How long after deficiency can symptoms show up?

[wkist]

I don't have PA. I do have tingling and numbness in both feet. When I was 55 I found out I was B-12 deficient - probably for years. It didn't show up on the "physical" tests I was given. I took B-12 supplements and the deficiency was eliminated. At age 63, years after the deficiency was rectified, I have experienced symptoms similar to myelopathy. Doctors all thought it was due to some type of physical impingement on the spinal cord - but MRI's gave my spinal cord the "all clear" signal. So the question I have is can b-12 deficiency nerve damage result in symptoms years after it has been rectified. B-12 damage to the spinal cord could be one explanation. Doctors are clueless as to why I'm having these symptoms - so I have to do my own investigation. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi wkist we store a "few years worth" of B12 in our liver and it may well be that your earlier deficiency was successfully treated to replenish those stores and to have "repaired" any damage.

However if you discontinued the B12 supplements then the stores will again become depleted and you become deficient once more 8 years later.

The very fact that you are over 60 now puts you at an elevated risk of developing a b12 deficiency and this is just one of many possible causes. Others include:

Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.

People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).

People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications, or infections such as h-pylori that can interfere with B12 absorption.

People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.

People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).

People with a history of alcoholism.

People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.

People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).

People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.

People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.

Can you see yourself among any of the above people?

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[wkist in reply to clivealive]

Thanks for your reply. I've been taking B-12 supplements since the deficiency. I am a vegetarian but at the last MMA test (3 months ago) I was not B-12 deficient. It is a real mystery to me as to why I should be experiencing these symptoms after the deficiency was rectified unless the "irreversible" damage took some time to show up. I am currently doing a water only fast to see if anything changes. (on day 13) If nothing changes then it means to me that this is from "irreversible" damage to the nerves.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to wkist]

I still get a return of some neurological symptoms in the run up to my next scheduled B12 injections - mainly Numbness pins and needles, unsteady gait (brain not knowing where my feet are) Muscle weakness. Irritability. Foggy brain etc., and had to fight like mad to get my one size fits all doctor to increase the frequency.

[wkist in reply to clivealive]

Thanks for reply again. It seems I will just have to learn to live with what I have. I also have extreme fatigue about 2 pm. daily - I always had gotten tired before, but now can't concentrate. My handwriting has gotten worse as well.

wkist

[KimberinUS]

you asked for suggestions. here is a possibility that could be investigated.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[wkist in reply to KimberinUS]

Thanks for the reply. They checked my copper level and it was OK. I might have one of those conditions that haven't been studied yet.

Werner