Oral B12 - Anemia Message Board

Smokey · 10-31-2003, 12:52 PM

Does anyone know how long the body takes to restore its B12 levels? I realise each person is different but I'm trying to guage how long it might be before I start to feel any better. I've done an awful lot of internetting but cant seem to find any reference on this -an anyone help???

NancyH · 11-03-2003, 05:05 PM

It's hard to gauge it if you don't have a basis to go by. If you are just low (how low?)taking a daily supplement will do. If you lack the intrinsic factor you must take B12 sublingual along with the injections. I have pernicious anemia and it took nearly 3 yrs of weekly injections to get tissue saturation, about a year before I felt ok but some of the nerve damage was irreversible. My level was 96! It depends on alot of other things in order to determine how long it may take to feel ok and then again it isn't like you are going to feel euphoric or anything, you may not notice except the fatigue will deminish.

Smokey · 11-04-2003, 10:00 AM

NancyH, thanks for the post. I'm 103 low. The Doc hasn't told me why its happened she's just mentioned she thinks its stress related IBS but personally I'm not convinced as I'm not stressed and don;t have anymore symptoms of IBS other than a bit a D now and again (and only since I arrived in Canada in April) Last time was three days before I visited the doc two months ago. I don;t know if I have IF or not but definately don't have PA. All I got from the doc was a pat on the head and 'take some vitamins it'lll clear up' (notice no time frame here) As I feel like I'm walking in treacle quite often, I didn't think quick enough to ask any further hence the questions and serious internetting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by NancyH

It's hard to gauge it if you don't have a basis to go by. If you are just low (how low?)taking a daily supplement will do. If you lack the intrinsic factor you must take B12 sublingual along with the injections. I have pernicious anemia and it took nearly 3 yrs of weekly injections to get tissue saturation, about a year before I felt ok but some of the nerve damage was irreversible. My level was 96! It depends on alot of other things in order to determine how long it may take to feel ok and then again it isn't like you are going to feel euphoric or anything, you may not notice except the fatigue will deminish.

LF105 · 11-04-2003, 10:39 AM

I feel your pain - i have taken every test imaginable to determine the cause of my low b12. Last month my b12 was at 74. I have had daily, weekly and monthly shots, with not much improvement. My new doctor has me taking 1000 mcg a day of oral b12. My old doctor said i would have to take oral supplements for the rest of my life. This new doctor is having my blood tested every six weeks to see if the oral b12 is helping matters. I'll let you know next month if the supplements have increased my levels at all since i just started taking them. Regardless nothing seems to improve my energy level - shots or supplements. When my b12 is low, there isn't anything that can instaneously give me a boost! The only thing i find that helps is to eat a well balanced diet - junk food makes me feel worse. And nap if you are tired... i just get grumpier and even more tired if i don't nap when i know i must! How long have you been taking the supplements? if its been a while, why don't you request your b12 count be tested again? No use continuing on with the daily supplements if they aren't doing anything. Good luck!

Smokey · 11-04-2003, 02:09 PM

Hi there, thanks for the post. I wish I could say the same but having only had the one test I feel a bit like I'm just hanging in the wind. I absolutely hate the idea of going to the doc's anyway so I can't even make my mind up as to wether to change doc's or not. The worse thing is that as I can't make my mind up, I post on the internet a lot but for some reason can't seem to elicit any replies EXCEPT for in here so a big THANK YOU to everyone who's replied now and in the past. Gee I feel reaaaaally pathetic...I'll make an appointment when it stops snowing.

Please, please do let me know how you get on and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Pat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LF105

I feel your pain - i have taken every test imaginable to determine the cause of my low b12. Last month my b12 was at 74. I have had daily, weekly and monthly shots, with not much improvement. My new doctor has me taking 1000 mcg a day of oral b12. My old doctor said i would have to take oral supplements for the rest of my life. This new doctor is having my blood tested every six weeks to see if the oral b12 is helping matters. I'll let you know next month if the supplements have increased my levels at all since i just started taking them. Regardless nothing seems to improve my energy level - shots or supplements. When my b12 is low, there isn't anything that can instaneously give me a boost! The only thing i find that helps is to eat a well balanced diet - junk food makes me feel worse. And nap if you are tired... i just get grumpier and even more tired if i don't nap when i know i must! How long have you been taking the supplements? if its been a while, why don't you request your b12 count be tested again? No use continuing on with the daily supplements if they aren't doing anything. Good luck!