Pernicious Anemia Community Group

Decrease in Red Blood Cells due to Vitamin B12 deficiency from malaborption through the gastrointestinal tract. This form of anemia is part of Megoblastic Anemia which is where the blood cells are larger then normal. Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough healthy blood cells and therefore does not allow enough oxygen to body tissues. Please join the...

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
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What is a good level for B12?

deleted_user
deleted_user
My B12 was measured at 373 in a test November 30.I had taken 1,000mcgs of B12 the day before the test. My doctor says this is a normal level. I am on Metformin and Synthroid which can inhibit B12 absorption. What kind of B12 reading should I shoot for? I feel like I am on my own with this. I have taken 1,000mcgs of B12 daily for 11 days and I can feel the difference. The burning in my feet and legs is better . I am not so dizzy and all the bruises are going away . The best part is I am sleeping longer and no one has to finish my sentences because I forget what I am talking about. Big smile:) I surprised myself today by running up the stairs with a basket of potatoes.....me running up stairs...it is a major miracle!!! My plan is to finish the first bottle of B12 then reduce the daily intake by 1/2 and see if the symptoms come back. Does this seem reasonable to you? I have chronic gastritis I am on metformin and synthroid which inhibit b12 absorption and great grandmother had pernicious anemea.
Linda
deleted_user
deleted_user
your level sounds good, you don't want them too high, heck my dr would be happy if mine would come up 173 but it wont, and I have had shots now for 7 months and my levels are still in the toilet.

If the supplement you are taking is helping then I would continue on it, I wouldnt reduce to much. I know many people who have gastritis that have no b12 issues, I have no Intrinsic factory that is why I don't absorb b12.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I feel so much better than I did. All my foot and leg pain is gone. My balance is better. I am finishing hubby's sentences :) I am smiling again and I don't feel like death. I can plan for the future again instead of wondering if I need to plan my funeral. No IBS no chest pain. I have switched from the liquid B12 to the sublingal tablets. They are much easier on my stomach. Sowle I am taking a suppliment of the other B vitamins along with the B12 . They all work better when the other B's are present.
Linda
chloe2268
chloe2268
Not sure if this helps or if anyone is interested but I recently heard about a new oral prescription alternative to the injections called Eligen B12. I recently read that it works even if you don't have intrinsic factor (so even if you don't have normal gut absorption). Apparently it came out a month or two ago...
lindasteadman
lindasteadman
Do you have any links to the information? I've recently had trouble giving myself shots because of incredible pain when I try to insert the needle - I also have fibromyalgia. It began 2 months ago, so if there is a viable alternative, I'm interested in learning more.
lindasteadman
lindasteadman
FYI, my blood level has gone above 2000 and that was when I was really feeling good. I was giving myself shots every two weeks. Then the doctor I was seeing stopped shots completely because of the high level, and symptoms started returning... interrupted sleep, RLS, constipation, incontinence, fuzzy thinking, etc. I'm back on shots again, and just convinced my doctor to let me do them every 2 weeks again until I feel better and can reduce the frequency. Its sad to have to practically beg for something that makes me better just because the medical community has such antiquated or ill-informed thinking about PA.