Should I take Potassium?

[gnnmi]

I self-inject monthly for PA identified by intrinsic factor antibodies, even though my B12 was still in the normal low range at the time the IFAs were discovered. I have severe neuropathy that has not abated since I started injecting two years ago and has spread to my trunk and face. So far there is no identified cause. Two days ago I injected and the next night and day my neuropathy seemed worse than ever. On a whim, last night I took a potassium pill before bed and today my symptoms are much reduced. The neuropathy waxes and wanes and I can never tell why. It is possible that one potassium pill helped me this much? I've read on here about the dangers of taking it without supervision and am unsure whether to take it or not. Any ideas? Thank you.

[Galixie]

I'm not an expert, but I believe it is better to take potassium with food. Ideally it's better if you can get your potassium through actual food, but if you are taking it in pill form, avoid taking it on an empty stomach.

[deniseinmilden in reply to Galixie]

Excellent reply!

I'm sorry but I have just typed you a long reply and then accidentally touched the wrong thing and lost it all. I'm don't have time to write it all again!

Basically...

The DNA, nerve function and energy release processes that use B12 also use many other vitamins and minerals. If any one of these is in short supply then this becomes a "limiting factor" and stops things working properly.

So yes, it is very likely that if your potassium levels are low then one pill could easily supply what is required to make everything suddenly start working and so give you the effect you experienced.

Most people on regular jabs find benefit from taking a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and iron.

Ideally you will get these from your diet but may well need to supplement to feel well. If you need it, you need it. Listen to your body: symptoms are it's way of telling you that it needs something. For optimum functioning you should be symptom free.

I suggest you Google deficiency and excess of the things you require to see what the symptoms of each are and what sources you might like to eat and drink.

This is often better than tests which can be inaccurate and only ever give you a snapshot of what the situation was at the minute of the test.

If you get your supporting supplements balanced but still have room for improvement then you can try reducing the interval between your jabs. We are all different and you may find say 23, or 18, or whatever days, suits YOU best. Also if you feel better you may start to do more and then need to increase your jabs to compensate for this.

Hope this helps and you minimise your symptoms soon.

[fbirder]

There’s no reason why you should need extra potassium just because you’re injecting B12. When you first start injecting you may need extra potassium if you’ve been suffering from megaloblastic anaemia. Even then you only need extra for a few weeks while new red blood cells are formed.

I would mention the potassium and it’s feats to your neurologist. They are best placed to try and explain it.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I wouldn't recommend taking potassium unless you have been told to do so by your GP or have discussed thoroughly with a pharmacist. You can overdose on potassium quite easily and the symptoms are very unpleasant to say the least.

[Dee1980]

I believe the daily intake for potassium is 4700mg RDA, very few people get enough. Supplements can be dodgy, which is why they only come in 99mg and I would discuss with your doc before going on them. I have coconut water, swiss chard, potatoes etc, which has helped me.

[nephilim]

Im not at all an expert but personally I’ve learned the hard way never to touch potassium supplements - they drastically alter my mood, and not for the better! I inject b12 twice a week and rely on bananas for my potassium intake.

[Ryaan in reply to nephilim]

How many bananas are sufficient for potassium ?

[fbirder]

Taking extra B12 does not increase the body’s requirements for nutrients. Apart from the initial burst of red blood cell formation which may happen if you had megaloblastic anaemia - which can increase your potassium requirements for a few weeks.

Having a B12 deficiency is like your car having an oil leak. You need to keep topping up the oil level to make the car run properly. But you don’t need extra petrol, windscreen wash or brake fluid.

[deniseinmilden in reply to fbirder]

If you leave your car in the drive and just put oil in for the sake of it, yes - but if putting oil in it means that you can use it then you do need to top up the other things, otherwise you will run out of petrol, etc - and then they become the limiting factors, as I have explained above.

Thank you for your excellent example - much better than my house building one because houses don't go anywhere!

[fbirder in reply to deniseinmilden]

But you don’t need any more petrol etc. than a car without an oil leak.

[gnnmi]

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I learn so much from all of you.