Just a quickie

[jankei]

My vit B12 was only just in range, so I got myself some SBR nutrition 3000mcg methylcobalamin dropper under tongue. I have nearly finished it and wonder if there is something better I should have? Doctor prescribed Vit D and I have also been taking folic acid. Thanks for any advice. Sorry should I say I am Hashi's and on 75 Levo currently. Diagnosed about 5 months now.

[greygoose]

If your B12 was that low, you should have been tested for Pernicious Anemia. What did your doctor say?

Folic acid is not the best thing to take, methylfolate is better. And, if you're taking B12, you should also be taking a B complex, to keep the Bs balanced. So, it would be better to get a B complex with methylfolate to take with your B12.

[jankei in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your reply. My B12 was in range, just. So he said no action required. Can you tell me what they test for pernicious anemia? I have had loads done all normal, but I can look up if there is anything specific. I decided to get my own B12 as he didn't consider I needed it. Is there any particular make I should get? Would there be an all in one or is the complex separate? Thanks again for your help. Oh, I did ask if I was anaemic and he said no, just remembered.

[greygoose in reply to jankei]

Well, he would, wouldn't he. He doesn't know any better!

I doubt he would test for PA without being specifically asked. Doctors don't understand how important B12 is. Mine said 'it's just a vitamin'! But I believe the test is called Intrinsic Factor antibodies? Although that's no infallible, there are others, but I can't remember the names - Marz , can you help, please?

All B complexes contain B12, I believe, but not enough to raise a low level like yours. So, you would need to take both. Jarrow's is a good brand, and some people like Solgar for the B12. And, a good B complex is Igennus.

[Marz in reply to greygoose]

MMA and Homocysteine are tests done when B12 Deficiency is suspected. Raised levels can indicate low B12 in the cells where it is needed.

Intrinsic Factor is secreted in the stomach from Parietal Cells. IF binds to B12 molecules in food and safely transports it through the gut and it is metabolised in the Terminal Ileum for it's return back to the liver.

You are legally entitled to have copies of all your test results. Hopefull a FBC Full Blood Count was done to rule out anaemia. Ferritin ? - was it tested ? - serum iron ?

[greygoose in reply to Marz]

Good reply, Marz. I shall make a not of all that.

[Marz in reply to greygoose]

Excellent - you shall go to the TOP of the class

[jankei in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz, and thanks for taking the time to relate all that. I have had a full blood count done on every test and ferritin etc. I have a copy of all of the tests and have full access to my medical records on line. As I said everything comes back normal, except last time Vit D.

[Marz in reply to jankei]

Have you read the book - Could it be B12 ? - by Sally Pacholok ? A B12 level below 500 can be the cause of neurological symptoms and cognitive decline. Changes in spinal fluid happen at low levels of B12 and as Professor Smith demonstrated brain shrinkage also takes place. On my phone so not able to post links - will do so later if I remember 😊 B12 range starts at 500 in Japan and I believe they have less Alzheimers than in the west.

I was always told my B12 was fine in the 300's until ... I live with the consequences. My Terminal Ileum was removed at 27 due to gut TB and I was not informed I would need B12 injections for life. I am now 72 and have been injecting since I discovered its importance a few years ago. Repairing the myelin sheath is a slow process. I self inject weekly - sometimes more.

So if your GP thought your B12 was fine then I would check the Blood Count results - especially the red blood cell count. He would appear to be happy if you are in range - but it is where you are in range that is important 😊 Normal is an opinion and not a result !!

VitD - hopefully you have considered taking the co-factors ? Not mentioned by Docs routinely. Magnesium and VitK2-MK7 ?

[jankei in reply to Marz]

Now I am truly worried. My B12 was only 206 on 22 Aug. I have been taking 3000 B12 since then, so hope it has increased. Blood test after my hols in November. I checked my red blood cell count and it was 5.05 near the top of range - 5.50. I am about to order more vits, so I will sort out those other co-factors too. What is worrying too is that if I hadn't read this forum I would not have asked to have my vits tested and would never have known. Lots of people don't have regular bloods done and could also be suffering.

[Marz in reply to jankei]

Please do not be worried - you have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment. Yes it is sad that so many people do not have their vitamins and minerals tested - but then Nutrition is not included at Med School Sadly even when people have their B12 tested they are told all is well - even when bumping along the bottom of the range - as happened with your GP. Many B12 D symptoms overlap with Low Thyroid and very often go together. See link below and scroll down for the neurological symptoms of B12 D ...

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Also on the same link you will see FILMS on the Left in the Menu - videos that are well worth watching to understand the seriousness of B12 D. Poor Dr Carr who was paralysed and dying before being diagnosed - yes a Doc. Also on the Menu you will see the Sally Pacholok film - Could it be B12 ?

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

In the above link are the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Folate and Cobalamin Deficiency - they are probably sitting on your GP's desk but not read !! Sorry they are long - but does cover the other tests I mentioned - Homocysteine and the MMA tests to diagnose low B12 in the cells.

youtube.com/watch?feature=p...

The above video is around 45 minutes long and Professor Smith begins to speak around 4 minutes in. It is about the research done with B12 and the shrinking brain ...

Sorry for the information overload - but it all taught me a great deal from others who know more than me My B12 issues have left me with horrid dead legs - after decompression surgery of the spine. No complaints - I teach yoga twice a week - swim loads in the summer in my pool and am still running a small business here in Crete ! If you click onto my username you can read my Bio - only takes a couple of minutes ...

[jankei in reply to Marz]

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to put all those links for me. So far I have looked up my FBC results and compared them to what they say would be vit B12 deficiency or anemia. I think my numbers look pretty good, if I am doing it right. my ferritin seems ok too. I don't seem to have much in the way of symptoms for PA, other than those that could be low thyroid and then very mild, eg tinnitus, brain fog. So I think I'll just carry on self-supplementing with all you have recommend and see what happens after my next blood test. Glad to hear you are enjoying life, I will read you bio later - Household duties call!

[Marz in reply to jankei]

The symptom list I posted above was for B12 Deficiency not PA. Happy reading and watching