Newbie with B12 Deficiency - Anemia Message Board

Smokey · 09-11-2003, 11:53 AM

Hi everyone. Could I ask for some advice pls? The doc diagnosed a B12 deficiency (no anemia),told me to buy some suppliments and "you'll feel better soon". That was about it really so I'm just wondering how soon??? I certainly haven't noticed any improvement in the last week, still feel really crappy so I guess I'm just trying to cheer myself up

The other thing is that with the extensive reasearch I've tried to do on this, one of the symptoms is weight loss which I haven't experienced (sadly). The thing is, that up until last year I had lost 60 pounds but am unable to loose any more (and have put a bit back on even though following a healthy diet) so I'm concerned that when my appetite returns, I'll pile the weight on.
For anyone that's experinced a B12 deficiency, can you help at all???
Many thanks, Pat.

Jac · 09-11-2003, 08:31 PM

Hey Smokey
I'm no expert on this, as only newly diagnosed myself. I however, was under the impression that supplements were little help, and that injections are necessary! Do you know what has caused your deficiency? Are you a vegan? Also, do you know what your level was?

Perhaps it is worth going back to your doctor and asking about injections.

Sorry I'm not much help! Hopefully others on here will be able to shed more light.

Goodluck!

Smokey · 09-12-2003, 09:23 AM

Hi there. No I'm no vegan....not even vegetarian....like my meat too much

I have no idea what has caused this. I went to ask why I might have stopped loosing weight last year (after loosing 60 pounds) and why it was going back on when I wasn';t doing anything different. B12 was just one of the tests she asked for as initially I thought it was thyroid with all the other symptoms but TSH came back 'normal'. B12 came in at 103. I'm unsure just how long to persevere with this until I go back for a'no improvement' cosult.

PaNik5717 · 09-12-2003, 09:58 AM

I was originally diagnosed with full-blown anemia along with severe iron deficiency even though I am also a meat eater and consume a lot of non-meat iron sources, too. Since mine was anemia and iron deficiency, I'm not sure if what I learned will apply to you and I don't know anything about the weight aspect.

What I do know is that it takes about four to six weeks for the body to start absorbing any kind of iron supplement (oral or IV) and converting it to blood. At my very low level I was told that it would take several months to start feeling better and a full year of supplements to level off.

I really don't know if it is the same with B-12, but you may just have to be patient longer.

Jac · 09-14-2003, 07:46 PM

Hi Smokey,
The reason I asked if you are a vegan or vegetarian is because that is really the only diet reason why someone is vitamin b-12 deficient. Other than that, you may have pernicious anemia. This is where you are missing or you "kill" the intrinsic factor which is made in your stomache and binds itself to the b-12. Without this, the b-12 cannot be absorbed in your gut. I also think there are "gut issues" that can stop the absorbtion of B-12.

Thus, as far as I am aware it is unlikely that you will absorb b-12 through tablets, and you will probably need injections.

I would go back to your doctor and talk to them about why you may have this deficiency. They should be able to run a test to tell you if you are missing the intrinsic factor.

I don't know anything about the weight issues though I'm sorry. BUt it may be related. Perhaps change doctors and talk to them??

Goodluck!