Re:Re: niece low in B-12 OT

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with a B12 deficiency a few years ago (not just low -- very, very low!) and was told I had to try using a B12 supplement first before my doctor would authorize injections. I did so for 2 months, taking as much B12 as my immune system would tolerate, but my B12 levels didn't change; actually they dropped a few more points. So I was put on B12 injections, and now I give myself a shot every 3 weeks. I'm tested once a year now and, after 2 years, my levels are finally up to the lower end of normal (as long as I'm tested within 2 weeks of giving myself a shot).

I recommend B12 shots. The B12 shots make a huge difference in how my body operates. Once your body stops absorbing B12 it's very unlikely it can start up again, so injections are necessary to maintain at least a minimal level. This condition is called pernicious anemia. I can't donate blood anymore, which is an interesting side-effect to having this condition.

If your niece is on SCD then she will need to be careful of the sublingual or nasal B12, to ensure there are no illegal ingredients. I couldn't find one that was SCD-legal. Bcomplex won't provide a high enough dose of B12, so your niece will need to go for a supplement just containing B12, in as high a dose as her body will tolerate. My doctor (neurologist) recommended I try 1000 mg per day, but my immune system started reacting to anything higher than a 100 mg dose so I never got above that level. But I was able to easily find a SCD-legal form of B12 in tablet, even though it didn't help in my case.

If your niece's doctor didn't immediately order a shot of B12, then her levels must not be too bad. My neurologist took one look at the test results of my B12 levels, left the exam room, and came back with a nurse and a needle full of B12 serum! Same thing happened 2 months later after I'd been trying to use the B12 tablets with no success. My PCP now keeps me supplied with B12, as my neurologist sends him the results from my annual B12 tests.

Kim M.

SCD 5 years

>>>>>>>>>>>>

my 21 year old niece just showed low in B-12 so I told her this would be the place I could trust to get her some good info - thought I heard it has to be taken in a complex to work??? is under the tongue best?? or up the nose??? anyone have experience - injections are last resort doc saidthanks eileen

[Guest guest]

thanks KIm -will pass on the info -I don't think she's TOO low

eileen

>

> I was diagnosed with a B12 deficiency a few years ago (not just

low -- very, very low!) and was told I had to try using a B12

supplement first before my doctor would authorize injections. I did

so for 2 months, taking as much B12 as my immune system would

tolerate, but my B12 levels didn't change; actually they dropped a

few more points. So I was put on B12 injections, and now I give

myself a shot every 3 weeks. I'm tested once a year now and, after 2

years, my levels are finally up to the lower end of normal (as long

as I'm tested within 2 weeks of giving myself a shot).

>

> I recommend B12 shots. The B12 shots make a huge difference in how

my body operates. Once your body stops absorbing B12 it's very

unlikely it can start up again, so injections are necessary to

maintain at least a minimal level. This condition is called

pernicious anemia. I can't donate blood anymore, which is an

interesting side-effect to having this condition.

>

> If your niece is on SCD then she will need to be careful of the

sublingual or nasal B12, to ensure there are no illegal ingredients.

I couldn't find one that was SCD-legal. Bcomplex won't provide a

high enough dose of B12, so your niece will need to go for a

supplement just containing B12, in as high a dose as her body will

tolerate. My doctor (neurologist) recommended I try 1000 mg per day,

but my immune system started reacting to anything higher than a 100

mg dose so I never got above that level. But I was able to easily

find a SCD-legal form of B12 in tablet, even though it didn't help in

my case.

>

> If your niece's doctor didn't immediately order a shot of B12, then

her levels must not be too bad. My neurologist took one look at the

test results of my B12 levels, left the exam room, and came back with

a nurse and a needle full of B12 serum! Same thing happened 2 months

later after I'd been trying to use the B12 tablets with no success.

My PCP now keeps me supplied with B12, as my neurologist sends him

the results from my annual B12 tests.

>

> Kim M.

> SCD 5 years

>

> >>>>>>>>>>>>

> my 21 year old niece just showed low in B-12 so I told her this

would

> be the place I could trust to get her some good info - thought I

heard

> it has to be taken in a complex to work??? is under the tongue

best??

> or up the nose??? anyone have experience - injections are last

resort

> doc said

> thanks eileen

>