Long Covid similarities to B12 deficiency

[WiscGuy]

I was just reading through a description of long Covid and was struck by the similarities to B12 deficiency.

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc...

[RoseFlowerDew]

PAS mentioned in a meeting last year that trials in the UK for long Covid with B12 are proving to be quite successful. I’m not sure where they received information about it but a quick search shows

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

And

hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-imp...

[WiscGuy in reply to RoseFlowerDew]

Very interesting in general, and interesting to see the stated need for better understanding of what constitutes deficiency, and what levels of treatment are effective. Thanks for posting these links.

[Scott-rock in reply to RoseFlowerDew]

just forwarded these to my nephew who is still suffering.

B12 plays such an important role in our bodies.

[Orchard33]

Having had a serious viral infection at age 20 and what is called ME for years afterwards, I believe that post-viral syndromes are very similar to b12 deficiency/PA. In fact, in my view, they are indistinguishable. Anyone with these syndromes should be treated intensively with injected B12.

[HeartyGilly]

I needed extra B12 jabs after contracting Covid and then Flu. They certainly helped.

[Nackapan]

Yes. Thank you. I think PAS put out a similar posting some time ago.

May heighten awareness to find the connection.

🤞

[Sleepybunny]

PAS article about Long Covid and B12 deficiency

pernicious-anaemia-society....

Response to BMJ article about Long Covid that mentions B12 deficiency

bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m30...

[Mixteca]

It is thanks to discussions in the Long Covid support groups (my family has LC, I don't) that I was made aware that such a thing as B12D even existed - I had no clue or awareness about this disease but I've taken a deep dive into the science since then.

[Polaris]

I thought the same, WiscGuy, though at the same time re. the statement under:

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc...

‘People not vaccinated against COVID-19 and who become infected may have a higher risk of developing post-COVID conditions compared to people previously vaccinated.’ 

I believe is misleading as it it now seems that, if you had been taking regular higher doses of Vitamin D3, you were much more likely to have a very mild form of Covid and recover quickly with, therefore, no post covid conditions 

[Technoid]

Indeed. There are some good previous threads on the similarity of Long COVID and B12 deficiency and it seems unlikely to be coincidental, similar systems seem to be effected.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

I believe that Martyn Hooper, founder of the Pernicious Anaemia Society, noticed early on that the symptoms were the same - and contacted key figures in major hospitals looking into treating long Covid to alert them to this.

I have read about research regarding the use of DMB (vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin B12) in order to keep older patients, hospitalised with Covid, from needing respirators. (..and possibly ending up with long Covid ???)

It is a shame that those struggling with B12 deficiency (whether PA or not, or never fully investigated ) have to hope that something will eventually be done to help them on the coat-tails of research about treatment for long Covid or nitrous oxide.

The PAS research trials into why some need more B12 than others to manage symptoms looked promising : PAS newsletter Jun 20th, Jun 29th 2018 - "Surprise Findings By Research Team", "More Good News ! Another Step Forward In B12 Research".

Wonder whether this is ongoing or perhaps came to a halt because of Covid or lack of funds ?

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to Cherylclaire]

Research title: "Be Well: A Potential Role For Vitamin B in Covid 19".

Noticed in discussion this morning on BBC about nitrous oxide and a decision not to ban it, they did not mention B12 when talking about the potentially severe neurological problems.

[Starry]

Yes a close overlap although I think PEM distinguishes? I for my sins have a ME diagnosis (following Viral Meningitis shortly before the pandemic) which I would never wish on my worst enemy. The only screening out of B12 deficiency is the flawed blood serum levels, so misdiagnoses perhaps in both directions are probably common. There have been a number of b12 injections trials for ME but unfortunately results were too inconstant to make it into NICE leaving me high and dry from a second angle. but at least a subset do respond. Some may be misdiagnoses or hidden Co morbid but in any case the hyper immune system activation in ME/LC will be consuming B12 in greater quantities in cases of fighting off Viral reactivation / ghost remnants I would think.

Certainly my zinc is abnormally low.