Vit b12 deficiency and unsteadiness

Hi

I was diagnosed with vit b12 deficiency and my levels were 76.

My symptoms are

internal tremors

Jelly legs arms over all body weakness

Confusion

Unsteadiness,very difficulty in walking

Muscle weakness

Muscle twitches

Chest pains

Palpitations

I was given alternative day shots of vit b12 for 1and half months then my levels were above 2000 doc asked me to continue with monthly injections for life time.

But I see no improvements.

Internal shaking has reduced considerably but I am off balance all the time. Very tired and confused.

How long will it take for the recovery.

Reply unsteadiness.

Plz help.

Sry it's esply unsteadiness.

hi how is your folate level as it has to be at a good level for b12 work, plus has your vit d been checked

Folate levels were not checked. Vit D was 15. So I am taking d rise once a week.

what dose of vit d are you taking as your level was really low, plus try and get your folate checked as you prob need to be taking folic acid when on b12 injectins , are you in the uk 

No I am from India. And I take 60,000(sry for not knowing the units) powder that the doctor has prescribed me.

sounds like you are doing everything right maybe get your folate checked

OK. Thanks a lot.

Do u have any idea as to what is the recovery time. I feel dizzy all the time.

it took me a few months to get my vit d levels up, b12 can take a while to repair but you really need to be taking folate with b12 

OK thanks

Hi

It can take weeks or months for improvement to show.  If you have been seriously low for a long time it will take a while for your organs to recover.  Keep going with the shots don’t worry about the high levels, any excess is is harmless and is just excreted in your urine.  Be thankfull you have been offered this for life...it may have saved your life.  Many people battle for these injections for years.

Good luck xx

Hi Manasa, sadly there is no quick answer to "how long will it take for the recovery" as a lot will depend upon how long you were B12 Deficient and the amount of damage done to your nervous system in the first place.

It is not uncommon even for symptoms to appear to get worse before the get better as the B12 starts to repair the damage.

It is still "early days" and the injections are not an overnight magic cure.

It seems your doctor has read the BNF Guidelines in giving you alternate day injections but they go on to say "patients presenting with neurological symptoms should receive 1000 μg i.m. on alternative days until there is no further improvement".

I am not a medically qualified person but I think your doctor is wrong not continuing your injections simply because they level was 2000 as you cannot "overdose" on B12, any excess being excreted in the urine.

What is vitally important is your Folate level as this is essential to process the B12 you are having injected.  Did your doctor prescribe or suggest you take folic acid? If not I suggest you ask for your serum Folate to be tested as without supplementation it may be too low.

I would be interested to know why you became B12 Deficient and there is a great long list of "people who are at risk" which I will put up in a separate reply.

Hi

My levels are above 2000 now should I continue taking injection every alternative day. Till the symptoms improve?

Hi

I am a pure vegan and I was PPI for long time.

I am just worried about being so unsteady all the time. Hope it's a reversble damage of b12deficency.

my gp started me on acid flux meds last week, but i found out they deplete b12 and cause osteoporis going back next week to see if i can get a alternatvie x

Here is the list I mentioned.  Can you "see yourself" among any of the people mentioned below?

"Who’s at greatest risk for B12 Deficiency?

Anyone at any age, can become B12 deficient. Thus you need to be tested immediately if you develop the symptoms described  in this chapter. However, certain people are at an elevated risk. They include the following:

Vegetarians, vegans and people eating macrobiotic diets.

People aged sixty and over

People who’ve undergone any gastric and/or intestinal surgery, including bariatric surgery for weight loss purposes (Gastric bypass).

People who regularly use proton-pump- inhibitors. H2 blockers, antacids, Metformin, and related diabetes drugs, or other medications that can interfere with B12 absorption.

People who undergo surgeries or dental procedures involving nitrous oxide, or who use the drug recreationally.

People with a history of eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia).

People with a history of alcoholism.

People with a family history of pernicious anaemia.

People diagnosed with anaemia (including iron deficiency anaemia, sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia).

People with Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gluten enteropathy (celiac disease), or any other disease that cause malabsorption of nutrients.

People with autoimmune disorders (especially thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s disease) Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, lupus, Addison’s disease, ulcerative colitis, infertility, acquired agammaglobulinemia, or a family history of these disorders.

Women with a history of infertility or multiple miscarriages.

Infants born to and/or breast fed by women who are symptomatic or are at risk for B12 deficiency.

How. Much is ur b12

There you have the answer Manasa.  B12 can only be naturally sourced from meats, fish, eggs, seafoods, poultry and dairy produce.

However your diet may well include enough Folate from your vegetables, but I would still get your level checked to be on the safe side.

The PPI reduces stomach acid but as you are now on B12 injections they probably won't be an issue.

I wish you well for the future and hope your symptoms beging to improve soon.

220 but cant get gp to give treatment in the uk as the range starts at 200 - 900