Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (Full Version)

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dovie -> Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 2:51:14 PM)

hello all,

*sigh.....blood work completed and tests reveal i am severely lacking the oh so wonderful B12 vitamin. the options presented are B12 shots or B12 shots. Doc says i'm not getting enough of the vitamin through my food supply. on the flip side, i'm glad to know what's going on with my body.

has anyone experienced this? if so, what treatment did you follow?  how long did it take to bring your B12 levels up?

thanks in advance for any information or help.

dream well,
dovie
p.s.     and NO, i am not trying to get a little needle play in on the side [:D]




hisannabelle -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 2:55:01 PM)

greetings dovie,

i'm just finishing up 8 weeks of shots...next week is the last week (i think). it seems to be helping. the shots really aren't THAT bad...it's annoying to have to go to the doctor every week, but i do that anyway. the good news is the labwork came back and it does seem to (finally!) be raising the levels in the way that diet and vitamins were not, for whatever reason. i am not sure if i will have to continue with monthly shots yet; we have also discussed b12 pills, but i am not sure if that will work given that the daily vitamins were not helping. but so far the weekly shots seem to be helping...if that is what your doctor thinks is best and you are comfortable with the idea, i would recommend it - it's worked for me at least.

best of luck to you!

respectfully,
annabelle.




Sabella -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 3:07:56 PM)

Hopefully your doc is digging to get to the bottom of WHY you're not absorbing B12 from your food as well. Check out this link: http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/m/malabsorption/causes.htm#underlyconditions

I've always been prone to low B vitamins & anemic as well & I suspect Celiac is at the bottom of it. Good luck & hope you get to feeling better!!!!




angelikaJ -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 3:12:06 PM)

The shots aren't that bad. If going to the Dr every week for how ever many consecutive weeks seems like it is not do-able then it may be possible for them to teach you at the Dr.'s office how to do them yourself.

Good Luck!

aJ




acissej -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 3:21:49 PM)

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia nine years ago.  It's a pain in the ass, but it's really not that bad.  The B-12 shots will make you feel a million times better.  My memory is a little fuzzy on what exactly was done when I was first diagnosed, but I think I was getting shots once a week for a month or two.  Once my B-12 level was normal, I got a shot once a month.  One hematologist told me I could go every three months, but I'd start to feel crappy again by the middle of the second month.  I got fed up with going to the doctor once a month for shots, so after a year or two, once everything was under control, I started injecting the B-12 myself.  It's a little strange sticking a needle in yourself at first, but I'd much rather do it than go to the trouble of seeing the doctor once a month.  Sometimes I forget to do my monthly shot, but my body is pretty good at telling me when I'm due. 

From what I understand, most B-12 deficiencies are due to an absorption problem.  It's unlikely B-12 pills will help if you're not naturally absorbing enough from your food. 

Out of curiosity, did you have to do the Schilling's (or is it Schiller's) test?  The one where you have to collect your urine for a few days?  I had to do that, but when I saw a new hematologist a year ago, she said they almost never use that test anymore. 

If you have any specific questions, feel free to message me on the other side. 

Edited because I forgot something.  My doctors always thought the injections were more effective, but there's apparently some kind of nasal B-12 spray. 







dovie -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 5:03:51 PM)

thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!!  i've felt like crap over the last year, but attributed it to the stress of caring for an elder parent. 
my next appt is on Thursday.  i will ask about "absorption issues," and alternative ways to intake B12. i cannot wait to feel better. thanks again!

dream well,
dovie




Carrianna -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/16/2007 5:08:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dovie

hello all,

*sigh.....blood work completed and tests reveal i am severely lacking the oh so wonderful B12 vitamin. the options presented are B12 shots or B12 shots. Doc says i'm not getting enough of the vitamin through my food supply. on the flip side, i'm glad to know what's going on with my body.

has anyone experienced this? if so, what treatment did you follow?  how long did it take to bring your B12 levels up?

thanks in advance for any information or help.

dream well,
dovie
p.s.     and NO, i am not trying to get a little needle play in on the side [:D]


Hello dovie

Have you read up about USANA products?  I use them and find them fantastic, the have worked for me, (but not regarding your issue) they are not your usual vitemins, these products work.




amativedame -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/17/2007 7:33:14 PM)

I had the same problem and had really good luck with the sublinguals.  (My doctors office doesn't do injections.)




mystictryst -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/17/2007 9:32:52 PM)

I had a B12 deficiency as well - for me it was caused because of a vegetarian diet. I didn't have enough variety (with legumes) so it came highly recommened to commence eating meat again... I did, over the course of 6 months, and still eat meat (I did take vitamins but couldn't absorb it that way).




Sabella -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/18/2007 9:37:51 AM)

Mystictryst check this out http://spirulina.org.uk/protien_supplement.htm
or just google "spirulina protein" & you'll find tons of info.
http://spirulina4nutrition.com/spirulina-health-benefits/

And here for complete nutritional breakout (very high in B vitamins as well!) FYI 10 grams is a TBSP. You have to build up to that kind of dose tho, believe me. Start out with 1/2 a tsp a day & then gradually go up. Otherwise it's a bit too "cleansing"
http://www.spirulina.com/SPBNutrition.html







Termyn8or -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/18/2007 7:56:34 PM)

I have a different perspective on the subject, do not take it as gospel, but consider it.

I am 47, and when I was in school they taught us that the only vitamin the human body could not manufacture for itself was C, and this trait was shared by a few other species'. Between my research over the years, and not contradicting old knowledge I have arrived at a few conclusions.

To start, whenever you eat something you are putting it into a vat of extremely strong hydrochloric acid. The molecules are quickly broken down into their component parts. Atoms.Most vitmins basically are hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, things that are readily available. But the chemical processes in our bodies have been compromised by malnutrition. Malnutrition is not defined by how much you eat, but by if you are getting what you need out of what you eat. Another conclusion of mine seems very ironic, but I think it true. That overweight people are indeed malnourished.

I found something interesting during my research, it is very hard to find the exact formula for what they call vitamins. I tried to find out which vitamins contain essential minerals, after all the are called vitamins. Vita=life and mins=minerals. Centuries ago, people knew what they were doing, such as using unrefined seasalt to enhance their diet.

The need for this came from the fact that mankind was no longer nomadic, and farms stayed put. The land got played out and they began to suffer. Lower birth weight, shortened longevity and other ailments. When mankind was nomadic they simply moved "to greener pastures". But once you settle, you can't do that. So the land got played out. You can only fertilize it so much.

The problem is worse than ever now. They only fertilize with what the plants need, we need alot more. They get paid by the pound. Salt companies now refine the product and actually make alot more off of the "impurities" they remove. These are sold to drug, chemical and other companies. They are used for everything from drugs to gasoline additives.

Part two. I believe that when they measure the vitamin content of different foods, it doesn't matter, as long as the components of the vitamin are absorbed from one's diet, as well as minerals which support the process.They may find the vitamin in your body, but it was your body which produced it, just like the chicken or the eggplant, or the beef or broccoli.

Also difficult to find is the exact mechanism by which your body forms the needed vitamins. Years ago I found out why people become diabetic, it is due either to a mineral deficiency or a malabsorption problem, and that particular malady has been cured in animals, as well as ulcers and a few other things.

All of this has led to alot more conclusions and research. I don't believe anything they say at face value anymore. They are making too much money to be trusted. Establishment research is driven by that same money, and I find many of their results useless.

People do not comprehend this generally. While sulfur may not be a component of any vitamin, it could be essential for it's production in the human body. You might not find any vanadium in insulin, but it is damn well needed to make it. Sulfur is just an example.

The USDA recognizes 24 minerals as being essential, yet there is very little information put forth on the subject. That is called big money at work.

I have said it before and I will say it again, it is one of my conclusions, but I think it true.

Deficiencies do not cause every disease, but a prolonged deficiency will always cause a disease.

Don't stop anything that seems to be working for you, but try to see the bigger picture. When you talk injections, it goes directly to the bloodstream. Taking a vitamin orally is useless if you have certain mineral deficiencies.

Take evereything I say with a grain of salt. Ideally this would be unrefined, naturally harvested sea salt. It is starting to get very expensive and hard to find. There is good reason for that.

T




kyraofMists -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/19/2007 5:49:23 AM)

Several years ago my mom was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia due to her body's inability to absorb B12.  Frankly, she almost died and I was the one taking care of her.  It was one of the scariest times in my life.

Every month she has a B12 shot and she has been completely healthy since then.  She will continue to have the shots for the rest of her life.  Her body will not absorb it through her stomach (so pills wont work either) and she will die without this vitamin, then shots are a very small price to pay to live for several more decades.

Knight's Kyra




Petronius -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/19/2007 3:42:19 PM)

Despite other claims, you may try oral B12. For example, see
"Oral vitamin B12 therapy in the primary care setting: a qualitative and quantitative study of patient perspectives" by Jeff C. Kwong et al.
BMC Family Practice, 2005 6:8
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/6/8

In any case, best wishes.




Bearlee -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (10/19/2007 3:58:37 PM)

 

OMG... Ask the doc to check for worms!  Dr. House pulled a 30' tapeworm from a woman's stomach...it had been getting all her vitamines!  No wonder the poor thing was feeling weak...
 
 
 
(sorry...true story (that I saw it on TV, I mean)...  I do hope you get well soon)
b




queerandcurious -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (11/26/2007 5:41:48 PM)

i'm not sure what type of diet Y/you eat, but if Y/you are not eating enough animal products Y/you could very likely not being getting enough B12 in Y/your diet. Vegans have to worry about this a lot and if they aren't careful it can kill them. i hope this helps!




dovie -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (11/29/2007 11:02:55 AM)

thank you all for your well wishes.. i am feeling a little bit better.....had the 4th shot yesterday....OMG @ Ms Bearlee and tapeworms......just the thought of that....woieeee....

and yes, i was not eating red meat at all and hardly any other types. the information given here is wonderful...gave me plenty of ideas and info to discuss with the Doc..........i am going to try the spirulina as i've heard more than a few times how good it is for our bodies.  Thank again to all......so wonderful!!

hugs,
dovie




Alethea -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (11/29/2007 5:36:04 PM)

Yes, I had have a b-12 deficiency. Sublingual tablets taken 6 times a day helped tremendously.
These were prscribed by a naturopathic physician after testing.

I ate little red meat and my body wasn't properly absorbing this nutrient .
It is easy to fix. [:)]




dovie -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (11/29/2007 7:23:52 PM)

thank you Alethea....i am very hopeful!!

dream well,
dovie




sweetnurseBBW -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (11/29/2007 8:14:12 PM)

If you have any stomach problems taking B12 orally will not help you. People with stomach and absorption problems don't produce enough intrinsic factor to absorb B12 through foods and oral agents, his is pernicious  anemia. So if you do not have absorption issues via, stomach surgeries, on chronic anti ulcer therapy or malabsorption syndromes and diseases then oral agents may work. Depends on what is causing the B12 deficiency that determines the treatment method.

When the injections are given all  the B12 is readily available in the blood stream. When an oral agent is given it has to be broken down and absorbed by the body. So this leaves with 40-60% availability. The injections, which I have had work faster and the way I was feeling I wanted to feel better quickly. B12 deficiency can be life threatening and in severe cases injections are the quickest and best way to treat it.

Here is an article. Good luck to you.

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/20862.html




Alethea -> RE: Severe vitamin B12 deficiency (11/30/2007 4:50:54 PM)

Yes, injections are probably the most potent. Sublingual ( under the tongue) tablets are easily assimilated because they don't come in contact with stomach acid and are absorbed immediately.
They are inexpensive, no need for prescription, and readily available at vitamin stores.

health to you!




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