Hi, I know I'm a bit late in on this thread but I am doing some written work on vitamin b12 deficiency and am looking for people to read the odd piece to see if it rings true with them? Preferably I'd like readers who either had problems getting their deficiency diagnosed or are patients who did but still have symptoms recurring after treatment. A big ask for a first post I know, but hopefully this will eventually help other sufferers.
An easy way to have all the B vitamins - yes including vitamin B12 - is to use Marmite spread; just spread it thinly on toast or a sandwich. (I spread it on toast and then put some peanut butter on top).
You can buy Marmite in the British food sections at the Coop, expat stores etc:
If you have a malabsorption problem, which most people with a deficiency do have, the amount of b12 in marmite (and it is added, it is not natural within yeast products) won't do anything whatsoever to prevent neurological damage. Additionally it has a corresponding large amount of folate - if someone has a b12 deficiency (which can cause permanent neuro damage) and they are given disproportionate amounts of folate against b12, then because they both show as macrocytic anaemias in blood counts the folate 'supplementation' will disguise or mask the macrocytic b12 anaemia.
Generally the same rules apply to low dose multivitamin supplements also.
Marmite were very advanced in realising the difficulties that arise from b vitamin deficiencies, however the amounts in their product would in no way off-set a deficiency due to malabsorption.
Sorry about that. I know your advice was given with the best of intentions.
Yep, with a normal metabolism you can get all your vitamin requirements from foodstuffs, even if you're strictly vegetarian. By and large, OTC vitamin supplements are a waste of money.
However, if you've got a deficiency severe enough to warrant medical treatment then stick to the regime set down by your doctor. Eat a sensible, balanced diet, of course, but don't try to fix yourself with foodstuffs.
Yes, good advice - however my posting was relating to people who are still symptomatic after the regime prescribed by the doctor. Or, indeed, those people who had difficulties getting diagnosed in the first place.
There is a large and growing contingent who are continuing to suffer with symptoms after blood tests return to normal and I have done some work on the subject and it would be helpful if people in the above categories find the information relevant.
Vitamin b12 food is very useful for human body.People with B12 deficiency may eventually develop pernicious anemia, a type of blood disorder. Patients with pernicious anemia cannot produce enough IF (intrinsic factor) in their stomach. IF is needed so that the body can absorb vitamin b12. People with this blood disorder need to have vitamin B12 injections which go straight into their bloodstream, bypassing the stomach.
Some people have disease where their body does not uptake Vitamin B12. A bit rare, but it is a life long process to continue medicine and shots as you can not repair the situation. It is unusual for some to develop a B12 deficiency as B12 is abundant in foods. Maybe if extreme vegan, or in cases of alcoholism. Did the doc do a CBC workup to make sure white and red counts in line? More concerning is the underlying cause.
I didn't know about this being a condition. I was diagnosed by my doctor 2 weeks ago. We did some random tests to check how I was in general and found my iron level very low which I am used too. Few years ago, I got shots for it but it want back down so doc decide to not do anything about it for now.
For the B12, I have to take one pill once a month. He said it can take up to 6 months to see any effect (!!)