Vitamin b-12 deficiency since last 3 years.

[Parulsh]

Hi people,

I'm 22 year old vegetarian female from India. I was diagnosed with vitamin b12 deficiency 2 weeks before but I have this issue since last 3 years but no doctor could understand it. I feel like tingling all over my skin. I'm taking 1500 msg vitamin b12 a day when my vitamin b12 level is 205pg/ml and my iron level is 34ug/DL. I forget things most of the times at work. I want to get rid of this problem as soon as possible. Is there anyone who could recover properly from this issue. I'm having hard time. Mostly with my memory. Is there anyone in this forum who could successfully get away with the deficiency and can share his/her story. I would love to hear your inputs.

Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Parulsh being vegetarian puts you at risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Do you eat cheese or drink meat? However taking 1500mcg B12 tablets every day should soon restore your levels unless you have an absorption problem with your digestive system and it is still early days yet.

It is not uncommon for some symptoms to appear to get worse before they get better as the B12 starts repairing the damage done to your nervous system and your brain starts getting multiple messages from part of the body it had "forgotten about" or lost contact with.

I sometimes liken it to a badly tuned radio on which you have turned the volume up high trying to catch the programme you want when all of a sudden the signal comes in loud and clear and the blast nearly deafens you.

A lot will depend on the severity and longevity of your B12 deficiency as to how long before there is no further improvement or recovery. Some symptoms will "disappear" quite quickly whereas others may take months or even years. There is no set timescale as we are all different.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had P.A. (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 45 years.

I wish you well

[Parulsh in reply to clivealive]

No I don't eat cheese or meat but I will start eating cheese now onwards if it helps though thank you so much for the information. You have given me motivation to be well soon. I hope I recover ASAP

Thanks and regards

Parul Sharma

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Parulsh]

The best sources of Vitamin B12 include: eggs, milk, cheese, milk products, meat, fish, shellfish and poultry. Some soy and rice beverages as well as soy based meat substitutes are fortified with vitamin B12. To see if a product contains vitamin B12 check the Nutrition Facts on the food label.

The DRI for vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms for adults

Serving sizeVitamin B12 mcg (the number on the far right below)

Vegetables and FruitsThis food group contains very little of this nutrient.

Grains ProductsThis food group contains very little of this nutrient.

Milk and Alternatives

Milk

3.3% homo, 2%, 1% 250 mL (1 cup)1.2-1.4

Skim250 mL (1 cup)1.3

Buttermilk250 mL (1 cup)1.0

Chocolate, milk250 mL (1 cup).09

Cheese

Swiss/Emmental50 g (1 ½ oz)1.7

Cottage Cheese250 mL (1 cup)1.1-1.5

Feta, gouda, edam, gruyere, brie, cheddar, fontina, mozzarella, provolone50 g (1 ½ oz)0.7-0.9

Processed cheese slices, cheddar50 g (1 ½ oz)0.4

Yogurt

Plain (regular, low fat)175 g (¾ cup)0.5

Fruit bottom (regular, low fat)175 g (¾ cup)0.5-0.6

Greek yogurt, plain (regular, low fat)175 g (¾ cup)0.3-0.6

Greek, fruit bottom (regular, low fat)175 g (¾ cup)0.5

Yogurt beverage200 mL0.6

Milk Alternatives

Soy beverage, fortified250 mL (1 cup)1.0

Meat Alternatives

Meatless (chicken, fish sticks, wiener /frankfurter,meatballs), cooked75 g (2 ½ oz)1.0-3.8

Meatless luncheon slices75 g (2 ½ oz)3.0

Soy burger75 g (2 ½ oz)1.8

Egg, cooked2 large1.5-1.6

Other

Almond, oat or rice beverage, fortified250 mL (1 cup)1.0

Red Star T6635+ Yeast (Vegetarian Support Formula)2 grams (1 tsp powder

or 2 tsp flaked)1.0

Be well and happy.

[Siobhan1965]

Hi Parulsh, I’ve been veggie 20yrs plus and diagnosed with PA 3 years ago. Had symptoms for years before though.

I was diagnosed following a sudden crash in energy levels following turning vegan. I’d advise upping your yogurt, cheese and milk if you can as B12 is iabsorbed via the gut apparently.

I’m still trying to be as vegan as possible but really feel poorly when being totally so, veggie diet and lots of folic acid and iron rich foods plus self injecting has me functioning again. Good luck