B-12 Info- Very Interesting

I pulled this off the web from a site called doctoryourself.com. I thought this was very interesting especially b/c I was having some problems absorbing B-12 and have gone to giving myself monthly shots. If you do not like getting shots of B-12, you should be aware that intranasal absorption is the next best thing. Oral administration of B-12 is largely ineffective. This goes for so-called sublingual B-12 supplements as well. VITAMIN B-12, unlike other B vitamins, is stored in muscle and other organs of the body. A little B-12 goes a long way, what is stored lasts a long time, and it may take YEARS to deplete your body's reserves. But sooner or later, usually later (after age 40), not only do poor eating habits catch up with us, but we also lose the ability to efficiently absorb what B-12 we do get from food. COBALAMIN is the proper name for vitamin B-12. It is a really huge molecule (C 63, H 90, O 14, P, Co). The "Co" is for the one cobalt atom at its core. B-12 is obtained mostly, but not exclusively, by eating animal products such as dairy and meat. If you therefore think that you have to eat meat to get your B-12, consider this: Where do grass-and-grain-eating cattle get THEIR vitamin B-12? From synthesis by microorganisms in their gastrointestinal tract, that's where. And such synthesis in vegetarian animals is so tremendous that their milk and flesh is OUR source of B-12. But it all actually came from their bacteria. Yes, B-12 is also synthesized in the human GI tract, but not reliably enough for most people. Such synthesis as occurs may be enhanced by a good vegetarian diet that favors an internal population of beneficial, B-12 making bacteria. But with our diets, we will need more than they can provide. Nutritional yeast, fermented soy foods such as tempeh, and sprouts (according to some sources) are vegetarian sources of dietary B-12. But there still is a physiological hurdle to cross. Absorption of dietary B-12 takes place in the very last part of the small intestine, right before the colon. Absorption requires a biochemical helper molecule called "intrinsic factor," which is a glycoprotein normally secreted by cells lining your stomach. Strong stomach hydrochloric acid is also required to split up this huge molecule. (That's why a weak acid like vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is harmless to B-12, persistent myths to the contrary). Incidentally, even sublingual (under-the-tongue) B-12 supplements are probably ineffective because the cobalamin molecule is too large to diffuse through the mucosa of the mouth. And if your body no longer makes intrinsic factor like it should, you cannot absorb oral B-12 supplements very well, either. The end result can be pernicious anemia, which is more than the classical inability to make enough hemoglobin for your red blood cells. Pernicious anemia also results in a sore mouth and tongue, assorted burning and tingling sensations (paresthesia), and eventually neurologic damage. I think Meniere's, and dementia symptoms mistaken for Alzheimer's disease, might be a manifestation of this. I would suggest your doctor try a 1,000 microgram (mcg) injection at least once a week. (My PCP had me start out with one shot a week for four weeks and then one shot monthly there after) Compared to the US RDA of only about 3 mcg, that dose may appear rather hefty. But given the miserable nature of Meniere's, erring on the high side may be preferable to unnecessarily delaying recovery. And l know of no side effects whatsoever to B-12 overdose.

Thanks for the super post. This is a real concern for me since I am still very tired. I sure don't want any (more) neurological damage. I'm going to be checking out Meniere's. I hope you are well!!! How is James??? Hugs, Becky

WOW that is good to know since i just got my labs back and my B-12 was low so i have to go back and see what they want to do with me ...thank god that was the only thing abnormal but that explains why i am so tired all the time Laura

Tonya, what a great post. So many post-ops are not aware of how important B-12 is. None of us want to encounter the horrors of very low B-12 issues. It is so important to get on board with B-12 right away. For those of you who also attend W.I.N.G.S. meetings once a month, each month, Wanda, one of the founding members, reminds all in attendance to take your B-12 shot. She calls it, "National take your B-12 shot day." Debbie J Duncan patient 01-14-02 lap-rny 01-15-02 leak repair surgery (non smoker, non steroid taker) 01-29-02 surgery to see if I had another leak, NO thank goodness SEVERE COMPLICATIONS!! 45 days in ICU, 33 days kept alive via ventilator 30 days in a rehab hospital, had to learn to walk again Now, one happy girl........LUCKY to be alive

Hey, Tonya, This post is more timely than you know. Another doctor told me today to see my PCP NOW for B12 shots. She also said not to trust blood work on this issue because B12 levels often show "false reads," both on the positive and negative side. "Everyone who has had this surgery NEEDS the shots." Dr. Dawson also said that many WLS patients have symptoms of depression that are actually B12 deficiencies. One patient was close to dementia, but after two weeks of low antidepressant and B12, she was a brand new person again. It wasn't depression at all! I trust Dr. Dawson completely! Not only has the Lord used her mightily in healing our family, but her mom had weight loss surgery two years ago. This doc has been an encourager for me from day 1. I have to wait until 2:00 to schedule an appointment, but I will make the time! Y'all, get your shots!!! Debbie, sounds like the WINGS lady really knows her stuff! Hugs. Becky Hugs, Becky

Hey Tonya, I get 1 large dose per month. I got them two weeks after my initial surgery. I can tell you that I felt a major difference after my first shot. I can tell when I am runned down and its time for another. You have no idea how dependent on B12 you are until you are no longer absorbing it. I think everyone should have a serious convo with their surgeon and or PCP to address it. Denise

Becky, Laura, your posts are always soooo enthusiastic and vibrant. I'm surprised but somehow gratified in a weird sort of way..Haha! that you two are complaining of being tired too. I have just started being tired...about 1 week before my 4th month anniversary...for about the last 3 weeks I'm pooped all the time. My surgeon doesn't even do blood wor****il 9 months out unless you have severe problems and I confess I didn't mention my fatigue to him since it has just started about a week prior to my last appt. and I thought it would go away. Maybe I should go to my PCP and suggest B12s. She's not really all that knowledgeable about gastric bypass surgery though so not sure what her response will be, but I'll be off work next week, maybe I'll check with her. Thanks for sharing. It always helps to know you're not the only one experiencing certain symptoms.

Hey Joyce, It's always good to know you're not the only one! LOL I started getting tired at about your stage. I see my PCP/Internist tomorrow at 4:00. I'm a bit nervous about her reaction. I hope she doesn't require all of the blood work before she'll give me the prescription. I am a very tired "hyper" girl!!! I truly am going to bed at about 9:00 each night. I'm very concerned about what I might be missing, especially since the teenagers and young adults don't usually leave until midnight. Several wor****il 10:00, so stopping off at the Farmers is a natural progression. My hubby is not a good crowd controller. He's the "yes" man...teddy bear type! I'm the enforcer!!! This "enforcer" needs some energy! Love ya' Becky