8 weeks on 1000mcg cyanacobalim pills plus using B12 1200ug spray last 4 weeks. Help please, is it all working?

[jib70]

I hope someone can help me understand if I'm going in the right direction. I am trying to understand if my B12 has increased in accordance with what I'm taking but the ranges and pmol/ng/L confuse me so much.

31 July B Horizon results = B12 145 (145-250) pmol/L

14 August NHS results = B12 270 (200-866) ng/L ...prescribed 1000mcg pills

18 Sept ..Began Boost B12 spray 1200ug in addition....

9 October Medichecks results = B12 63.1 (37-188) pmol/L

Does this look better to someone knowledgeable? I can see the last bloods put me higher in range so should I keep going or is my B12 OK now? Tried to be clear, sorry if not. x

[fbirder]

Yes, the last result looks much better. Active B12 (which is supposed to be more accurate than serum B12) is well into the normal range.

It certainly looks like your initial deficiency was caused by being vegetarian and that the oral supplements have fixed that problem.

[jib70 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you very much fbirder, that is good to know. I am eating more eggs and cheese (every day now) which I believe helps.

I don't know if it is the spray or pills helping (I think the spray) but should I just keep on keeping on with both ad infinitum?

[fbirder in reply to jib70]

If your deficiency is dietary, and it certainly sounds like it, then you shouldn’t need such large amounts. I would switch to one tablet, or spray per week and see how that goes.

[jib70 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you for helping me. It seems now that I have come to this PA forum under false pretences, but it has been an education nevertheless. I wish all here continued strength. x

[deniseinmilden]

Regardless of the results, are you feeling any better? That's more important!

[jib70 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Well, as a matter of fact deniseinmilden I'm not really :(( but kind of you to ask.

I do have a thyroid problem (waiting to see endo still) so that's probably the reason for all my symptoms I suppose. Still trembly, bit wobbly, painful joints, difficulty concentrating etc. etc.....

I seem to be absorbing B12 as the results show, but then I'm taking over 2000 mcg a day

so would expect some to get through ! Must be all in my mind. Take care x

[deniseinmilden in reply to jib70]

Definitely, definitely not in your mind. This is a very real problem and should not be dismissed. In my opinion your levels are distinctly low and although inevitably they are going to increase with supplements it doesn't mean that you are getting the benefit of taking them: this is only shown by your symptoms. See a recent post by @Vonni7.

I can take all the tablets in the world and my blood levels can be beyond the top of the range (>2000!) but I'm only well if I have daily injections and supporting supplements.

Please listen to your body and take care of it. There is no way you should be feeling this bad and with the right treatment you won't have to! Please don't let people fob you off.

Please read the replies to recent posts, especially those by Foggyme, Gambit62, Clivealive, Polaris and Sleepybunny for starters although there are many other great contributers on here and other posts on your subject that come up if you search.

There are guidelines which the others will give you links to which will show that you should be being treated and how to get that treatment.

I must run now but please don't give up!

[deniseinmilden in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thank you for "liking" my reply and therefore showing me that you have read it. I was worried that you may have been put off using this forum by the first replies you received and so might miss out on life saving treatment.

The post "Self injecting with B12" by Vonni7 3 days ago has many similarities with yours and so lots of people have been contributing to that one and, as we are all volunteers with limited time, may have missed your post. It doesn't mean that we care less about you though or that your case is any less important.

It does mean that you will be able to find lots of useful information there - reading it'll keep you busy for a while!!

I really hope you can get the help and treatment you need.

Best wishes, Denise

[jib70 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thanks denise, I appreciate your taking the time to reply. Been reading Vonni7's posts now and the similarities are interesting - even that we both seem to be in Cornwall !

Just a quick question for now if I may. Is it likely my last test might have been skewed by dosing myself up, or as it was Active B12 that was measured it proves I don't have an absorption problem?

[deniseinmilden in reply to jib70]

Thank goodness that I've been able to help you a bit.

To be honest I'm not totally sure and my brain isn't currently responding to my requests for useful thinking (😁!) - I think that supplementing can skew any of the results but I know the active B12 test is a bit different.

The best person to answer your questions on the subject is Gambit62

I'll try to include a link that hopefully she will see and respond to.

[jib70 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Many thanks again denise. Is this the right place to ask what role MCV, MCH, MCHC etc play in respect of possible B12 deficiency? I have read much here and googled but due to my lack of brain cells now I find it all very difficult to understand if these results are relevant or not. Thanks j x

[deniseinmilden in reply to jib70]

Hi!

This is the right place but I'm afraid I'm not the best person to ask. My nutrition knowledge is reliable and fairly detailed coz I learnt almost all of it before I got too much damage from the deficiency but although I'm unbelievably much better now than I was, I still don't have the cognitive function that I used to have and cannot hold onto new information long enough to apply it to other people's problems.

Please try to find the people I mentioned in my first reply to you and ask them. I've tried including links to them, like I did with Gambit62 earlier but it just loses this reply each time ("annoying!") so I can't. Argh - sorry! I think most of them have contributed to Vonni7's post.

Good luck!

If necessary please try a new post with your questions as the title. x

[jib70 in reply to deniseinmilden]

Thanks for replying denise. I will try a new post asking these questions - hate that I can't study and accumulate information the way I used to - your help has been so valuable. j x

[deniseinmilden in reply to jib70]

You've joined the club!!! 😁

That's why I think you'll benefit from the correct treatment (B12 jabs plus supporting supplements) - you sound fairly classic B12d!