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Posted 3/15/2023 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
On my recent blood panel my B12 came back undetectable. 150 < B12. Reference range = 232 - 1245.

I'm asking if any members have improved their B12 levels by taking a B12 supplement? I wonder if taking a vitamin B12 complex supplement would be better than taking B12 alone?

Thanks
Posted 3/15/2023 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
My B12 was on the low end and my Doc suggested adding some. I did (5000mcg) and last bloodwork showed >1500. So I stopped for awhile. Will start up with 2500mcg.
Posted 3/15/2023 3:21 PM (GMT 0)

mattam said...
On my recent blood panel my B12 came back undetectable. 150 < B12. Reference range = 232 - 1245.


Do you have any symptoms of it? I know it can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which I have an appointment with my PCP to talk about in my future.
Posted 3/15/2023 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
@ GoBucks, I was thinking that when my provider sees the result he may have me do B12 shots. It's good to know that a B12 supplement may be able to move the needle.

@ dude, I have many of the Google symptoms listed, but a lot of it may be ADT. It would be nice if getting B12 into the normal range helped with brain fog, fatigue, and depression -- but I'm not holding my breath. Nevertheless, B12 seems to be very important for all things related to the nervous system, and can have serious long term consequences if not brought to proper levels.

I'm taking the issue seriously.
Posted 3/15/2023 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Mattam, did your blood test reveal anything as to why your B-12 is low? Damage to the stomach lining or gut can prevent the process of B-12 absorbtion. If you have poor absorbtion, oral supplements will simply pass through the digestive system unused. Pernicious anemia is an indicator of poor B-12 absorbtion. There are others. B-12 works together with B-9 (folate or folic acid) Was your B-9 also low? My B-12 level got to 89. I had no energy and serious problems with my balance. I have had monthly injections of B-12 for years. 1000 mg Cyanocobalamin each month. B-12 is an extremely important vitamin for many bodily functions. Don't let it stay too low for too long. Some damage from low B-12 is irreversable.
Posted 3/15/2023 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Rockin,
This is all new for me and the blood cell count was normal. Everything you wrote about are the things I'm reading about. I'm especially concerned that a supplement won't be good enough for the reasons you stated. I go for walks every day, and my balance has been a little off for quite some time, but it's really off going down the stairs. Even using the rails it seems like I'm going to fall unless I pay very close attention. I figured it's ADT, but who knows.

So yes, I'm taking it seriously. If my provider doesn't contact me by Monday, I will contact him. The last time I waited for a provider get back to me was for my first PSA. It took them two months to tell me it came back at 20.8.šŸ˜

Thanks for your input.
Posted 3/15/2023 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
PS, folate came back in normal range.
Posted 3/15/2023 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Your symptoms could be caused by a combination of low B12 and ADT. Again, if your digestive system can't absorb the B12, taking all the supplements in the world will do nothing to help. There's also liquid B12 supplements you place under your tongue (sublingual) that absorb that way. If the stomach can't produce something called Intrinsic Factor, the gut can't absorb B12. Also, diminished B12 absorption is just another common casualty of the aging process. I would strongly suggest B12 injections. Ask your doctor. One really can't take too much B12 unless it were an extreme amount. It's a water soluble vitamin meaning the body only takes what it needs and the rest is passed through urine.
Posted 3/15/2023 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Rockin,
I appreciate your knowledge. I'm already weary researching this. My cursory googling seems to indicate that the prescription sublingual pills may be as effective as the shots. That seems doubtful to me, but maybe it would be good enough and more convenient than shots. I made an appointment with my PCP for next week, so I'll see what he thinks.

Thanks again.
Posted 3/15/2023 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking 1000 mg. B12 sublingually for several years now, because I am on a plant based diet. Because I don't eat meat, I don't get enough B12 through the foods I eat. I'm scheduled for a physical tomorrow morning, so my PCP had me do my blood work done 2 weeks ago. My B12 came back in the normal range. The 3 areas that were slightly low though were: Absolute Lymphocyte Count and Lymph Auto. While my Mono Auto was slightly high. I'll be processing these results with my PCP tomorrow morning.
Posted 3/16/2023 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Vegetarians/Vegans need to be aware of the need to supplement with B12. Our bodies don't produce it and plants don't have it. People who have gastric bypass surgery also need to supplement as the surgery decreases the ability to absorb B12.Cyanocobalamin is the most common in supplements and fortified foods as it is synthetic and cheap.
Posted 3/16/2023 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Mattam, sorry to hear about the vitamin B12 deficiency. You said you have done a lot of research. If you havenā€™t checked out the Mayo Clinic site under, Vitamin Deficiency Anemia, it is a good reference. It sure sounds like something you need to jump on immediately. It sure does mimic ADT in some ways. My best wishes.
Jack
Posted 3/16/2023 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jack,
As usual, Mayo's site is a good source of information.
Posted 3/16/2023 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Also Jack,
As far as the symptom overlap. This recent blood panel is the first time the B12 has been measured, so I have no comparison. I will say the first two years on ADT wasn't a big deal for me. The last two years I've pretty much felt like crap. I have just assumed the longer you're on ADT the worse it gets. Maybe the low B12 has made things a lot worse.

I'm not expecting miracles, but it's something I need to take care of, so that's what I'm doing.
Posted 3/16/2023 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Mattam, maybe it is time for a change in ADT. I donā€™t know if it is doable for you to change, but Orgovyx might help. I have never had brain fog or lack of complete energy. I know if it is not broken donā€™t fix it, but it sure seems like you are going through a lot of SEs right now. I would work on the vitamin deficiency first and see if you gain back what you have lost. If not, maybe a short vacation off ADT or change would help. Keep on fighting until you find what will help.
OT, my shoulder surgery was rescheduled to today. Typing with my left hand might be hill too high to climb going forward, as I am not that proficient with my right hand to begin with. LOL. I truly hope things turn around soon for you and as always, my best wishes.
Jack
Edit: Our trainer in college had B12 shots available if we wanted. I only had two or three in my four years, but it sure did increase stamina and boost energy for a short time. However, we ate like pigs with lots of carbs and red meat to begin with and we were young. So, I already had enough energy to play all day and party all night. Oh, to be in a young manā€™s body again.
Posted 3/16/2023 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Jack,
I hope the surgery goes well today. šŸ‘

Shouldn't you be at the hospital by now? šŸ˜
Posted 3/16/2023 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
2:00 pm surgery time. The shot in my lower neck to numb my arm for 12 to 24 hours, sounds like fun. Are you sure you donā€™t want to go for me? LOL. Iā€™ll check back in a few days. My best wishes to all.
Jack
Posted 3/19/2023 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
As an added note, I looked at all my blood panels from my quarterly blood draws. My RBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit numbers were all in upper normal range until 3 years ago, then the numbers suddenly were almost always out of range on the low side. These results seem to line up with the "undetectable" B12.
Unfortunately, my MO didn't include B12 or folate on my panels.
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