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Recovery if b12 deficiency is due to diet.

Runnerlove profile image
8 Replies

Hi. I just asked my naturopath to do another b12 test to see where I am. Turns out my gp did not believe me that I have low b12 even though I’m in range at 332 range being 155-655 in Canada. I’ve been ill for a year. Tingling in head and all over body. Dizziness, balance problems, fatigue you name it. Thanks to this forum I figured out that indeed I was b12 deficient since I was symptomatic. So armed with documents I went to my gp he just told me it’s all in my head. I say Tun another b12 test. He wouldn’t. Do I paid for one privately and sure enough after 9 months my levels appeared to be up 423 now. My symptoms have improve but not enough to fully recover. Do next week I’ve ask my naturopath to begin injections.

So my question is if the deficiency is due to lack of diet which I believe mine was how long could recovery take and should all the symptoms go away once my levels / I’m feeling back to normal?

Also she has access to methyl shots and cyno shots. Which is a better option given my situation. I’ve alresfy started a liver cleanse as my liver was pretty high near top range.

Im waiting for results on TPO and Homocysteine. We couldn’t get AFI test but I’m windering since my levels have improved on their own changes of having PA should be slim right? Otherwise my body would not be absorbing and generating increased b12 levels. ??

Once I get healthy I’m going after the stupid dr. He wasn’t willing to listen or even run more tests even though I’ve been ill for over a year and he could not figure out why. This is horrible what people go through especially when it’s not required. I am also going to be writing an article for our main news papers in order to spread the word and so that others may become educated on the b12 deficiency signs and symptoms.

Thank you everyone. I’ve learned so much already and it has been key to me finding a path back to health. I’ll keep everyone posted on the progress once the shots begin next week.

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Runnerlove
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8 Replies
fbirder profile image
fbirder

I would wait to see if you actually are deficient. Because all of your blood tests say that you aren’t.

Your naturopath will say anything that makes you give her more money.

naturopathicdiaries.com

Runnerlove profile image
Runnerlove in reply to fbirder

I get it that when there is money to be maid people will do it. However, I’ve been symptomatic and since levels are going up I’ve noticed improvements. But another 9 months to get to 500 levels is just too long for me to wait. I figure no danger can come from trying shots, if anything I should rapid improvement based on what been going on last 9 months would you agree.?

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi,

"if the deficiency is due to lack of diet which I believe mine was "

Do you eat plenty of B12 rich food eg fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, dairy, foods fortified with B12?

If yes then diet as a cause becomes less likely and possibility of absorption problem increases.

"We couldn’t get AFI test"

Do you mean Intrinsic Factor Antibody test? Why could you not get it? In UK, it's possible to get IFA test privately.

IFA results may be unreliable if blood taken close to B12 injection or B12 supplements.

I had many symptoms of B12 deficiency including neuro symptoms, when I was middle of the B12 range for my part of UK.

Have you ever been tested for

Coeliac disease?

H Pylori infection?

Internal parasites eg fish tapeworm?

Other auto-immune conditions?

Has your doctor heard about Functional B12 Deficiency, where there is plenty in blood but it's not getting into the cells?

This link mentions functional B12 deficiency, some info may be UK specific.

b12deficiency.info/b12-writ...

You mention neuro symptoms in one of your threads, have you been referred to a neurologist?

Do you have any obvious gut symptoms? If yes, have you been referred to a gastro-enterologist?

I am not medically trained.

Runnerlove profile image
Runnerlove in reply to Sleepybunny

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I meant IFA test. As I’m in Canada.

But yes I wasn’t eating shellfish, meats or dairy much.

I now have started to i was eating mostly beans, rice, pasta basically trying to stay away from meats. I had gone to neurologist and had CT and MRI but nothing was spotted as the problem. I do feel that maybe my diet could have been the culprit. Plus I lived a very stressful life and worked out 3 hours in the gym daily. So I was sweating tons and probably not replenishing my body. I know very dumb. I have learned my lesson. Was tested for celiac and h pylori which cane back negative. And we are just runing test for autoimmune no parasite found. I’m also getting the TPO. Should get these results back tomorrow. My dr has been useless he says because I was in the range I don’t have b12 problems even though I’m clesrly symptomatic. So I’m seeking help from naturopath.

I am a week I to liver cleanse because the enzymes were near top of range. And bilirubin was above range. But my test results now indicate I’ve been able to lower bilirubin levels and my b12 are going up just with food changes alone.

From 332 in November to now 423. Still not we’re I need to be because I still have symptoms but much better than where I was. I suspect in September when it hit hard and ended up in hospital I may have been low to mid 200’s.

I’ve had gastrointestinal issues but they come and go. Nothing steady.

olgadimitri profile image
olgadimitri

Please share how you doing liver cleanse. I heard it's very useful a specially for people with outimmunes problems.

Runnerlove profile image
Runnerlove in reply to olgadimitri

Hi. Yesterday was day 8 of the liver cleanse. So far so good. I still have inflammation in my body which is hard to combat. But I use CBD oil and it seems to help. I’ve also tried oil of Oregano as essential oil. It also works.

Im going to wait another week before I run another set of liver tests to see if it’s helping but I feel like it has. I somehow over the past year developed brown spots in my face which I hadn’t really noticed in a while but recently I’ve seen them begin to disappear so I can only link it to liver. As I don’t take any meds. I’m having lots of bowl movements and drinking lots of water and eating organic beef liver and basically anything that has b12 in it.

I also received results confirming I don’t have Hashimoto and my TPO test was also good for thyroid.

Im hoping to start b12 injections tomorrow along with magnesium injections.

The pain levels come and go likewise with inflammation. I’m hoping these will subside with b12 and magnesium injections .

Forgot to mention. The liver cleanse is the Sisu liver complex. 3 pills a day for 30 days. I’m only on day 8

olgadimitri profile image
olgadimitri

Thank you for replay. My pigmentation is growing. I will start liver cleanse too. All the best to you.

Sleepybunny profile image
Sleepybunny

Hi again,

"Was tested for celiac and h pylori which cane back negative"

Which tests did you have for Coeliac disease?

In UK, two tests are recommended.

1) tTG IgA

2) Total IgA

Unfortunately, second test Total IgA is not always done in UK. Total IgA test shows which patients have IgA deficiency. A patient with IgA deficiency will not make the antibodies tTG IgA test checks for even if they have Coeliac disease. Patients with IgA deficiency need other tests for Coeliac disease.

If you have not had Total IgA test, I don't see how doctor can be confident you do not have Coeliac disease.

Coeliac Blood Tests

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

Were you eating enough gluten for several weeks prior to test? In UK, it's recommended that patients eat plenty of gluten each day for at least 6 weeks prior to test.

coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-dise...

Which tests did you have for H Pylori?

patient.info/health/dyspeps...

I've read that in UK, for patients who have continuing H Pylori type symptoms but negative results in tests, a tissue biopsy should be considered.

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

"no parasite found"

Fish tapeworm infection can lead to B12 deficiency. One potential sign of fish tapeworm infection is an increase in eosinophils, a type of white blood cell. Eosinophils result can be found on Full Blood Count results (known as Complete Blood Count in USA).

Full Blood Count and Blood Film (some info may be UK specific)

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

patient.info/doctor/periphe...

"I’ve had gastrointestinal issues"

Have you been treated with PPI medication? This can sometimes lead to B12 deficiency.

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/c...

Some people on this forum have been diagnosed with high stomach acid and given PPI treatment, only to find out later they have actually got low stomach acid (hypochlorydia). The symptoms of low and high stomach acid can be similar.

Recent surgery involving nitrous oxide as part of anaesthesia/pain relief?

Nitrous Oxide can inactivate B12 in the body.

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/n...

I am not medically trained.

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