How does the large intestine play a roll in B12 absorbtion?

[FritzAlex]

I had suffered from ulcerative colitis for almost 8 years before finally having my large intestine removed. I now have a reconstructed colon with a J Pouch.

A friend directed me to this forum to see if some of my lack of energy may be a b12 deficiency.

Anyone else here with the same procedure as I?

Please excuse my grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Lately I have been very lethargic and withdrawn than usual.

Any help is appreciated.

[fbirder]

The large intestine isn't involved in B12 absorption at all. It is absorbed in the ileum, the last part of the small intestine, where it joins to the large intestine. Often, when removing the large intestine, they also take part of the ileum in an ileocolectomy. If that's what has been done then it will have a profound effect on your ability to absorb B12.

Ask your doctor/surgeon about what you've had done.

[FritzAlex in reply to fbirder]

Thank you!

[FritzAlex]

Im in the USA. Thank you for your kind consideration.

[Nackapan in reply to FritzAlex]

Also get a b12 and folate ,and iron.panel ferritin vit d. Status done before supplementing. Hopefully your doctor wouldve done this given your symptoms.

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[FritzAlex in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much. It is better to relate in our health than our past experience with UC. So glad to hear Thank You again

[AnnT49]

Hi FritzAlex,

Like you, I have a Jpouch following surgery for UC and now have to have B12 injections. This could be due to two possible reasons:

One, according to some research I found on the internet in respect of

“malbsorption in patients with ulcerative colitis operated on with colectomy and an ileal two-limbed J-pouch anastomosis … B12 malabsorption was present in 29-35% of the patients."

"In conclusion, ileal J-pouch anastomosis for ulcerative colitis ... Substitution therapy with vitamin B12 is necessary in about one-third of the patients.”

"Intestinal adaptation as far as absorption is concerned is minimal after the first 3 postoperative months.” In other words, if you are one of the ones who needs B12 injections for this reason, you will need to carry on having them.

The other possibility is that PA is an autoimmune condition. Once someone has an autoimmune disease they are likely to develop others. I wasn’t tested for PA as such, but I did have UC and I now have Graves Disease, which is also an autoimmune disorder,

I hope this helps.