An untreated B12 deficiency: Jimmy's Story

An untreated B12 deficiency: Jimmy's Story


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Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Certain groups of people are susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency and may need to supplement their diet. Those who do not consume animal products, such as vegans or vegetarians, are particularly at risk for a deficiency and should ask their doctor to check their vitamin B12 levels.

Others at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency include people who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, as well as older adults, due to potential decreased stomach acid production associated with age.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anything from fatigue to anemia and even neurodevelopmental delay in early childhood. If left untreated, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve damage.

Some of the most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

General fatigue
Tingling in the hands or feet
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Rapid heart rate
Shortness of breath

The body can store over 1,000 times your recommended daily intake of vitamin B12, which means that symptoms of a deficiency can often take years to become noticeable.

So I thought about this topic a lot because I like to be on top of my health...or so it seemed! I work a lot, play league ball hockey and work out very regularly. So with a lot of physical and mental stress, including a period of time I went through heavy financial stress in my business, I found I was getting quite a few of these symptoms about 5 years ago...starting out very subtly. Over period of time I'd be getting during or near end of day so I'd slam coffee and energy drinks just to keep me going. Started developing a small leg cramp just above the ankle on my left calf which over time started coming more tingly in nature and going up my leg.

As my body mass was increasing due to training I assumed my shortness of breath was related to gaining weight while maintaining my athletic physique and last year or so started bloating a little bit...always a feeling of discomfort and feeling really full after a small meal. Overall I felt like my body just wanted to sleep and rest but I couldn't give up on my work and activities...it just felt like a struggle. I thought maybe I was overdoing it in life with constant state of being busy and that I needed time off or to get away (nevermind relationship struggles...those were stressful too).

Anyways, long story short decided to tell my GP about constantly feeling tired and getting brain fog, memory and attention problems, tingling in my leg and just feeling unwell. Test results showed I needed more B12 which would help with neuro and improve my energy but also taking magnesium supplements (which had almost an immediate effect on the tingling feeling riding up my leg into my glutes.)

The story that is shared in the youtube video has the point of not taking your health for granted and if you start feeling unwell internally that is NOT normal for you, seek doctor attention right away. It's good to do your own research as well and become self educated in the process and possibly eliminate any assumptions or worries you have along the way, but very important not to self diagnose.

Long story short I continue my regimen and have a really good diet, cut out a lot of bad foods but also found a balance again between all of my daily activities again and reducing stress. Pay attention to your physical and mental health!

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

I do not eat meat, I take Methylcobalamin liquid b12! I do feel much better!

Thank you for posting this! S/F

originally posted by: JJproductions
a reply to: Skywatcher2011

I do not eat meat, I take Methylcobalamin liquid b12! I do feel much better!

Thank you for posting this! S/F

At what point did you realize you need to take B12 supplement? what is your story mind me asking?

I recently had several DNA tests done to see if I'm predisposed to any nutrient deficiencies, after dealing with neuropathy for over a year. As I suspected, I had several genetic issues which can effect how I process certain nutrients, as well as a gut lining mutation.

The package deal was $200 and included somewhere around 50 tests, a breakdown of the results, diet and supplement recommendations, and a list of confirmation tests that doctors can order.

There's at least 4 types of B12, and it turns out that my body prefers one type, and can handle another type well. Since I crave sunlight and generally feel better after getting it, I wasn't surprised that I also have issues absorbing and processing vitamin D.

There's some other things that were identified, and I've been experimenting with different supplements, trying to find which ones work best, while also trying not to overload myself. I'm taking vitamins, supplements, and a recommended probiotic, while also eating more healthy, watching my sugar and carbs, and continuing to get regular exercise.

There's something like 100 different causes of neuropathy, so zeroing in on what's causing my issue, then curing it, hasn't been easy, but I am slowly making noticable progress, and learning
along the way. Nerves can heal and even regenerate, but the process is extremely slow.

Here's a link to the DNA test package deal, I just described:

Max Gen Labs - Max Function

They offer some other tests as well.

a reply to: IndieA

Thank you for sharing my friend! We all have our journey and yours is definitely an interesting one...learned something new and well done investigating and investing into your health!

I have the tingling in my right hand and something I found that helped was Alpha Lipoic Acid. Heard about it somewhere and looked it up. Turns out their was some kind of study on it and supplements for it were supposed to be effective on nerve problems and tingling in the hands and feet. The tingling is like 95% gone at this point. Might have to add B-12 to the morning pills now.

a reply to: ntech620

Alpha lipoic acid has been a tremendous help for my neuropathy situation with my feet. It's supposed to repair the myelin sheath that insulates the nerves, but since nerve repair is slow, it can take several weeks to start seeing results.

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

B12 is a GAME CHANGER!

I was referred to a hematologist for low white blood cell count. She put me on a B12 injections, a recommended daily dose, once a month. I don't know why, as it didn't do anything for my white blood cell count, nor did she think it would.

But I did notice how much better I felt when I got it, so I did some sleuthing, found an affordable source, and started self-injecting twice a week. I don't absorb B12, apparently, so I need to get my Bs injected. After a short while I noticed my skin felt better, my teeth got stronger, my panic attacks faded away and my neuropathy subsided greatly.

I started giving it to my elderly kitties too, bi-weekly, and noticed a huge change in their well being as well!

You can find it for animals at Tractor Supply and here too: www.amazon.com...=sr_1_5_pp?crid=1N11B3JTEY3I6&keywords=injectable+b12+for+animals&qid=1705985208&spre fix=injectable+b%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-5

There's tons of YouTubes on how to inject yourself and your cats and sheeple.

a reply to: Sookiechacha

Thanks for sharing! At what point did you need to get yourself checked out? What symptoms were you feeling?

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

I had my heart valve replaced on Valentine’s Day 2023, they ran every type of blood test before my surgery and found my b12 was low.

I also take copper and for some reason not one doctor would run my blood for copper.

I started taking liquid b12 and everything started feeling better! Once again thank you for this post because you could really help someone out!

a reply to: JJproductions

That is my wish with this thread...I really want to spread awareness out there and if it can help someone out that is all that I pray for.

Also thank you for sharing your experience...everyone has their own journey that we can learn through and grow from

originally posted by: Skywatcher2011
a reply to: Sookiechacha

Thanks for sharing! At what point did you need to get yourself checked out? What symptoms were you feeling?

My doctor does routine blood draws. She noticed my white blood cells started plummeting and sent me to a specialist. It wasn't so much because I was feeling symptoms, it was me noticing symptoms disappearing, symptoms that I thought were just me, or old age, when I got the B injections.

originally posted by: Sookiechacha

originally posted by: Skywatcher2011
a reply to: Sookiechacha

Thanks for sharing! At what point did you need to get yourself checked out? What symptoms were you feeling?

My doctor does routine blood draws. She noticed my white blood cells started plummeting and sent me to a specialist. It wasn't so much because I was feeling symptoms, it was me noticing symptoms disappearing, symptoms that I thought were just me, or old age, when I got the B injections.

Wow...thank you for sharing...I just did an immediate search on Google to see if there was a correlation between B12 and white blood cell counts:

Some people may benefit from taking multivitamins or supplements containing folate and vitamin B12. Both of these contribute to white blood cell production. Other vitamins, such as vitamins A and C, and zinc may play a role in promoting white blood cell production. People can get more naturally through their diet too.

Your body needs vitamin B12 to make healthy red blood cells , white blood cells , and platelets

Damn, science is amazing! Awesome to know and great discovery!

a reply to: Skywatcher2011

It's not that my body isn't making white blood cells, they took a bone marrow biopsy, and it is. It's that my body is eating them up like crazy, somewhere, 'cuz they're not in my blood. So, we're looking for where they might be going. My liver? My Pancreas, lungs?

After several Xrays, MRIs and CT Scans... Right now, it looks like it's muscle damage from toxicity in my skeletal muscular frame (?), coupled with my arthritis, that's eating up my white blood cells. It's a common side-effect from the cholesterol and A1c lowering medication I've been taking, which is what I've been telling my doctors ALL ALONG! Grrr

But hey! My cholesterol and my A1c are both GREAT!

Anyway, you've got to be your own advocate, because doctors, well.......

Vitamin roulette!

Yes, it's a thing. When you know your diet rivals any from a 1980's Frat House. Still have no clue which ones are working but clearly some I take are. Mistakenly purchased B12 in capsule form. Two giant bottles.
The aftertaste is stunningly horrid. The smell when you open the bottle just as horrifying. Still taking them, they still taste like @$$.

Have decided B12 builds character. Denial is awesome!!
Noticed since about 8weeks into honking down all manner of vitamins a massive improvement. Crepe'y skin no longer Goldie Hawn full drapery special. Tired at end of day, normal tired easy to fall asleep. Wake up on days off full of piss & vinegar. Last weekend scrubbed down kitchen BEFORE my first cig. Didn't even notice that till later when I made a cup of tea.

Still a nutritional juvenile delinquient but no weight gain, or loss. Just charting when & how to slam down handfuls of vitamins has been a adventure. Water soluble, must take with food or something fatty, can't take some at same time,
These work in am, other's better at pm.
And this is why I remain fuzzy on which ones are doing the trick. The above killed all my bandwidth.

Thanks for the Senior Kitty tractor supply B12 info!!