B12 deficiency

[disfan07]

Does anyone else here have a B12 deficiency? Do you know what has caused yours? What supplement do you take and how much?

We discovered in May of 2010 that my B12 was low. I did about 5 weeks of injections and then went on supplements. I've been taking supplements for about the past 16 months. I had my levels checked by my internist this past June and they were fine. I just had them checked yesterday and they are low again so I am going back for another 4 weeks of injections.

We have no idea WHY this is happening. Especially since with the supplements, I was fine for about a year and suddenly its dropped again.

The first thought they had was maybe celiac disease but I had both the blood test and biopsy and both came back negative. So now they are investigating other causes

It is the only vitamin/nutrient that I am deficient in so there are no leads in that area either.

 

[Christine]

How old are you?

It is natural for some people to lose their ability to process B12 as they age. My coworker has this (she around 50).

Also, do you take any type of GERD medications. They can also cause this.

 

[golfgal]

Do you have any other health issues?

My B12 levels are fine, just had them tested but I did start taking a B12 every day. I took one for a while several months ago and noticed my hair, skin and nails were so much better. I stopped because I wanted to see what my levels were without and they are normal but I started taking one again so my hair, skin and nails get stronger again .

 

[disfan07]

How old are you?

It is natural for some people to lose their ability to process B12 as they age. My coworker has this (she around 50).

Also, do you take any type of GERD medications. They can also cause this.

I am only 22. I was originally diagnosed a couple of months before my 21st birthday.

I also have asthma (diagnosed in 2005), eczema (diagnosed in 2005), edometriosis (diagnosed in 2010), PCOS (diagnosed in 2003), allergies (food, environmental, chemical), and Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (diagnosed in 2007)

My medical history is very extensive and complicated

 

[Christine]

I am only 22. I was originally diagnosed a couple of months before my 21st birthday.

I also have asthma (diagnosed in 2005), eczema (diagnosed in 2005), edometriosis (diagnosed in 2010), PCOS (diagnosed in 2003), allergies (food, environmental, chemical), and Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (diagnosed in 2007)

My medical history is very extensive and complicated

You are definitely medically interesting!

The funny thing is, the woman I work with (who is definitely much older than you) has developed many similar health issues over the last 5 years. It's quite similar to yours.

In the last 5 years she's had notable reduced lung function (but no asthma diagnosed), she has a strange form of psoriasis that they are not really sure is psoriasis, she had to have a hysterectomy, developed a severe food allergy that required an ER visit, and has cardiac issues. Then the B12 kicked in. She also has many digestive issues including diverticulitis.

 

[golfgal]

Malabsorption is a common symptom of cystic fibrosis. With your history of asthma and other issues, it might be worth looking into. More and more adults are being diagnosed with atypical CF. The allergies and skin conditions are also common in CF.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I am B12 deficient because of Celiac Disease (gluten and dairy free).

I started with nasal spray once a week but that did nothing to raise my levels so now I am on injections once a month. I give myself the injection.

I need to go get my levels checked again. I can tell when my B12 is getting low because I get certain symptoms toward the end of the month when I need to take the shot. The possibility has come up to do a shot once a week.

Are you dairy free (I know you said you had food allergies)? B12 deficiency is common among those without dairy.

 

[skuttle]

I'm on metformin for insulin resistance and I have to take B12 supplements because of the metformin.

 

[disfan07]

I am B12 deficient because of Celiac Disease (gluten and dairy free).

I started with nasal spray once a week but that did nothing to raise my levels so now I am on injections once a month. I give myself the injection.

I need to go get my levels checked again. I can tell when my B12 is getting low because I get certain symptoms toward the end of the month when I need to take the shot. The possibility has come up to do a shot once a week.

Are you dairy free (I know you said you had food allergies)? B12 deficiency is common among those without dairy.

I am not completely dairy free. I am lactose intolerant and I take lactaid but I still limit my dairy consumption. actually, the main reason that I limit my dairy consumption is because I just really don't like the taste of milk or yogurt as well as some cheese.

I am on Methotrexate for eczema which can cause a folic acid deficiency but I am not deficient in folic acid. I seem to be absorbing those supplements fine. It's just the B12.

Golfgal- I'll have to ask about CF when my physicians get together on rounds in a couple of weeks.

I have repeated infections (sinus and respiratory). My bronchoscopy showed a staph infection in my lungs a couple of years ago. I also have a chronic cough and wheezing. Severe asthma. GI problems (that have no cause right now) and I have lost a lot of weight over the past year.

I was basically healthy until I was 15. I had mild seasonal allergies (not uncommon with where I lived) and mild exercise induced asthma. Once I hit about 14/15 everything just started to happen.

 

[golfgal]

I am not completely dairy free. I am lactose intolerant and I take lactaid but I still limit my dairy consumption. actually, the main reason that I limit my dairy consumption is because I just really don't like the taste of milk or yogurt as well as some cheese.

I am on Methotrexate for eczema which can cause a folic acid deficiency but I am not deficient in folic acid. I seem to be absorbing those supplements fine. It's just the B12.

Golfgal- I'll have to ask about CF when my physicians get together on rounds in a couple of weeks.

I have repeated infections (sinus and respiratory). My bronchoscopy showed a staph infection in my lungs a couple of years ago. I also have a chronic cough and wheezing. Severe asthma. GI problems (that have no cause right now) and I have lost a lot of weight over the past year.

I was basically healthy until I was 15. I had mild seasonal allergies (not uncommon with where I lived) and mild exercise induced asthma. Once I hit about 14/15 everything just started to happen.

Do a google search on atypical cystic fibrosis or delayed diagnosis/onset cystic fibrosis---I think you might be very interested in the findings. We are bringing our 16 year old in on Tuesday for testing. She doesn't have as severe of symptoms as you sound like you have but she has nasal polyps, majorly thickened sinuses and a history of asthma and bronchitis.

Are you Irish or of Northern European descent?

 

[disfan07]

Do a google search on atypical cystic fibrosis or delayed diagnosis/onset cystic fibrosis---I think you might be very interested in the findings. We are bringing our 16 year old in on Tuesday for testing. She doesn't have as severe of symptoms as you sound like you have but she has nasal polyps, majorly thickened sinuses and a history of asthma and bronchitis.

Are you Irish or of Northern European descent?

I am not Irish. I am Italian, Spanish, Austrian, Hungarian, Polish and Turkish....we just say I'm a mutt...haha

In about 3 weeks (I think???) most of my doctors (internist, pulmonary, cardiology, allergy/immunology, GI, neuro) and I are supposed to be getting together to discuss my case so we'll see what happens at that meeting.

 

[mommasita]

I have pernicious anemia and my body rejects the supplements. I originally was on a monthly injection, and my levels were still EXTREMELY LOW. I see many different doctors, and not one every told me why.

I now self inject every second week. I have no idea why, but I know we share a lot of other health issues and some very similar brain surgeries.

My body really knows it is time for the injections. I would say 24 to 48 hours later I start to feel the benefits.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I have pernicious anemia and my body rejects the supplements. I originally was on a monthly injection, and my levels were still EXTREMELY LOW. I see many different doctors, and not one every told me why.

I now self inject every second week. I have no idea why, but I know we share a lot of other health issues and some very similar brain surgeries.

My body really knows it is time for the injections. I would say 24 to 48 hours later I start to feel the benefits.

My body reacts the same way. It definitely knows. About a week before my next injection, I start getting severe tingling in my feet and start feeling the symptoms of B12 deficiency.