Told to stop B12?

Because of the change in healthcare in the US I had to change doctors. Did labs and new doctor told me to stop B12 because I was getting too much. She told me stop for 3 months then take it every other day. I was taking 5000 mcg a day. I stopped on June 11th and I started to feel fatigued more and more as time went on. Last few few days I am so run down and feel so exhausted and have no energy at all. I had RNY in December 2009 and never have felt so run down. Not even when I was anemic and needed iron infusions a year ago, (got lax on my vitamins)but now I am diligent in taking them all. 

I did some research and you can't get too much B12. It's not toxic. And with me not having the intrinsic factor....isn't stopping dangerous? 

Anyone ever been told to stop B12?

I am tired of being tired. Any idea's or suggestions?

i was told by my surgeon to reduce it to once a week as well. my b-12 level was high??  i was taking it everyday. It never gave me any energy to begin with so i dont see a benefit. there has to be a reason for taking it though i think...

What was your level?  If you are feeling tired, what were your ferritin levels last time?

None of us should accept whatever health care professionals tell us blindly!  You are your own best advocate and no one has more invested in your health than you.

Personally, I wouldn't have stopped taking B12 completely but maybe reduced it to once or twice per week?   How do you know you don't have intrinsic factor - not everyone who has RNY completely lacks intrinsic factor - which is why we all need different amounts of B12 to stay healthy!    

I wouldn't listen to anyone who tells you we ALL need to take X amount of XYZ ...   We all need to track our labs and respond to trends!

You were taking 5,000mcg? Im told to take 500mcg

Perhaps a compromise by reducing the amount.  I take 2500 mcg almost daily (I usually skip weekends just because I forget.)  My levels have been fine, as has my energy level.  I DEFINITELY notice a difference when I run out and don't take them for more than a few days. 

I take 3000 mcg a day, 6-7 days a week or as I remember to.  They do many things for us and my main thing is that it helps for nerve damage so the nerves can better repair themselves.  With my spine issues, I need that help.  But I do also notice that I have more energy during the days I do take B-12 than days without it.

Where's the Vitamin Police? Don't worry she'll be posting soon.

Did you get a copy of your lab work?  You should always ask for a copy so you can track the numbers and look for trends in your labs.  The doctor's office will happily give it to you if you ask.

That being said, I was taking B12 Sublingual 1000mg every day for the first three months after surgery.  My three month labs came back with high B12 (1136), and I was told to reduce it to four times a week.  I just had my six month labs and B12 is still high (1148).  The doctor wants me to reduce it to three times per week.

Do you know what your iron (ferritin) levels are?  Could be contributing to your exhaustion.  

Your B12 level is excellent!  I certainly wouldn't cut back on the amount I was taking.

Definitely get a copy of your lab results.  The reports have the ranges for upper/lower limits of normal.  If you're too high, try cutting back once or two days weekly, then after about 3 months, recheck the B12.  

I use the Trader Joe's sublinguals, 1000 mcg per tab, 4X weekly.  I run a little high, but I don't mind that, nor does my PCP.  YMMV.  Adjust to suit your needs.

Ours PCPs are our best resources, but we need to keep an eye on our own health.  Nobody cares about us as much as we do.