Greetings everyone:
I hope my feedback is of help to all. The knowledge I acquired with just one week of searching this site plus your answers with so much information provided emotional relief
and the ability to continue to the next level. Much appreciated indeed.
The good news: from the CBC done on Nov.22/12 my ferritin rose from a low 7 (minimum here is 11) to 18 on Jan.10/13 for the first time in five years. This good news on Jan.18, same day I asked the MD for B12 shot and also got prescription, but he stated monthly shots. So, at health store got sublingual drops of methylcobalamin and also strips to use meantime. Noticed that the 15 drops (equivalent to 1,000mg) I take first thing in the morning are being absorbed: fatigue and muscular spasms are slowly receeding.
The MD was not aware of the test for "actual" B 12 in the body and asked me to provide the link, which I had just located available in Canada (IBS International), based on answer supplied by Marre. Note that my CBC from Jan.10 shows B12 levels at 630 in the pool.
The increase in ferritin is result of switching on my own on Dec. 20 to Feramax iron pills, poly-sacharide format that bypases the stomach and gets absorbed in the intestines. Pellets in gel cap. On my own I upped their dose to 300 mg half way through, then almost falling down of exhaustion and close to fainting got calf liver and tenderloin, and have since been consuming meat twice a day plus added 2% milk, after 30 years of no milk drinking. Switched from "rabbit food" to meat, fish, and dairy, all are sources of B12. Remain on a high protein diet of meat, salmon, and dairy, with vegetables and fruits. No chicken, grains, or nuts of any type because "lectins" interfere. Legumes: beans (even the green type) and lentils are out for the same reason. To my surprise I digest that high level of protein and vegetables/fruits very well. One: blood type B carry the enzime to digest lipids, and two: lectin elimination.
Also share my current vitamin/supplement protocol: 300 mg of Feramax ($45.pm); 1 potent multivitamin/minerals; 5,000 mg of B3 (helps production of HDL); 1 strong probiotic; 1,000 mg of magnesium sulfate (for muscular spasms/easy elimination); 1,000 mg of flax seed oil for Omega 3; plus 3,000 of evening primrose oil for Omega 6, and powdered flax seed on evening yogurt. Note that all cost approx. $100pm, not covered because over the counter.
B12 shots with prescription cost only dispensing fee. But I refuse prescription drugs altogether, the Omeprazole the MD prescribed for stomach pain prevents B12 absorption.
Stomach trouble is gone with elimination of grains. Bathe with 1 cup of either Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) or baking soda to eliminate toxins; no chemicals either in the body or laundry/house cleaning, just plain white vinegar.
Next step is to determine what type of blood test I will request: for pernicious anemia or inability to absorb B12? Currently searching from the alternatives available and will provide more information on that angle at my next input.
Here's to our good health!
mashby