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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zana on April 23, 2009, at 21:09:18
My pdoc had my B-12 checked and found me just below the level at which 5-10% of patients may experience "neuropsychiatric and hematologic abnormalities."
Is there any reliable source of supplimentation other than injection?
She also found me to be anemic and to have a low thyroid function - 78 where the normal range is 97-219. Looks like a visit to my PCP is in my future.Zana
Posted by Larry Hoover on April 23, 2009, at 22:11:05
In reply to B-12 Deficiency, posted by Zana on April 23, 2009, at 21:09:18
You can get oral B-12 supps nearly anywhere that are actually more effective than injections. I don't know why they still use the injections in North America. In Europe, medically indicated B-12 is given by mouth.
You should get a 1 mg B-12 supp. (That's 1,000 mcg.) Take one a day. That's all there is to it. Walmart has them at a decent price, but like I said, they're readily available.
Depression is a known consequence of B-12 deficiency, as is pernicious anemia. Permanent nerve damage can occur if this situation persists, so it's important to follow up on this test result.
Lar
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2009, at 0:26:00
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency » Zana, posted by Larry Hoover on April 23, 2009, at 22:11:05
But I don't get your thyroid levels as TSH norm now is l-2 above three too high. I'd list the others also but to tedious but free T4 somewhere around l.5 is normal. My free T3 is low at 2.5. So what do your numbers come from? Love Phillipa
Posted by Zana on April 24, 2009, at 11:34:03
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency, posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2009, at 0:26:00
Hi,
My T3 is 78: the reference range is 97-219ng/dL.
My B-12 is 398: the reference range is 200-1100.
My red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit are just out of range as is my potein and globulin.
I've got an appointment with a nurse practitioner at my PCP's office this afternoon.
I'll be curious to see what they recommend.Hope things are OK with you.
Zana
Posted by Zana on April 24, 2009, at 15:26:31
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency » Zana, posted by Larry Hoover on April 23, 2009, at 22:11:05
My PCP agreed with you Larry. 1000mcg B-12 plus a good B suppliment and a couple of good steaks a week. I'm a vegan so the deficiency is no mystery tho anemic is associated with seroquel.
Thanks again.
Zana
Posted by desolationrower on April 24, 2009, at 16:27:45
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency, posted by Zana on April 24, 2009, at 11:34:03
yeah. get teh methylcobalamin form. i have some lemon flavored ones and they're pretty tasty, really.
you know, i think you asked me specifically about dietary things, i might not have mentioned b12, just b-complex, which might take a few months to get levels to sufficietn. if so, sorry.
-d/r
Posted by Zana on April 24, 2009, at 17:30:06
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency, posted by desolationrower on April 24, 2009, at 16:27:45
I'll look for the lemon flavored ones.
ThanksZana
Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 24, 2009, at 17:38:17
In reply to B-12 Deficiency, posted by Zana on April 23, 2009, at 21:09:18
Wow, Zana! These test results are really coming up with some problems--but that's good, right, something treatable that could quite likely improve your mood?! I take a sublingual B12 but it doesn't seemed to have helped. I would take an injection if I were you--I have heard many happy stories of people feeling much better after receiving B12 injections.
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2009, at 20:37:07
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency, posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 24, 2009, at 17:38:17
I've just never heard of the values in those measurements. Didn't know you were a vegan. More protein are you able to eat eggs? As they are known as the best source of whole protein. Still are I guess. Love Phillipa first doses of bioidenticals last night and today. Love Phillipa
Posted by Ceres on April 29, 2009, at 4:27:16
In reply to B-12 Deficiency, posted by Zana on April 23, 2009, at 21:09:18
Zana, did your doctor seek a cause for your B-12 deficiency?
I had the same, but my GP said diet is seldom a factor in most of the "developed" world, even for those who don't eat animal products, as so many foods are fortified w/ B-12. But, I suppose that means bread, cereal & other pre-made items, which you might not eat.
My blood work, including iron & B's, had been fine w/o animal products for years.She suspected either a genetic issue where the gut does not absorb B-12 adequately, or that other meds were interfering w/ absorption.
My GP insisted on the injections, saying it'd up my level much faster than oral vitamins. A nurse gave the first 2 in the arm which were no big deal. I was to give myself the rest in the thigh, but was concerned I'd hit a vein & found the thigh an unsettling target, so procrastinated until the vials expired.
I've been doing the sublinguals, per my MD, who says they're better absorbed than tablets. --Just as well, as the tablets make me nauseous.Mushrooms & algae are veg sources of B-12, but won't fix a deficiency quickly. If you know of others, plz post.
*oh, B-12 tests some years back, might have been inaccurate. I think the old test just detected B-12 in the plasma?, but not what's actually stored --if that makes sense. My B-12 results 10 or so yrs ago were very high, so the more recent low was a surprise.
Posted by zana on April 29, 2009, at 11:32:13
In reply to Re: B-12 Deficiency, posted by Ceres on April 29, 2009, at 4:27:16
My doc recommended sub-lingual tablets. She didn't seem to think any of the blood work was any big deal. I thought it pointed to some potentially big contributions to my depression. So... I see my gyn in a month and she is usually much more aggressive about looking for and treating things like a vitamin D deficiency which she found. I have been a vegan for years but do not do a good job of food combining so I am not really surprised to find that I have some deficiencies. But it is good news in a way. There's something I can do to fix it.
Thanks for all your imput.
Zana
This is the end of the thread.
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