B12 absorption issues stemming from poor sleep quality and deficiencies with Vitamin D and other b vitamins.

[research4oscar]

Wondering how many of us who tested positive for pernicious anemia also tested low for vitamin D as well as all the other B vitamins. I found articles and youtube videos for a dr stasha gominak who claims raising these vitamins to normal levels may even solve b12 absorption problems and even has a protocol to follow. With the end result of getting people to sleep better spending more time in REM phase. I'd like to hear your thoughts as she advocates taking daily oral dose of b12. Here is one article directly from her website - drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

[JanD236]

I was diagnosed with PA but I didn’t have a deficiency in any other vitamins.

As my stomach lining has been attacked by my immune system and I produce antibodies against any intrinsic factor I am able to produce I wouldn’t in any case be hopeful that normal levels of B vitamins and D would help raise my B12 levels.

If there are any benefits at all of PA it’s that I’m able to sleep well!

Apologies that my comments are all negative.

[research4oscar in reply to JanD236]

JanD236, thank you for sharing your experience and appreciate the honesty. I was intrigued by the article as my trajectory with health issues began with poor sleep quality due to sleep apnea years before hashimoto's and finally pernicious anemia. I only found out about low vitamin d after requesting to be tested so im not sure when that may have started. But I agree with you that malabsorption will likely cause other deficiencies. Interested in seeing if others have had similar experience or patterns.

[Nackapan]

I had low vitamin D a year before b12 defiency was diagnosed. It was only 20 (range 70-200)

Recently I took another loading dose of vit D and raised the level from 53 to 73. My headaches have decreased! B9 ha always been okay. B12 was 106. Now in the 1000'same as I have injections that I assume you do too. Why a daily oral dose of b12? You can only absorb a tiny amount passively. I'm keeping up the vit D and trying to get some sun on my torso (tricky sas light sensitive ) but yes I do believe keeping your vit D up is beneficial. Loafing doses seem controversial. Nice to have guidelines on level and dose needed. I take a 25ug maintenence dose. I know you can overdose so have to be careful.

[Nackapan in reply to Nackapan]

NICE have guidelines on leveks and dise of vit d

[flosslechops]

prior to finding out about b12d last year,I got my levels of vit d up to top of range>250 nmol/L,it did nothing for my symptoms,only b12 injections,folate and a multi mineral have improved them,hope this is helpful

[fbirder]

Cart-Horse

There is no evidence that low Vitamin D causes poor absorption of B12.

There is plenty of evidence that the cause of Pernicious Anaemia causes problems absorbing Vitamin D and other nutrients.

If low vitamin D caused problems with the absorption of B12 then you would expect B12 deficiency to be more prevalent in people with dark skin because they find it much more difficult to synthesise Vitamin D in temperate latitudes. In fact, the reverse is the case. You are significantly more likely to have a B12 deficiency if you are a white American than if you are an African American.

[MoKayD in reply to fbirder]

Yes, NIH did a study which showed that caucasian women are MUCH more likely to be B12 deficient. The subjects were octogenarians and centenarians but it's probably true for younger people. This is the study ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[mountainice in reply to fbirder]

My grandchildren are half Nepali and all have low to 'grey area' B12 and one had extremely low Vitamin D and was experiencing a type of hallucination. The doctor is treating the D first, but whether that is because he is lazy and doesn't want to treat the B12 or doesn't understand it, or he knows something we don't!

[research4oscar in reply to fbirder]

fbirder, I'm not sure if you had a chance to read the link I referenced sbove. Specifically the section titled: Vitamin B12 deficiency where she addresses how a quarter of her low Vitamin D patients also had B12 deficiency. I realize its a chicken and egg scenario in terms of causation but still a significant ratio. I value your input and would be interested in hearing your thoughts if you do end up watching her interviews and reading some of her literature.

[fbirder in reply to research4oscar]

I'm afraid I can't find any literature (as in peer-reviewed scientific publications). All I can find are anecdotes and advertising.

[research4oscar]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I want to clarify that dr stasha gominak does state that it's the lack of quality sleep (uninterrupted REM sleep cycle) that leads to a host of health issues which may not always lead to b12 malabsorption. In addition there is a sweet spot range for vitamin d (and k2). Once Vitamin D levels get up to a certain level, you will want to add in the other B vitamins for no longer than 3 months as your gut bacteria will begin to produce the other b vitamins on there own. Eventually even leading to B12 reabsorption. It's important to note that there is a specific range level that she references. To much or to little of vitamin D / k2 / other b vitamins have their own similar issues. Again I would encourage folks to watch her YouTube videos or read the referenced link above as she goes into specific detail.

[Sita505USA in reply to research4oscar]

Does she have suggestions to improve the quality and quantity of sleep? I haven’t yet watched the video; I have a long history of sleep problems and sleep issues continue to be a problem for me. I SI every other day. Thanks!

[research4oscar in reply to Sita505USA]

Yes she does. The article I referenced above is a 5-10 minute read. Much shorter than her videos. But basically it comes down to getting your Vitamin D in the sweet spot range. Note that Vitamin K2 is necessary as well. You can usually find it in a combo. Finally as you start to build up your Vitamin D reserves, you will start adding the other B vitamins which with the exception of B12 vitamins your gut biome should begin to produce on its own eventually. And again I want to stress the importance of staying within range as she's found that over medicating is just as problematic as being deficient.

[mountainice in reply to research4oscar]

Not much sleep for me again, up in the night - 30 years of insomnia. I have started reading Dr Gominak's site and anything is worth a try. What I have noticed is that while I stopped ALL my supplements while waiting to do my finger prick Medichecks test, I slept much better. Now that I am back on my regime of D 10,000iu, K2, Magnesium, B complex, Folate, and in between, but not every day, zinc, vitamin C and iron, my sleep has gone terrible again. Maybe I should reduce some of them even though the protocol I follow is 10,000iu a day - maybe that is too much for me now.

[Nackapan in reply to mountainice]

I've reduced all my supplements and feel more settled. Cant be definite thar is the reason but I went by blood results.

I'm still on iron.ferritin still too low

Vitamin d 25ug. A supermarket multivitamin 3 times a week. B complex twice a week and omega 3 oil. 3 times a week.

[mountainice]

Interesting. My grandson had very low D as well as low B12 (247) and the doctor said he wanted to treat the D first - perhaps that doctor knew more than I thought he did. I hope my daughter gets my grandson re-tested to see if his B12 also comes up after treatment with D.

[expatkerry]

Low Vit D for me too, I was at 59 a year ago then got a small skin cancer lesion and had to cover up, my last test showed 30. Tried oral Vit D and sublingual but my gastric issues meant I couldn't tolerate them. Persuaded my doctor I needed IM Vit D and I'm getting my first 200.000 injection this morning 😊so happy as my sleep is dire.

[Sita505USA]

Hi there

I read the article and appreciate what she is saying. I do think Vitamin D, Iron, B12, etc need to be

at the right levels. I also think sleep is very important, I have terrible sleep issues. I have trouble with her advocating taking a B supplement. I got into trouble with too much B6. I also have a hard time taking her article as valid, as there are no studies, references, etc. I am so sorry to be so negative,

my sleep has been rubbish lately as you Brits say, and that always depresses me. I am having major stomach issues with my digestive system feeling like is is shut down and am up all night with stomach issues, so please forgive me. J appreciate your intent to help and your responsiveness. Blessings, Sita