What do all of these chronic diseases have in common?
- Alzheimer’s, dementia, cognitive decline, and memory loss (collectively referred to as “aging”)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological disorders
- Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Learning or developmental disorders in kids
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Autoimmune disease and immune dysregulation
- Cancer
- Male and female infertility
Answer: Their signs and symptoms can all be mimicked by a vitamin B12 deficiency.
An Invisible Epidemic
B12 deficiency isn’t a bizarre, mysterious disease. It’s written about in every medical textbook, and its causes and effects are well-established in the scientific literature.
However, the condition is far more common than most healthcare practitioners and the general public realize. Data from a Tufts University study suggests that 40 percent of people between the ages of 26 and 83 have plasma B12 levels in the low normal range—a range at which many experience neurological symptoms. Nine percent had an outright nutrient deficiency, and 16 percent exhibited “near deficiency.” Most surprising to the researchers was the fact that low B12 levels were as common in younger people as they were in the elderly. (1)
That said, this type of deficiency has been estimated to affect about 40 percent of people over 60 years of age. It’s entirely possible that at least some of the symptoms we attribute to “normal” aging—such as memory loss, cognitive decline, and decreased mobility—are at least in part caused by a deficiency.
Why Is It Underdiagnosed?
This is why most studies underestimate true levels of deficiency. Many deficient people have so-called “normal” levels of B12.
Yet, it is well-established in the scientific literature that people with B12 levels between 200 pg/mL and 350 pg/mL—levels considered “normal” in the U.S.—have clear vitamin deficiency symptoms. (2) Experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a deficiency, like Sally Pacholok, R.N., and Jeffrey Stuart, D.O., suggest treating all patients that are symptomatic and have B12 levels less than 450 pg/mL. (3) They also recommend treating patients who show normal B12 levels but also have elevated urinary methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine, or holotranscobalamin, which are other markers of a deficiency in vitamin B12.
B12 deficiency can mimic the signs of Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and several mental illnesses. Find out what this vitamin does and learn how to treat a deficiency. #B12 #B12deficiency #cognitivedecline
In Japan and Europe, the lower limit for B12 is between 500 and 550 pg/mL. Those levels are associated with psychological and behavioral symptoms, such as:
- Cognitive decline
- Dementia
- Memory loss (4)
Some experts have speculated that the acceptance of higher levels as normal in Japan and the willingness to treat levels considered “normal” in the U.S. explain the low rates of Alzheimer’s and dementia in that country.
What Is Vitamin B12 and Why Do You Need It?
Vitamin B12 works together with folate in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells. It’s also involved in the production of the myelin sheath around the nerves and the conduction of nerve impulses. You can think of the brain and the nervous system as a big tangle of wires. Myelin is the insulation that protects those wires and helps them to conduct messages.
Severe B12 deficiency in conditions like pernicious anemia (an autoimmune condition where the body destroys intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of the vitamin) used to be fatal until scientists figured out death could be prevented by feeding patients raw liver, which contains high amounts of B12. But anemia is the final stage of a deficiency. Long before anemia sets in, deficient patients will experience several other problems, including fatigue, lethargy, weakness, memory loss, and neurological and psychiatric problems.
The Stages of a Deficiency
B12 deficiency occurs in four stages, beginning with declining blood levels of the vitamin (stage I), progressing to low cellular concentrations of the vitamin (stage II), an increased blood level of homocysteine and a decreased rate of DNA synthesis (stage III), and finally, macrocytic anemia (stage IV). (5)
Common B12 Deficiency Symptoms
The signs can look like the symptoms of several other serious disorders, and the neurological effects of low B12 can be especially troubling.
Here are some of the most common vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms:
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- Brain fog, confusion, and memory problems
- Depression
- Premature aging
- Cognitive decline
- Anemia
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
- Constipation
- Trouble balancing (6)
Children can also show symptoms, including developmental issues and learning disabilities if their B12 levels are too low.
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Why Is It So Common?
The absorption of B12 is complex and involves several steps—any of which can go wrong. Any of the following can cause B12 malabsorption:
- Intestinal dysbiosis
- Leaky gut and gut inflammation
- Atrophic gastritis or hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid
- Pernicious anemia
- Medications, especially proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and other acid-suppressing drugs
- Alcohol
- Exposure to nitrous oxide, during either surgery or recreational use
This explains why a deficiency can occur even in people eating large amounts of B12-containing animal products. In fact, many of my patients that are B12 deficient are following a Paleo diet where they eat meat two or three times daily.
Who Is at Risk for a Deficiency?
In general, the following groups are at greatest risk for a deficiency:
- Vegetarians and vegans
- People aged 60 or over
- People who regularly use PPIs or acid-suppressing drugs
- People on diabetes drugs like metformin
- People with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac, or IBS
- Women with a history of infertility and miscarriage
Note to Vegetarians and Vegans: B12 Is Found Only in Animal Products
You cannot get B12 from plant-based sources. This vitamin is only found in animal products. That’s why vegetarians and vegans need to know the signs of deficiency—and the steps necessary to fix the problem.
A common myth among vegetarians and vegans is that it’s possible to get B12 from plant sources like:
- Fermented soy
- Spirulina
- Brewers yeast
However, plant foods said to contain B12 actually contain B12 analogs called cobamides that block the intake of and increase the need for true B12. (7) That explains why studies consistently demonstrate that up to 50 percent of long-term vegetarians and 80 percent of vegans are deficient in B12. (8, 9)
Seaweed is another commonly cited plant source of B12, but this idea is controversial. Research indicates that there may be important differences in dried versus raw purple nori; namely, raw nori may be a good source of B12, while dried nori may not be. One study indicated that the drying process used for seaweed creates B12 analogs, making it a poor source of the vitamin, while animal research suggests that dried nori can correct a B12 deficiency. (10, 11) Seaweed may provide B12, but it’s not clear if those benefits are negated when that seaweed is dried. I recommend caution for that reason.
The Impact of a Deficiency on Children
The effects of B12 deficiency on kids are especially alarming. Studies have shown that kids raised until age six on a vegan diet are still B12 deficient even years after they start eating at least some animal products. In one study, the researchers found an association between a child’s B12 status and their performance on testing measuring:
- Spatial ability
- Fluid intelligence
- Short-term memory
Researchers found that formerly vegan children scored lower than their omnivorous counterparts in each area. (12)
The deficit in fluid intelligence is particularly troubling, the researchers said, because this area impacts a child’s ability to reason, work through complex problems, learn, and engage in abstract thinking. Defects in any of these areas could have long-term consequences for kids.
I recognize that there are many reasons why people choose to eat the way they do, and I respect people’s right to make their own choices. I also know that, like all parents, vegetarians and vegans want the best for their children. This is why it’s absolutely crucial for those that abstain from animal products to understand that there are no plant sources of B12 and that all vegans and most vegetarians should supplement with B12.
This is especially important for vegetarian or vegan children or pregnant women, whose need for B12 is even greater. If you’re not willing to take a dietary supplement, it may be time to think twice about your vegetarian or vegan diet.
How to Treat a Deficiency
One of the greatest tragedies of the B12 epidemic is that diagnosis and treatment are relatively easy and cheap—especially when compared to the treatment patients will need if they’re in a late stage of deficiency. A B12 test can be performed by any laboratory, and it should be covered by insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you can order it yourself from a lab like DirectLabs.com.
As always, adequate treatment depends on the underlying mechanism causing the problem. People with pernicious anemia or inflammatory gut disorders like Crohn’s disease are likely to have impaired absorption for their entire lives and will likely require B12 injections or high-dose oral cobalamin indefinitely. This may also be true for those with a severe deficiency that’s causing neurological symptoms.
Typically in the past, most B12 experts recommended injections over high-dose oral cobalamin for people with pernicious anemia and an advanced deficiency involving neurological symptoms. However, recent studies have suggested that high-dose oral or nasal administration may be as effective as injections for those with B12 malabsorption problems. (13, 14)
Try Supplementing
Japanese studies indicate that methylcobalamin is even more effective in treating neurological symptoms and that it may be better absorbed because it bypasses several potential problems in the B12 absorption cycle. (15, 16) On top of that, methylcobalamin provides the body with methyl groups that play a role in various biological processes important to overall health.
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Change Your Diet
Nourishing your body through whole food is the best way to get the vitamins and nutrients you need. If you’re low on B12, try eating some vitamin-rich foods like:
- Liver
- Shellfish
- Clams
- Oysters
- Organ Meats
Eating other kinds of seafood, like octopus, fish eggs, lobster, and crab, can also help you attain normal B12 levels. If you’re seafood-averse, you can also get this vitamin from:
- Lamb
- Beef
- Eggs
- Cheese
It’s important to note, though, that the amount of B12 in these foods is nowhere near as high as the levels in shellfish and organ meats.
What to Do if You’re Experiencing Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
If you suspect you have a deficiency, the first step is to get tested. You need an accurate baseline to work from.
If you are B12 deficient, the next step is to identify the mechanism causing the deficiency. You’ll probably need help from a medical practitioner for this part. Once the mechanism is identified, the appropriate form (injection, oral, sublingual, or nasal) of supplementation, the dose, and the length of treatment can be selected.
So, next time you or someone you know is “having a senior moment,” remember: It might not be “just aging.” It could be B12 deficiency.
hi,im in the u.k,i just got my blood tests back after suffering from extreme fatigue,tingling and numbness-mainly in the lower arms,wrists and hands.i don’t get a good nights sleep any more,and when i fall asleep my nerves in my hands tighten and clench,this can happen happen when im awake too,just sub-conscious for a while before im conscious that my hands are clenching.anyway my blood tests say at 220 my b12 level is at the low end of normal,but is still normal.my folate is also normal,but at the high end-at 24,not sure if that’s right though as the woman seemed to think my folate was my iron?! i have always been an active woman and have felt weak and not right for months now,just need some advice,should i go back to my doctors? i also had my thyroid tested as i was also cold alot of the time,but that came back normal too.could this symptoms occur due to borderline low b12?,many thanks for a reply
Hi michelle,
just thought i add my 2cents on the thyroid subject.
did you get to see you thyroid results? the normal/basic thyroid lab test is TSH. & the normal lab range is deemed quite wide by a lot of experts in the field.
My last two tests were 3.3 & 2.5 which are will within the normal lab range (which was 0.5 – 4.5). But i had a lot of hypothyroid symptoms, including low body temp (feeling cold), this is generally referred to as Euthyroid Sick Syndrome,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthyroid_sick_syndrome
I have read that a good TSH number is below 1.0 and a body temp generally above 98F.
hi daz,
yes my thyroid tsh level is 2.03
my free t4 level is 11.2
i went to the drs and got my results printed off and made another appointment for next week,found my b12 level was 202,not 220 as i originally thought,forgot to add also that i had been taking b12 supplement for at least five months (Cyanocobalamin kind),my doctor asked me to stop these for two weeks before my blood test.the normal range on the paper states 180.0-914.0.and my folate is 24ng which is above range (4.0-20.0 range on paper),but ‘no further action’ is stated.
i know my symptoms could be b12 or thyroid connected,which is more likely? or do i need further tests-i know my iron must of been tested as she asked if i had ever been anaemic,which i have,but cannot see iron or ferritin levels on results
Need to see what your test ranges are but if my TSH was above 1 on my range of (0.5 – 4.5) I’d be totally hypothyroid. I’d be in bed if my TSH were above 2… but then I have Hashimoto’s syndrome hypothyroidism.
Free T3 with ranges is what you need to see. I need to be high range T3 and T4 to feel best. I don’t try to adjust TSH unless its above 1.
hi finndian,
after it says 2.03mu/L for tsh it has(0.3-5.6),is that the range? my 2.03 is bang in the middle of that isnt it.see also you have the ‘clenching’ going on too,is this just from your thyroid,or do you have low/borderline b12 deficiency too? and the pinching skin,have done this-not sure if its what i see
also free t4 level says 11.2 pmol/L (6.3-14.0)-range? if you wanted to know this
The gathering of skin on the upper arm makes the ‘alligator skin’ effect more pronounced. Its a common complaint with hypothyroids.
http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17077&start=0
Free T3 is more important than all the other tests. T3 is the active fuel for your metabolism. Before I switched to Armour thyroid hormone I wasn’t converting the T4 to T3 effectively and exertion would burn off my already low T3 leaving me exhausted, with yellow alligator skin, constipation and insomnia.
Even feeling terrible I would lift weights, run and do aerobic activity then sit in the sauna for 45 minutes and sweat out my water soluble vitamins like B12 thinking that all that sweating was healthy. Add to this the fact that I don’t eat red meat AND I have come to find that I have the genetic variations of the MTHFR and MTH that make it difficult to absorb B12 and Folate to some degree. I was killing myself trying to be healthy.
After many unexplained nerve problems, vocal cord paralysis and extremities tingling I began injecting methylcobalamin B12 against my doctors wishes. Some studies mention Bell’s palsy responding will to B12 injections so instead of risking losing my voice forever I began the weekly injections. My vocal cord recovered very quickly from the paralysis as a result. ALL of my nerve conditions have slowly dissipated although one nerve in upper back seems permanently weak now and prone to fatigue. I KNOW it was my B12 levels now and I’m proud to have taken my health into my own hands. Doctors are not trained in nutrition and wouldn’t know a deficiency if it bit them in the ass.
I had not heard of the potassium connection until this site and now I am taking 1200mg of potassium chloride I bought over the counter in Paris. I could not figure out why my hands would continue to tingle even after injecting B12. Apparently my potassium was plummeting with the injection and that is a symptom of low potassium as well… I’m haven’t felt the sensation since starting potassium.
Finndian, I would suggest that yoiu check out Metafolin. That will take care of your folate problems. TO overcome the paradoxical folate deficiency you may have you would need to titrate metafolin, getting all possible folic acid and folini acid, and perhaps even limit high folate veggies as I have to. I find that I need 15mg of Metyafolin daily to overcome the paradooxical folate deficiency. people without this generally find 1600-3200 mcg ofg Metafolin to be sufficient. With this therre is one form that usually eneds up arounf 6000-8000mcg Metafolin and those with the other form of Paradoxical folate deficiency – folinic acdid/veggie folate may need 12-30mg of Metafolin.
When you start the metyaqfolin, ypur potassium needs may incxrease. Usually peole end up adjusting it to 2000-3000mg of potassium daily to overcome the low potassium symptoms. Good luck.
When I had undiagnosed thyroid disease I would wake up with my hands numb or tingling because I would clench them under my chin (for the first time in my life) while I was sleeping. I was within high normal range but had all the symptoms…especially slightly low body temp.
Gathering a circle of skin of your upper arm… on the inside of your bicep, using your thumb and fore finger. If you see a diamond pattern like snake skin in the gathered flesh you most certainly are hypothyroid and need the hormone.
I am convinced that the B12 level i s set to low in this country.I felt so ill with fatigue racing heart, am cold all the time, foggy thinking and soles of feet feeling strange.
i had to give up my job, doctors thought it was stress, however 9 months later they found my B12 was 140, but they said I just needded to add some fish back into my vegetraian diet and use fortified breakfast ceral. After 3 months B12 was up to 191 then after another 3 months it was 240. However ,another 3 monthson , I am feeling odd again ,depressed and feet feeling “fizzy”(sorry dont know how else to describe it!).The doctors really dont take this seriuosly and I dont want to go back as I get the impression that they think Im a hypocondraic or menopausal. Not sure where to go from here other than perhaps try and change my doctors and hope for more understanding.Strangely the MCV level was always on the low side ,but doctors said she would normally expect it to be high with B12 deficiency- I just get more and more confused. Godd luck I hope you manage to get it sorted. I f you manage to find some answers I would be interested to know.:)
Shirely, The tests are terrible. Even the high end is too low functionally to be symptoms free of active b12 deficiency symptoms. Also, low iron will cause small blood cells and be misleading when looking for a high MCV with b12/folate deficiencies.
Michelle, With low b12 folate can be high becasue the reactions requing dfolate also requires b12 and that can be stopping everything. As symptoms are generally response to mb12 and adb12 ecven with serum levels well over 1500pg/ml, there not taking b12 becasue it is abpove a statisticval “high” that means you have more than the top 2.5%, but says nothing about wheter it is active or effective. The ONLY definitive test is a trial of mb12 with adb12 and Metafolin and other cofactors. If somebody has a bunch of the 300 symprpoms of b12/folatge deficiencies then they respnsd to mb12/adb12 etc of the right brands. Low carnotine can also look exactly like low adb12 because both/each can shut down the mitochondria. In some forms of paradoxical folagte deficiency there can be high serum folate and it is all useless inacvtive forms of folate which accumulates and blocks the real methylfolate.
Hi Moongirl,
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?threads/active-b12-protocol-basics.10138/ has all the basics with updates towards the end of the thread. I’m working on the version for hypersensitives. A good balanced inclusive vitamin and supplements program is needed. A, B-complex, C, D, E, minerals, omega3 oils, lecithin are basicsw. Portassium is essential to prevent problem and is common immediuate induced deficiency with Metafolin number 2 in that.
Is there a connection between pale stools and low B12?
I can now answer this question myself and perhaps help somebody else out at the same time. I’ve been supplementing with sublingual B12 for months now, so the pale stool was something else to ponder. Recently, I’ve had a sore tongue and have been dizzy. I didn’t see how these symptoms could be related to my B12 status, but have now discovered from Dr. Google that they are all symptoms of low iron levels.
Should have said that the symptoms of low B12 and low iron can be very similar. Having both at the same time is a real drag!
Can anyone tell me how long it might take to go from 342 to 239? Is it possible to have your B12 drop dramatically over 2 months?
I started weekly shots about 6 weeks ago and then 3 weeks later was switched to bi-weekly. I get the shots on Friday. By the Monday/Tuesday of the week I am scheduled to get a shot, I am so cloudy, tired, can’t think. The doctor (who practices integrative medicine and is 100% on board with my treatment) thinks it is odd that I “respond so dramatically” to the shots. Any ideas?
Hi Moongirl,
Yes it is for all sorts of reasons. What it comes down to is you need to increase your input. The 5 star sublinguals will do you FAR better than weekly or less injections. Also some other items will help heal you thoroughly so you won’t suffer damage from this. If you were responding very strongly to 5 star methylb12, that is entirelu normal and expected. That anyone responds strongly to cyanocbl is a 1 in a million experience. It doesn’t last That is the problem with cyanocbl along with that it works very poorly compared to mb1w2 and adb12 of suitable quality.
Freddd,
I think it is great that you are doing all this work and spreading the word. I have to admit though that I get a little confused when I am reading your replies to others regarding all the other inefficiencies that can arise from treating the B12. I see you told someone that you are currently writing up instructions. I’d love to know when that is ready. I found the sublingual methyl-b you recommend at my local natural food store. I would like to start taking it after I get my levels re-drawn and after the doc tests me for intrinsic factor antibodies (this week.) I am also having my D retested as that was extremely low at 11. I am ready to beat this thing and get my life back.
Moon
Hi Freddd,
I am 38 and would describe myself as a healthy person until few months ago when my neck started bothering me. Went to neurologist who sent me to physical therapy which didnt help. In few weeks, I started feeling tingling in right arm and leg and face. They did MRI to rule out MS and fortunately it was negative. I was a vegetarian for years and had low B12 11 years ago when I did monthly b12 shots for 6 months. I just got b12 checked out and it was 362 and doc says its “in range” but all my symptoms are there which makes me feel its too low. I started liquid 1000mcg b12 of generic brand today but came across this and very hopeful that trying your suggested will help. I need to start with the following based on your article. I already take potassium supplement and slow releasing iron + multi-vitamin. Will any of these interfere with the basic remedy described below:
Jarrow Formulas, Methyl B-12, 5000 mcg
Enzymatic Therapy, B12 Infusion
Solgar, Folate Metafolin Folic Acid, 800 mcg
This forum has given me a ray of hope. Please answer so I can order it from iherb.com
Goofy_mom
Hi Goofy_mom,
It’s not quite that simple. Please be careful. Almost everybody who starts the mb12/adb12/methylfolate has a strong healing startup requiring normally in the range 2000mg-3000mg a day, in several doses. The potassium needs to be on hand at night as it can be quite impossible to stop screaming and get up off the floor if you have the muscle spasms as I do. This can happen for people with a measure level as high as 4.3, about mid-range on one of the usual ranges used. Also, the Metafolin needs to be titrated to need by paying attention to the folate insufficiency symptoms. All the usual vitamins and minerals are needed if healing isn’t going to grind to a halt over and over. Adneosylb12 (Source Naturals 10mg )should be titrated along with the mb12. Only the 5 star mb12 brands should be used.
You need to do something other than that time release iron. Is it prescription? What problems do you have causing you to take that? It can block b12 absorbtion and vitamin E absorbtion for 8-12 hours. Non-time release iron should be taken once a day and vitamin e at least 8-12 hours later. B12 will be sublingual so no problem. Vit B12 deficiency can cause enlarged red cells and hence anemia. Vit E deficiency can cause anemia through red cell fragility. Good luck. If you feel sick a few days after starting that is usually potassium and/or folate deficiencies. I generally advise ti titrate both the Jarrow Enzamatic therapy 1mg these days and start with 1/8 of that and 1/8 of the dibencozide for a few days and as long as the startup and brightening, which is normal, and titrate by an additional 1/8 of each. When healing startup occurs, hold level on that and get the potassium and metafolin blanaced out before continuing. I’m getting this whole process written up for this new titration method over the next few days.
Freddd,
My iron was low (11) in January and my PCP asked me to take supplement. As of last week it is up to 14 which is in range but I didnt want to stop taking it.
Recently i am feeling very tired and not able to sleep more than 4-5 hrs at night due to tingling and numbness in right hand and leg. I am starting to feel pain in lower back and stomach too which doesnt make sense to me. I strongly believe my b12 is low (362) and it may be causing bunch of neuro symptoms.
I will switch time released to non-time released iron and will add vit-E. Do you recommend particular potassium? I will start out with 1/8 Jarrow Enzamatic 1mg and 1/8 of the dibencozide. What about Folate Metafolin Folic Acid? I am not sure if I have folate deficiency. How can I find out?
Thank you, Freddd
Hi Goofy_mom,
I find the potassium gluconate to be comfortable on my stomach but not real quick compared to potassium chloride. Metaolin is almost always needed for the healing to switch on and when it does, need for potassium increase in 3 days typically. See the decision tree farther down the page I just posted. That will describe the folate insufficiency and deficiency symptoms. Often the potassium and folagte symptoms appear together and confuse everybody.
So does this mean people can use B12 as an argument against veganism and vegetarianism? 😉
Jasmine, Only if you are so inclined. If a vegetarian supplements with mb12, adb12, Metafolin, L-carnitine fumarate and maybe a few other amino acids and such then there is no harm. I was damaged by being a vegetarian for 20+ years by only having cyanocbl to supplement and that doesn’t srop b12 deficiency from developing. I also have paradoxical folate deficiency and the more vegetable folate I eat the worse my folate deficiency gets. I have to have methylfolate from meat without folininc acid (much of veggie folate) to live and be healthy. Being a vegetarian that did eat eggs, milk, cheese and occasional fish still almost killed me. Wthout those small soucres of b12 and folate helped keep me alive, barely.
hehehe I was only trying to be a little facetious. 😉
I recently tried veganism just to force myself to learn about other types of foods, but when I realised B12 is only present in animal products I decided to end my vegan phase. I consider myself pretty intelligent, yet I was completely unaware of the fact that B12 is only found in animal products. It concerns me that the majority of vegans and vegetarians may not know about B12 deficiency.
Everyone who argues against veganism and vegetarianism uses examples like iron, protein, calcium etc to convince people that we ‘need’ meat and milk to be healthy, but those arguments don’t work on intelligent vegans who know their nutrients and vitamins and minerals and the plant sources that supply them. But how often do people mention B12 deficiency?! I hadn’t heard of it until I came here.
Hi Jasmine,
As a vegan I am well aware of B12 deficiency and so are many others. Are you aware that just as many and maybe even more people who eat animal products are also deficient? I have been following this post for awhile and it seems more people who eat animal products post on here than vegans. So perhaps, mentioning B12 deficiencies to people who eat animal products should be a concern as well.
Hi Jinny,
Oh yea, for sure, non vegans and non vegetarians should also be made aware of B12 deficiency, without question. Non vegans and non vegetarians are just as important as vegans amd vegetarians and we should all get enough B12 🙂
I was only pointing out my concern because meat eaters and dairy consumers are less likely to be B12 deficient. Whereas vegans are pretty much guaranteed to be deficient unless they, like yourself, know about B12. I just consider it a bit alarming that I hadn’t heard of it until coming to this site. It might be my age, the country I’m from, or the schools I went to, but I had never heard of this before.
A colleague of mine is vegetarian for Religious reasons and was told by her doctor that she should have B12 injections, but my colleague doesn’t want to because she doesn’t trust that the injections are animal free. She believes the injections must be derived from animal sources. (I find it interesting that she won’t eat animal flesh of eggs or take B12 injections but consumes cows milk without any remorse for the cows who are mistreated to produce said milk – but anyway)
I tried to look it up online without much luck. Does anyone here know exactly what B12 injections are made from?
Mona, You have been given very poor information and very poor therapy. To reverse I have to do a whole lot more or it would have been considered “permanent damage”. Cyanocobalamin would have made it permanent and hopeless. There can be 100-1000x difference in effectiveness of different brands of mb12
Come on over to this other board and join and message me and we can discuss your situation personally and in detail. I inject 10mg of methylb12 3 times a day plus a load of other things to recover most function and keep it from advancing. I have a questionnaire for you to fill out if you are interested. You can do a lot better that what you are doing regardless of what they tell you. What country do you live in?
http://forums.phoenixrising.me/index.php?forums/detox-methylation-b12-glutathione-chelation.6/
Good luck.
So I see here a mention from Freddd of Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord. I was diagnosed in 2010 with SCD after a B12 deficiency diagnosis, with a level of 85, in 2009. My serum B12 has dropped from 464 in December to 375 in March. My next check will be in June. I get 1000 mcg cyanocobalamin shots every 3 weeks and take sublingual Methylcobalamin daily. Why are my numbers not higher?
I have been told my level is within the “normal range” and I should not be experiencing any symptoms so there has been doubt of the SCD diagnosis.
I have read up on SCD online but maybe someone has some that I haven’t read.
Any info is greatly appreciated!
What’s up with a high b12….what would cause that? I’ve not been able to get an answer for the reason for a high b12.
Thanks!
Elizabeth, High serum cobalamin in the absence of supplementation to explain it, is usually from liver damage of some sort causing cellular breakdown in the liver and releases the liver’s b12. It can also sometimes be caused by kidney damage. A 10mg injection of mb12 or hydroxycbl can be used as a test the kidney function. If you see darker urine towards orange if normally very yellow or towards pink or red if uncolored and watery without a lot of b-vitamins. If your liver and kidneys are good, there may be another cause but I don’t know what that would be. How high are we speaking? Some several percent of meat eaters statistically could have levels above 3000pg/ml. At above about 6000-12,000pg/ml the kidneys kick in substantially. Below that it is a much slower excretion by the liver. High b12 by itself isn’t anything to be concerned about. Mine is estimated to be about 200,000pg/ml which is what I need to keep Subacute Combined Degeneration from progressing and in remission, which makes for really expensive urine but does the job while in the body. The treatment for cyanide poisoning is multiple 35 grams (35,000,000 mcg) IV infusions until all cyanide is flushed from the body and makes for really lurid red urine.
According to the numbers you give, my level is not high, but it is flagged as high. I was not a huge meat eater at the time of the test…I have since added more snimal protein to my dist. The level was 1524 pg/mL.
Urine is light to clear.
Thx for the info!
Elizabeth, the terribly low “high” level is purely a statistical abstraction that is meaningless. It doesn’t predict lack of deficiency symptoms. It doesn’t predict lack of effectiveness of mb12/adb12. It merely says that 97.5% have a lower cobalamin level than you in a chronically b12 deficient population.
The normal serum test for B12 levels is inaccurate as it contains both active and inactive B12. Bacteria in the gut produce inactive B12 therefore raising B12 levels which gives a high reading. Anybody wanting to know their B12 status should request a specific test for active B12.
What is the specific active B12 test?
Just ask for an active B12 test.
Hi Ashly,
If the b12 is working well then you could have either or both of 2 induced deficiencies. Pick which group or groups you have nerw “feeling awful” symptoms. These are most likely but there are other possibilities.
Group 1 – Hypokalemia onset. Symptoms may appear with serum potassium as high as 4.3. May become dangerous if ignored. Considered “rare” with cyanocobalamin it is very common with methylb12 and adensosylb12 and less so with hydroxycobalamin..
IBS – Steady constipation , Nausea, Vomiting, Paralyzed Ileum, Hard knots of muscle, Sudden muscle spasms when relaxed, Sudden muscle spasms when stretching , Sudden muscle spasms when kneeling, Sudden muscle spasms when reaching , Sudden muscle spasms when turning upper body to side, Tightening of muscles, neck muscles, Muscle weakness, Abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias), Increased pulse rate, Increased blood pressure, Emotional changes and/or instability, dermal or sub-dermal Itching, and if not treated potentially paralysis and death.
Group 2a – Both
IBS – Diarrhea alternating with constipation, IBS – Normal alternating with constipation
Group 2b – Either or both
Headache, Increased malaise, Fatigue
Group 3 – Induced and/or Paradoxical Folate deficiency or insufficiency
IBS – Steady diarrhea, IBS – Diarrhea alternating with normal, Stomach ache, Uneasy digestive tract, increased hypersensitive responses , Skin rashes, Increased acne, Skin peeling around fingernails, Skin cracking and peeling at fingertips, Angular Cheilitis, Canker sores, Coated tongue, Runny nose, Increased allergies, Increased Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Increased asthma, Generalized inflammation in body, Increased Inflammation pain in muscles, Increased Inflammation pain in joints, Achy muscles, Flu like symptoms, Depression, Less sociable, Impaired planning and logic, Brain fog, Low energy, Light headedness, Sluggishness, Forgetfulness, Confusion, Difficulty walking, Behavioral disorders, Dementia, Reduced sense of taste, Increase irritability, Loss of reflexes, Fevers, Old symptoms returning, Heart palpitations, Bleeding easily.
Hi Fredd, i was reading this post and dont quiet understand it. I have also signed upto your other site but its stating i dont have sufficient privileges to post. I am in need of help/advise…i have suffered for over 10 years with depression,tiredness/exhaustion yet find it hard to sleep and wake at least every hour or so, pins & needles & numbness of both my feet/legs/hands and arms, constant diahorrea (i cant eat or drink a single thing without having to run to the toilet virtually straight after), stomach pains, bad headaches, aversion to light, lower back pain and neck pain, nose in ears, to name but a few symptoms and in 2003 i was diagnosed with re-occuring cysts on my ovaries,uterus & womb (which cause severe pain), in 2007 i had CIN 3 (borderline) cervical cancer and had a large amount of cervix cut away, in 2009/2010 my left pupil dilated massively and i had lost all deep tendon reflexes – i was diagnosed with holmes adies syndrome and in october i was diagnosed with B12 deff (my B12 was 133 and low folate), i was tested as my previouse mentioned symptoms was getting worse and i also started to forget things (memory fog) and bad pains in stomach and lower back, i was put on a course of B12 injections (1 a week for 10 weeks) on occassions i had 5 of cyanocobalamin to start of with then i had 5 of hydroxocobalamin, then a week after my last injection i had my bloods retested and B12 came back 884, my gp then said i could only have them every 3 months. i must add her that when i had my first injection i felt on a high the next day but the day after i went on a right downer, as i went on having the injections my symptoms started to ease until towards the 7th injection i could go a week with no pain and other symptoms lessened. But within just over 1.5 weeks of not having my b12 jabs all symptoms was back and seemed worse to the point i was up most nights crying and wishing i had never started them as then i wouldnt have known what it was like to feel pretty much normal again. i wrote to my gp begging him to re-instate my b12 jabs and listed my symptoms before b12 jabs and also what symptoms had improved during b12 jabs and what symptoms had come back since not having jabs. He agreed to give me one (which was a month later from my last one) and i felt pretty good for at least 2 weeks but they came back again. i asked if i could have them 2 weekly or at least monthly and if i could also be referred for the active B12 test that we have in the uk. He will not refer me for this test and agreed to give me another b12 jab a month from my last then wanted me to have another blood test after this one. I had the blood test and B12 came back 954. My intrinsic factor has been tested twice and is ok. He also sent me for a scan due to the pain in my stomach. The hospital did an external scan then asked if they could do an internal scan (vaginally) and i now have a tumour on my right ovary. My gp has now refered me to a gyneocologist and i am having my right ovary removed along with the tumor and also they are wanting me to have a full hysterctomy including taking my cervix away. I am now again back to b12 jabs every 3 months. can you please advise or help on this as i feel really bad. Also my sister (whom is 5 years older than me) has just been diagnosed with b12 of 33. My neice has also just been diagnosed with b12 of 158, we think my son may have it as he has all the symptoms for perniciouse aneamia but he is scared of needles and hard to get him to be tested. I also think my 5 year old little girl may have it as she is showing quiet a few symptoms (pins & needles in legs,feet and hands, headaches, aversion to light, very emotional, stomache pains and wakes up several nights a week crying with pains in her legs). I look forward to hearing from you. and thanks in advance Jacquie
Hi Jackie,
So I take it you registered and then clicked on my name to send a message. Instead you received the “no permission” response. You are not allowed to edit my profile. To message me you have to go to your inbox and start a private conversation. You can feel a lot better to the extent that b12 and cofactors are involved. If you are on a “chemo” drug that blocks folates, many do to stop cell reproduction, and that will make you sick. Make sure with your doc that it is ok to take METAFOLIN, (NOT FOLIC ACID) as a cofactor with b12 for helping your recovery.
I have a question I’m 23. A year ago I was diagnosed with anemia from b12 defiency. Worst feeling in the world. I was always exhausted and dizzy. My doc has me getting b12 injections every other week. I got better but for some reason I’m started to feel horrible is this possible? I still get my shots when I’m supposed too.
hey i also have the same problem,,my mcv is 106,,for how long you had to get these shots?
I was diagnosed with zero vitimin B12 in my body. I couldn’t stand, sit, walk, write, or type. I was in the hospital one week, two months of in-house physicial therapy, and two months of out patient therapy just in order to stand and walk a few steps with a walker or two canes. I progressed, and after six months, I didn’t need the wheelchair, but I still use a cane when I leave the house. By getting intensive B12 shots, most of my symptoms reversed, except I have tingling in my hands and my feet have lost their feeling for vibrations. They did a stomach biopsy and found I did not make an enzyme that converts protein to B12. I take B12 shots monthly now. Unfortunately, I wasn’t diagnosed until I was almost dead. Test your elderly parents today.
For over 5 years I have had very high ferritin – four digits at times. All the specialists said that I did not have hemochromotitis and did nothing. I have had three phlebotomies and each time it lowered the ferretin. It has now gone into the 700 range. A new doc, covering for my doctor’s maternity leave, had mega blood tests done and it showed my B12 deficiency rating as 225 and has put me on Vitamin B 12 pills. Are these two problems (ferritin & B12) connected?
Does B-12 have an impact on Parkinsons Disease? AND, can you give yourself the shots?
It may if there is concurrent B12 deficiency. Yes, you can give yourself the shots once a doctor shows you how. But sublingual B12, as Fredd has described, may be equivalent or superior to shots.
Nancy, I was about to post about the link to Parkinson’s I have found. Right at the top of this page Chris lists some of these associated diseases and I have been trying to pin down the “how” of the association. Parkinson’s is one of the diseases that has every appearance to be linked to one of the b12 deficiencies. There are 4 specific b12 deficiencies, CNS-adb12, CNS-mb12, BODY-adb12 and BODY-mb12. People with parkinson’s have the CNS-adb12 deficiency that appears to be further complicated with an l-carnitine-fumarate deficiency. Both of them combine to shut down the neural mitochondria in the brain and spinal cord.
Not everybody has all symptoms and the symptoms can range from very subtle to extreme. During the “pre-Parkinson’s” phase the mood characteristics show a great deal of anxiety as a base condition. Sudden emotional changes or storms, can look bipolar. Sudden rage, panic attacks etc all are very much worsened by adb12, mb12, LCF once the mutual dependencies are no longer blocking each other. Often “risk sports” or pseudo risk entertainments, roller coasters, bungee jumping, parachute jumping, fast boats, fast cars, fast anything are too much and too scary. OCD or elements of it may be present. These have to do typically with neural dopamine processing. These symptoms, as well as others including certain neuromuscular, may be present or caused or worsened by benzo usage, especially in those who are experiencing what is commonly called “tolerance withdrawal” which appears to be more a late or slow onset side effect. There are a lot more characteristics to really pin it down. However, those just clarify how it manifests. Low dopamine symptoms have to appear for Parkinson’s to be diagnosed. Recent research has shown that Parkinson’s has low CSF cobalamin, elevated CSF MMA and hypothesis that 20 years or more of damage from mal or non functioning neural mitochondria causes Parkinson’s and here we have damaged neurons from low adb12-LCF and the beginning of the emotional/personality characteristics often found in Parkinson’s (or some forms of Parkinson’s) from these damaged neurons.
Most of these neuro-psyc symptoms appear to be linked to limbic system damage. The hypothesis is that 20 years or more of neurological damage from non-functioning neuro-mitochondria with low CSF cobalamin and elevated CSF MMA (non-functioning mitochondria by virtue of CSF adenosylb12/l-carnitine-fumarate deficiency as indicated by elevated CSF MMA) which has these symptoms is Parkinson’s disease. Furthermore, Parkinson’s disease is associated with limbic system damage. I think that I have identified how Parkinson’s develops with a b12 deficiency. If the damagte type is the same as in Sub Acute Combined Degeneration ad MS, I would expect to find demyelination in the neurons of the limbic system in multiple areas producing multiple effects.
During the past month I have closely observed a person in this “pre-Parkinson’s syndrom” as she has titrated onto a variety of these substances. It’s taken a full month to reach stability but with what we learned that could probably come down to 3 weeks. Just taking an injection of mb12 could feel like it puts you in hell. When these damaged neurons start coming back they are highly irritable. People react with vastly increased fear and anxiety, all day full blown panic attack feeling, severe unprovoked anger, murderous rages. One can watch the effects apparantly progress through various parts of the limbic system (a part of the brain invloved with mood and personality) with various combinations of supplements. This hyper extreme reaction to adb12, mb12 and l-carnitine fumarate appears to be a sure sign of this damage. I don’t know how much of the damage can be reversed once it has progressed to Parkinson’s but if it is like my subacute combined degeneration mine was 90% reversed and is more or less held at bay from progressing. I was perhpas days away from a wheelchair and diaper before I started the reversal program and can now work safely on a roof whereas before I was tripping over my own toes and falling becasue I couldn’t tell where my legs were.
So, a person with Parkinson’s MAY be able to reduce a large part of the damage and stop or dramaitcally slow progression. It’s tricky. There is a lot of fear in the Parkinson’s community about many supplements becasue they casue such extreme reactions. It’s possible to start them in a specific order and with lower than you might ever imagine doses and titrate. In addition to all the usual b12 startup effects like dropping potassium and increasing Metafolin needs which have to be adjusted for when the healing starts, there are the mood and personality effects that are hugely overpowering as the mitochonddria start producing ATP. They can be managed. Sublinguals of the correct brands are far superior in this to injections becasue they can be managed very precisely.
You need to be working with a doctor to go through this but also be aware the doctors have no idea at all about how these things work. What you see here right now is at the bleeding edge of understanding of what is going on. It isn’t generally accepted by ANYBODY. It isn’t even being discussed yet. I made my first post on it yesterday. I’m a systems analyst in healthcare. I look for patterns in the data and ways to aid healthcare. I’m recovered from a decades of illnesses and 10 years of disability. I’m an outsider as far as the research community goes. Except for the very rare forward thinking healthcare provider most are not going to find these ideas agreeable because they are based on natural vitamins and supplements instead of drugs.
People who have stumbled upon these vitamins in the past in your shoes have had such powerfull reactions that they don’t continue doing what might heal them by correcting the most fundamental of deficiencies. The extremety of response indicates to me the extremity of deficiency as well as specifc neurological damage and malfunction. Based on 9 years of experience with the active b12 protocol, and my own experience in healing all 4 deficiencies plus the worst kind of paradoxical folate deficiency and how it affects people I would expect that you could quite possibly be 50-75% healed in a year. Further healing of these things likely can continue the rest of your life. I will be writing up the methodology over the next week. I feel cautiously optimistic that your life could be changed for the better but the first month can be very rough and you will need some supportive people to help you go through it. I don’t know of any way to turn on the neurons again without truning them on. They heal after they are turned on and in a damaged state they are typically most unpleasant when turned on. It’s also possible depending upon damaged areas that you may feel euphoria at the same time or in succession with these other things. Also, with the damaged neurons a lot of emotional processing hasn’t happened and it is all dammed up and breaks looose when the neurons turn on so one often has years worth of emotional distress all hitting at once. I’m not trying to scare you away but rather prepare you so you don’t get unpleasant surprises.
I am certain that much benefit can result for you but I don’t know how much damage will be reversed. I would put by best friend, spouse, child or whoever through it to heal them. I would also be there to hold their hand through the difficult emotional parts. I bet my life on it and I’m still alive and the healthiest I have ever been in my life. I hope the same for you.
Thank you so much on this information! I had been extremely worried when my doctors were told me I needed an appointment with my PCP immediately about this.I’m only 19. As a child I was in an out of the hospitals. We had discovered that I have Crohns disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogrens Disease an then I had just found out I had this. Not to be a negative Nancy but I thought three diseases were enough but now this. My first visit to my adult rheumotologist was deeply concerned about me being able to sleep an awful amount of hours an still exhausted, also I guess she had noticed that it was very hard for me to come up with words or I would just forget what we were saying. I have recently noticed that I can stare at once spot an just blank out. Has anyone had thisproblem? Personally, being a nursing student an still only a child this is very hard for me to grasp.Also has anyone heard of other methods than shots? I’m taking Humera (the worst injection in the world) and its making me want to never have an injection again! Thanks! 🙂
Mary, I am reading a book called, “Could It Be B12?” and it talks about how even Bipolar can be in some cases caused by B12 deficiency. The book is written by a nurse and her husband who is a doctor. Also, B12 does affect nerves. So I would get that book and read it and see if you can find a doc to test you before you start taking a vitamin supplement. Maybe her doc would test you? Good luck Mary. Be your own advocate and be strong in caring for your own health. I wish I had known about B12 when I was 15.
Hi my name is Mary I’m only 15, but my mother has suffered from sezures for 20 years hers started when she hit her head on a pole. We don’t know what type of sezures she has yet or what to give her but last November I had a sezure and since I have been having them (when there was 350 lbs. of pressure on my jaw). I’m going to try and keep this as short as possible i don’t want to waste your time, but we just found out that she is low on B 12. We believe that I may be too. Due to the fact that I have been diagnosed as bipolar for many years and ADHD and asthma ect. I have always been very independent so sezures scare me. Do you profesionaly think there could be any connection to her sezures and her deficiancy in B12? We are hopeing that if we find her solution we will find mine. There aren’t too many neurologists that take any intrest in dealing with kids.- thank you for your time
Mary, I am reading a book called, “Could It Be B12?” and it talks about how even Bipolar can be in some cases caused by B12 deficiency. The book is written by a nurse and her husband who is a doctor. Also, B12 does affect nerves. So I would get that book and read it and see if you can find a doc to test you before you start taking a vitamin supplement. Maybe her doc would test you? Good luck Mary. Be your own advocate and be strong in caring for your own health. I wish I had known about B12 when I was 15.
Hi Mary,
B12 deficiency can contribute to some of the symptoms you’ve mentioned, so it would definitely be a good idea to address it.
Hi Mary my levels have shown megaloblastic before but my neurologist didnt think it was the epilepsy drugs I take. I know tegretol can deplete your b12 and other epilepsy drugs. Your neuro should be reguly checking your b12 levels when blood tests are done to check your drug levels.
I felt better after about 3 of my loading doses of hydroxcobalamin (can’t get methyl in the UK) but it wore off after a few weeks. I can only have one injection per 12 weeks now. I have tried the sublingual NO SHOT methylcobalamin but not found it helped. From looking through my bloodwork my MCV was 99.7 HGB 12.3 and potassium 3.6. Not been restested since starting treatment.
Just want to feel well.
Annie, From experience and a 10 brand trial with 5 hypersesnitive testers, there are two brands of Methylb12 that work as well as injections if taken properly for that to happen. Brand and technique both matter. The brands are Jarrow 1mg and 5mg and Enzymatich Therapy 1mg. There are both most excellent but slightly different sublinguals. To get good absorbtion put under upper lip anywhere along the denatl arch against gum to absorb. These absorb at approximately 15-25% over 45-120 minutes. One brand was actually a complete zero. None of the other 7 brands was above about 1.5 stars on a scale to 5 stars. Both these brands are availabe in the UK and they can also be ordered from US retailors such as iherb possibloy for a savings compared to UK prices despite duty thy may collect.
Fredd,
What about Natural Factors Methyl B12 5000mcg? How many stars did you give to that one? I have been taking that one for more than 3 weeks, no changes so far. I can see you recommended numerous times Jarrow and Enzymatic Therapy, so I am wondering how much they can be better than the other brands.
Thanks,
Alex.
zlatibor5, The Natural Factors b12 5000mcg was unanamously 1.5 stars. It didn’t maintain gains on most symptoms. The fallback wasn’t as bad as the Source Naturals which was zero stars, on the way in 3 days an intoleravble after 7 days. The Natural factors mb12 was fallback in 5-7 days and intolerable fallback after 14 days. The Jarrow and ET were a good 100x better. Size didn’t matter in this comparison. Nobody could tell whether they had a 1mg or 5 mg. That only makes a diffence after near to equilibirium is reached with 1mg.
SInce I have talked about starting real b12s and active folate (metafolin) I should mention alll the alerts.
1- Can neutralize tetanus neurotoxin it makes for occult tetanus and very difficult to diagnose.
2 – It reverses Botox for about 24 hours per dose of mb12, also a clostridium neurotoxin.
3 – If CoQ10 is being taken when starting mb12 etc blood pressure can go sky high. This is only true during the early part of healing.
4) Potassium will drop like a rock for almost everybody for which methylation startup occurs and backlogged healing starts.
5) Need for Metafolin increases to 2400mcg or more, lots more if the person has paradoxical folate deficiency. Even a small dose of Metafolin can start more healing than the dose can maintain causing folate insufficiency symptoms.
Hi Chris (or should that Freddd – I am a tad confused)
I am 55 years old and have been having Neo – B12 (Hydroxocobalamin – as chloride) injections for about 12 years since I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia (intrinsic factor). I used to be a strongly built athlete. In recent years I have suffered a lot of soft tissue injury very easily and cannot find a practioner who knows what to do with me. I have been put in the too hard basket! Are there any tests you can recommend for me to get back on top of my soft tissue issues?
I can, and do, suffer from inexplicable bouts of tiredness. I can put down some bouts of tiredness to down to a neck injury.
I am now lactose intolerant so use a 600mg calcium supplement with 400IU Vitamin D once daily.
I suffer from urticaria so am unable to have anti-inflammatories, pain killers (bar paracetamol) and some anaesthetics. I was using ENDEP 10 (Amitriptyline Hydrochloride) as a nerve block but started to have heart palpitations. I recently ceased the ENDEP and the heart palpitations are getting more and more infrequent. My GP did not put me on anti-depressants because I was on the ENDEP. He did not support me going off the ENDEP even though he knew about the heart palpitations.
Since injuring my neck almost 15 years ago because of the tiredness and extreme head pain, I have not always eaten properly. I live by myself. Since being put off work recently, I am trying to turn that around.
I have recently been diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder with depression and anxiety. I need your help as I am not getting it here in Canberra.
Should I have had my folate levels checked? Any advice you can offer would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Lyn
Lyn, I’m just a passer-by who was being discussed so I decided to chime in too. Your entire problem that I can see with the limited info you gave is that you are severely b12 deficient. The problem comes down to “Neo – B12 (Hydroxocobalamin ” which is pseudo b12. I refuse to call hydroxcbl “b12” since it only has 1% the effectiveness of real b12 (mb12 and adb12). As “b12” it is almost worthless. It will keep MCV down usually but does little else. You could be essentially fully recovered in a year on the right program. To heal the damage you have you will need ALL the usual basic vitamins and minerals; a,b-complex, C, D, E, zinc, magnesium, omega3 oils and a 5 star mb12, adb12, Metafolin and when those startfull blown healing (3 days) probably 2000-3000mg of potassium and increased metafolin titrated to full effectiveness. Good luck. Remember REAL b12s, not pseudo b12 in the form of inactive cobalamins. Everybody can develop b12 deficiencies while taking hydroxcbl and/or cyanocbl.
Thanks Freddd – I have, today, found a GP who may be able to assist me so will take your information to them. I am wishing to turn my life around, & you may have just given me a starting point.
Regards
Lyn