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B-12 deficiency and anxiety?

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Posted 9/18/2013 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I just started b-12 shots because my MCV was high (red blood cells enlarged).

When I read that anxiety is a result of low b-12, I became hopeful that this will fix the anxiety that's not caused by emotions. I've given myself 3 shots so far and I suppose that's too soon to tell, but don't feel less anxiety yet.

Has anyone had any experience with this? 

Posted 9/18/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I have heard that B vitamin deficiency can be a contributing factor to anxiety, so I do take a B Complex vitamin. However, I can't honestly say one way or the other whether it has helped or not. I know that my anxiety meds have definitely helped me. As to things natural, there are two things that in my case I LITERALLY could tell a difference in my anxiety level: Magnesium (by way of the the powdered drink mix called "Natural Calm") and the amino acid TAURINE. Taurine was my favorite! It's cheap and worked for me almost immediately! I'm not saying I would ever stop taking my Paxil and buspar, but back when the Zoloft was "pooping out" and I was having a lot of severe breakthrough anxiety, I took 1000mg of the taurine and it seemed to start easing my nerves almost right away! I knew it was not a placebo effect b/c I didn't really think it was going to work. Since then, I've had friends and relatives take taurine that have been helped by it too. Now I keep it around "just in case"! :)
jl
Posted 9/18/2013 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I love the Natural Calm which I take before bed.

Think I'll try taurine too.

I've taken b-complex in coenyme form for years, but evidently wasn't enough b-complex or else my body isn't able to use it in pill form.
Posted 9/18/2013 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Korissa,

I have had slightly elevated MCV as well on my blood tests. My doctor however did a test for B12 deficiency and I did not have anemia.

Were you tested for your B levels...and is so, do you know if you are anemic, or why your MCV was high?

Since I was not considered anemic, I did not take B12, so I don't have an answer for you, sorry...but I am curious to know if you were tested for it, and if you know the reason for your MCV.

Thanks!

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2013 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I wasn't tested for B-12 because that test isn't accurate. I was actually rx it at my MDs office before blood tests were back because she suspected it. I have a little neuropathy that I wasn't aware of. My hemoglobin is ok. Then my blood test results came.

It's been 7 days of shots now and the level of my anxiety has gone down!!!! Horrible fatigue is still there, but that should improve.

I've read that if you test high MCV, it's taken 4-5 years for it to show up in a test. So this isn't going to improve overnight either.

I'm so thankful I went to an integrative MD who picked up on this.

I don't know if oral B-12 is sufficient if you're really depleted?
Posted 9/21/2013 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
S. C. you asked the reason. I'm not a vegetarian, but probably can't utilize b-12 from meat.
My mother had pernicious anemia and died from stomach cancer which is related. Stomach doesn't produce intrinsic factor.

I don't have PA and am much older than she was when she started her shots. But still, I'm wondering if it could be hereditary.

I've been gluten free for two years, so it can't be that. Celiacs are generally short of B-12.
Posted 9/21/2013 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the answers! A possible reason for my MCV may be 'Heel Strike Anemia' This happens from repetive stress injuries to the feet, for long distance runners, althetes and dancers. The high impact of the activity can actually destroy healthy red blood cells...which then have to manufactured anew, leaving the blood with an excess of immature cells (the big ones are the newer cells) and a deficit of the mature RBC's.

I have tried to back off of my activity. I still teach 13 or more dance classes a week..mostly on a hard wood floor...but I have cut out jogging on cement to try to reverse the issue.

I am really glad that your anxiety has improved! That is great news, and hope that you continue to do really well with your health and wellness.:)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.
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