydroxo and cyano to both methyl and adenosyl
People var a lot in how they respond to different types of B12 -only way to know what works and what doesn't is to try
Hopefully I'll know soon, I just started treatment a couple weeks ago with the hydoxocobalamin injections and folate. Apparently it's preferred for certain MTHFR mutations
My memory was so bad it cost me my career, I was convinced I had some form of dementia. Once my deficiency was eventually identified, and I took control of my own health - having initially made the mistake of believing GP's had some knowledge of the issues - I am now back to normal. Although like all of us, for some reason I get the occasional bad day. In my case hydroxocobalamin has done the trick, in addition to the supplements advised by the wise people within this group. 😊. However it's interesting how different we all are in our reactions to the different cobalamins. I'm unable to tolerate methyl... Take care.
I’ve also had leave my job for memory problems, brain fog and periods of severe confusion and will be seeing a consultant soon to see if I have ANCA vasculitis in addition to autoimmune B12 deficiency.
For me though several sublingual methyl B12 with high dose B complex (folate, b6 etc) daily and every other day hydroxy for 2 weeks makes a big improvement. But I’ve also discovered that Asprin every morning really helps. It might be due to vasculitis narrowing my blood supply and/or thicker blood but it may be worth trying a good regime of B12 supplementation plus low dose gastric friendly asprin for a few days to see how you get on. If you get on well with it it may be worth going to GP and getting blood tests to confirm you don’t have other autoimmune conditions - apparently it’s common to have a few. I only got diagnosed b12 deficient in 2016 after 3 years of difficulties and now probably vasculitis so do keep an eye on your symptoms.
Just a word of caution about the aspirin...there are certain medical conditions where it is not advisable to take aspirin, in particular in the presence of clotting or blood disorders.
Do you have the actual test results eg folate, ferritin?
I learnt from experience to always get copies of my blood test results after being told everything was fine/normal and then finding abnormal and borderline results on the copies.
Have you had Vitamin D levels tested?
Tests for Thyroid Disease?
In UK, sometimes only TSH is tested. Thyroid disease can sometimes lead to memory problems.
Yes, folate levels were like 14 which I understand to be fine. I have not been tested for Vitamin D but I supplement daily with it during the winter months
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Re: high Folate levels & diminished returns from b12
Role of B12 and Folate in the Conversion of Homocysteine to Methionine 
B12 deficiency...Super Confusing :(
