Can b12 deficiency cause severe stomach problems?

[Agala]

I have been having dyspepsia for years now. It was diagnosed as stomach ulcers. I have been treating to the point that instead of calming down, each time it my symptoms worsen. The symptoms are fatigue, lethargy, tingling in the hands and feet, burning sensation all over my body especially on the teeth, electric shock sensation and a whole lot of others. I was 3 months ago diagnosed with b12 deficiency. I have had more than 20 shots of cyanocobalamin but I still feel the same. Please can someone help me. I am in serious pains.

[Pickle500]

Sorry to hear that you're in pain with this.

May I please ask about your diet, stress levels, alcohol intake and levels of pollution or toxins you may be inhaling?

The reason I ask is that b12 deficiency can be associated with gut dysbiosis - some people call it leaky gut. But you also have confirmed stomach ulcers, and they could have affected your ability to absorb B12 by damaging the stomach lining.

Has your Doctor tested you for Pernicious Anemia using an Intrinstic Factor Antibody Test?

If you do have leaky gut or dysbiosis, you may find some relief by changing the factors I outlined. Reduce stress, cut down or cut out alcohol, focus on healthy and basic food - meat, vegetables. No processed foods, no carbonated drinks. You can try to improve the gut flora with probiotics and vitamin supplements.

Are you continuing to have the cyanocobalamin injections?

[Polaris]

Hi Agala

I’m so sorry you’re in pain……

You probably know that a stomach ulcer is usually caused by the bacteria, H/pylori, that lives in the stomach lining, and is just one cause of B12 deficiency, as well as the PPIs, antacids, etc. usually used to treat the condition. Apparently, half the population has H. Pylori but not everyone has painful symptoms:

healthline.com/health/helic...

I was treated with strong antibiotics for H/Pylori after it was found during an endoscopy many years ago. I had to pay privately for the endoscopy at the time as my GP wasn’t up to date with this treatment, which had been discovered by an Australian doctor.

nhs.uk/conditions/stomach-u...

I’m gluten free and can still experience uncomfortable bloating after a meal but usually find a tablespoonful of sauerkraut helps, as well as Vogel’s Centaurium (herbal remedy), or anything bitter - lime, lemon, cider vinegar etc.

Wondering if you’ve been offered endoscopy or antibiotics Agala?

🤭Forgot to say that, as well as a gluten free diet, lifelong stomach issues improved by taking kefir on an empty stomach every morning.

[Polaris in reply to Polaris]

PS. “ Barry J. Marshall and Robin Warren, two Australian researchers who discovered the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and deciphered its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, have been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. 2005 “.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

B12 deficiency will not cause stomach issues. Stomach issues can cause B12 deficiency, as can the use of PPIs, such as omeprazole.

[EiCa in reply to Gambit62]

Yep, this is what I kept telling my GI...that my B12 deficiency was not the cause of my major digestive issues. He was quite smug when he saw my B12 was well above range now, as he thought I started injecting because of what he said. I actually started injecting because I have major digestive issues causing malabsorption and that is how i became B12 deficient. I continue to have major gut issues with great B12 levels, much to his dismay...

[wedgewood]

If you have Pernicious Anaemia , ( a common reason for B12 deficiency ) , you can get gut problems . How? —. The Intrinsic Factor Antibodies produced by this autoimmune condition destroy the Parietal cells in the stomach . These cells produce the Intrinsic factor that is needed to facilitate absorption of vitamin B12 . Crucially they also produce stomach acid necessary for absorption of B12 and all other vitamins and minerals . Low / no stomach acid ( Hypochlorhydria/ Achlorhydria) allows the proliferation of bad bacteria that upsets the stomach flora , causing pain and bloating .As mentioned in a previous post , probiotics can help this situation . That’s what helped me , as a Pernicious Anaemia patient . . You can purchase probiotic capsules or eat probiotic food ( sauerkraut , kimchi , real yoghurt , kefir etc. ) Once the probiotics have worked , and a better stomach flora is established , then the pain disappeared . I don’t know if this is your problem , but thought I would add my experience to the pot ,

The following might be of interest —

How to diagnose Pernicious Anaemia

by elimination when you have B12 deficiency symptoms .

if you are not vegan or strict vegetarian.

If you do not take Metformin or PPIs ( proton pump inhibitors e.g.Omeprazole ) any acid-negating preparations and other pharmaceutical drugs ( look up on the internet )

If you do not abuse Nitrous Oxide ( laughing gas)

If you do not have fish tapeworm

If you have not had surgery to your digestive system, then you probably have P.A.

Then , also if you can tick 4 of the following ———

Low serum B12

Symptoms of B12 deficiency (Google to find out - and there are many symptoms.

Gastric atrophy restricted to the corpus and fundus

Intestinal metaplasia in the stomach ( can be caused by Helicobacter Pylori.infection

Macrocytic anaemia ( enlarged red blood cells) and not enough normal sized

Hypergastrinaemia (various causes including Helicobacter Pylori infection .)

Of course a positive result for an Intrinsic Factor Antibody test( IFAB) is

conclusive proof of Pernicious Anaemia, but , in about 50% of P.A. patients , the test comes back as negative.

High Homocysteine level occurs in untreated or insufficiently treated Pernicious Anaemia patients , but there are also other causes for it .

High levels of Methylmelonic acid can also be indicative of Pernicious Anaemia.( In blood or urine )

Don’t forget that this information does not come from a medical source , but from someone who went undiagnosed for many years , and has an irreversible symptom for that reason . By trial and error ( and gross financial depletion ) I have arrived at the above . I did get a conclusive diagnosis ( lucky to get a positive IFA test , obtained through a private doctor ,which was acknowledged by my GP , but I could not get sufficient injections ( only allowed 1 every 3 months ) So now I self inject weekly, and keep well, and have to cope with the irreversible symptom .

Reading posts on the forum has been very informative. Best wishes .

[Linde19]

Maybe you can try hydrocobalamin in stead of cyanocobalamin.

Cyano works less and shorter.

Besides that please have patience it takes a long time to recover.

If you feel a bit better after an injection but after a while it goes down again, it might be that you need more injections. Wish you the best