Shall be grateful for any pointers on the following:
1) Are there any NHS ( - or other?) consultants in Bhm, perhaps neurologists, who are particularly known for assessing the benefits of B12 injections ( - in cases where the 'naff' standard B12 test is showing no deficiency . . . too!) ??! And,
2) Anyone in Bhm - or elsewhere in the UK - already quite familiar with self-injecting B12 reading this ? If so, would be grateful for your experiences of this, in terms of brands used, costs ( - financial & other) . . . & benefits experienced, as I'm considering B12 injections as a trial.
Shall be pleased to receive replies to the above two closely related B12 issues.
Thanks Sπ»π» much for your wide-ranging reply, Nackapan ! π
Serum B12 is now comfortably above range, due to judicious supplementation over months with 'high quality' B12 & B complex drops, now suspended, with serum folate within range ( - indicating its being used OK . . . rather than accumulating, most probably ?).
However, symptoms those drops might have relieved CONTINUE, albeit to a slightly lower extent ( - subjectively). Mainly 'neuro' - e.g. pins & needles in arms during sleep, . . . & waking feeling cβld in bed; also 'restless legs' during sleep has been assessed ( - & found to be worse than in the past!). Unfreshedness, fatigue, weariness, . . .
Questions:
1) do many in NHS ( - primary care, or Hosp) offer the helpful-seeming tests ? ( - active B12, MMA, . . . & homocysteine ? & would the results of these be affected now by the supplementation ?).
2) many cases of 'functional deficiency' only respond to the hydroxocobalamin πs, . . . not to supplementation, hmm??! ( - these then often/usually HAVE to be continued, . . . for life, as you said !?! Hmm ... ! ).
Hv recently found Dr Chandy's detailed consideration on B12 deficiency, thanks to reference to this on Dr S Myhill's B12 page ! Seems like steps π£ π£ π£ in the right direction . . . β
If you click on "project documents" then on "consultation comments and responses" it gives a good insight into current issues around diagnosis and treatment.
Two useful B12 books
"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper
Martyn Hooper is the former chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society).
Some of the UK treatment info needs updating in book.
"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (US authors)
Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.
Links to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 deficiency info eg causes and symptoms, more UK B12 documents, B12 books, B12 films, B12 websites and B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.
Some links may have details that could be upsetting.
Thank yπΈu, very much ! ( - If you need a job, . . . please let me know ! Feel sure can find you something . . . suitable & interesting ! π ).
. . . you may nβt have medical 'training' - unlike our "Drs" - but what you Dπ₯ have is specific medical 'experience' which has clearly proved of value to you, . . . & may well be to many others !
I've only just found this area of biochem, . . . & am astonished to see what I'm finding - not least at B12d.org ! π
Seems you're WIDE awake, & alert to these issues, Slπ€py π, . . . unlike MUCH of the seemingly 'trained' members of our ( - rather drowsy/dopey?) medical profession ! We could wonder how many of them have B12 issues, . . . and dβn't even realise it ??β ... π±βπ βπ
Thanks for being there, . . . & posting such a full reply ! π
AtB,
Sid π
Thursday 4 May 2023 - hmmm, the Force strong with Yπ₯U is ... ! π
Old joke: Why dβn't Drs spend time looking things up ( - on t'net or elsewhere) ? 'Cos the learnt all the need to know ... at Medical School ! π πΉ πΉ πΉ βββ
. . . hmm, on a little πing, found there's a consultant neurologist, Dr David Nicholl, at the QEH, Birmingham whose research interest includes Parkinson's ( - hence low dopamine levels, one cld surmise, . . . these potentially being improved by higher B12 levels in the brain/CNS !?!). Suspect there's unlikely to be anyone on this forum who's seen him ? ( - & a list of other neuros at the QEH on searching for David N's profile too ! π ).
If anyone has seen him, shall be pleased to receive some feedback ( - on here, or via a PM) on how helpful his service was ! π
AtB,
Sid π
On 'Coronated' w'end, Sunday 7 May 2023; fine & dandy as can be, ... amidst the 'noise & the haste . . . ' - a desiderata' perhaps ? π . . . π
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