Got my test results back. B12 >2000

[lownskater52]

Hey everybody.

Been a frequent poster here for the last month since I was diagnosed with low b12 (159) and anemia. Been supplementing for a little under a month with injections (12 so far) and daily oral b12 (sublingual and tablet).

I've been having issues with my ears ringing very loudly since starting b12 and while I had some really great results early, some things have come back so I got a check up blood test. I got a CMP (FMP for you Brits), a CBC, and Vitamin b12/folate.

CMP - Everything came back great. Sodium and potassium normal, liver enzymes good, blood sugar fine all good.

CBC - Most things came back pretty close to good if just a little low. RBC: 4.1 (4.2+ Normal) HGB: 13.1 (13.2+ N) HCT: 38.6 (38.5+ N) MCV 94.1 (80-100 N) MCH 32 (27-33 N) and Platelets 177 (144 - 400 N).

Vitamin B12/Folate - Folate came back fine at 21.1 (I'm vegan and eat tons of natural folate, just no b12 which over 7 years adds up apparently). Vitamin b12 came back literally off the charts at >2000. Not even an exact value it's so high.

So quick couple of questions. Why would by symptoms (like weakness in the legs, lethargy and exhaustion, low libido, poor digestion) be coming back if my blood is absolutely packed full of b12? The logical reason would lead me to believe that the massive amount of b12 is causing my ears to ring (never had a problem before)? Does this mean I can hold off the b12 until my blood serum levels fall?

Thanks everyone.

[Alfabeta]

Tinnitus is one of the symptoms caused by b12 deficiency. I used to get very loud bouts of it sounded like static. It went after about 18 months!

[deniseinmilden]

Once someone has regular B12 injections it usually shows >2000 which just means "off the scale" or beyond what the lab's testing machine is calibrated to read.

Long term deficiency of B12 causes all sorts of damage to your body, which varies from person to person. The ringing in your ears maybe your nerves waking up.

To correct a deficiency the protocols are either every other day injections or once weekly injections (Dutch method). I personally think that people should be very careful as bodies are sensitive and require balancing and if I was starting again I would opt for weekly injections.

While it is important to correct the deficiency promptly to stop further nerve damage and there is no known upper limit for B12, a body is a living thing that cannot cope with extremes, especially extreme changes, so you may get odd reactions from going from virtually no B12 to lots suddenly.

You have improved your situation and it might be OK to gradually reduce your dose a bit and see how you go but it will take a long time - literally years - to heal the damage that has been done so don't cut it down too quickly.

It's a good idea to keep a diary of your symptoms so you can get a better idea of the progress you are making as it is often so gradual you won't notice it from day to day. It'll give you an idea if anything else is starting to cause symptoms later on too.

[Marz]

Your B12 result is the amount circulating in your blood - and not in your cells - where it is needed. 😊

[tnkarthik28 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz, sorry for my ignorance. Is there a way/test to find the B12 at the cell level?

[Marz in reply to tnkarthik28]

If your Homocysteine and MMA are raised - I have read it can suggest low B12 in the cells ...

[tnkarthik28 in reply to Marz]

Ok. Thnx for ur quick reply n understood. I am also a sufferer of PA, Atrophic Gastritis, low stomach acid n Vitiligo due to doctor’s ignorance. So now hell a lot of vicious digestive issues. This post almost reflects my current situation. This is the reason behind my question. Thnx again

[Nackapan]

I'm absolutely no expert on this like others ate on here. However the very fact you have symptoms still would indicate repair still ongoing. I've been told pointless doing blood tests with all those injections and supplementing and you need ? 3 Months gap to see if absorbing or not if no fI'm diagnosis and you are vegan so dietary. I too have. .what I call the B12 buzz and it does happen more after injections. Not idea why. Remember you wee out unneeded b12 . At what pace you have b12 is tricky. I've not worked out what's best for me yet. I'm very methodical and don't put too much in the mix. Keep a diary too incase a pattern forms. As you vegan you will always need supplements it's just getting well as you can first then perhaps giving a gap to see if you can supplement only?

There are many on here that can give you the science . T C