B-12 deficiency - Neuropathy Message Board

Dusty · 03-29-2001, 02:59 PM

My B-12 is at 356, normal levels are 200 to 1100. My podiatrist said the neuropathy in my feet may be do to low levels of B-12 even though they are within the norm. If taking B-12 does not help me, he said then it is time to consult a neurologist.
Has anyone else had a similiar experience? I would very much like to hear about causes of neuropathy and what course of action was taken.

Jen457 · 06-25-2005, 12:08 PM

I had numbness in my right foot and they finally told me it was a B-12 deficiency. My numbers the first time was 200 and 175 the second. They have tested for this at least 3 times in the last 5 years so that part is kind of frustrating. I did the shots but started having problems with cramping in my right foot and left hand a day or two after the shots. Not sure what to do.

litersk · 07-06-2005, 05:02 AM

I am 55 years old and have suffered from numbness and tingling for about 3 years in my feet and half way up my calf. I talked myself into thinking I had a neuroma but then the pain started and I could hardly walk. I went to a podiatrist and he gave me cortizone shots in both feet -said it wasn't a neuroma but didn't do anything to find out the cause. He wanted to give me Neurontin but I wanted to find a cause. So my family doctor put me through a lot of tests and said the only thing that came back unusual was that my B-12 was 403 and that was kind of on the low side. When I told her my mother and sister had Pernicious Anemia she did the Intrinsic Factor test for that. It came back positive so I didn't need further testing. She started me on B-12 injections (I had to go every day for a week and then once a month). I also had an EMG to confirm neuropathy. I am also on 300 mg Neurontin (generic form) twice a day and it's helped a lot. One thing that upsets me reading this thread is that some doctors do not think of a B-12 deficiency if you are in the "normal" range which is 200-1100. You can have a normal B-12 level and still have a deficiency. Thank goodness my doctor was on her toes. She said it isn't the first thing they think of. After reading about Pernicious Anemia and the damage it can do makes me want to kick myself for not taking it more seriously. We all thought Mom's condition was no big deal. Well I'm paying for that now. Keep at your doctor for further testing. I'm also taking sublingal methylcobalamin b-12 daily although they say they aren't sure how much I'm absorbing. My b-12 level is now at 1488 and I feel so much better. Still have the numbness and tingling but the Neurontin is helping with that!!! I also take Foltx which is B-12, B-6 and folic acid. It's a perscription.
litersk