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Thx for the help guys. I'm still pondering this high b12 thing. Read an interesting article on it. http://www.yourhealthbase.com/B12overload.htm
It's interesting because I went to a nutritionist who did blood work through a company called Spectra Cell that measures the amount of each vitamin/mineral is actually being absorbed by my cells. This report came back saying that I'm actually LOW in B12 & other B's incidentally which means that even though I've got Vit B12 floating around in my blood, it's not actually being absorbed. All this lead me to discover that I have the Mthfr gene mutation that doesn't allow my body to absorb B or folate in top of having our surgery- oy vay! Thought it may be useful to all of us to read the article at least.
A grateful DSer forever!
SW 223 CW 132 GW 117-125
High B-12 isn't going to cause any harm. Stop taking any extra and you should be fine.
Are you eating enough fat to help with your constipation? If I get stopped up, it's because I'm not taking in enough fat. Also maybe some miralax daily would help
I also have always had very high B12 - haven't taken it for years. I think my multi has a small amount.
Do you take any fiber? I add a scoop of really good organic fiber to my morning beverage to help keep things regular. I take massive amounts of calcium and have never had issues with constipation. Hope you find some relief.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
I take 150K of Biotech D3 every day and it keeps my levels in the low normal range. Have been taking it for years with no side effects (that I know of).
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
Well hello there!
Lots of us have high B12. It's water soluble and the first thing to do is stop taking it. Get a multi with no B's and check all the rest of your pills too. Just for example Kirkland calcium is loaded with B6. Many of us had to stop taking it for that reason. B12 levels are a snapshot in time. Our bodies don't store B12 and you would need to be tested multiple times to be sure it's really high!
The liver thing. How was it diagnosed? High ALT/AST? If that's it, you may or may not have fatty liver. We metabolize a lot of fat every day and it's not that unusual to have high liver enzymes. But it should be followed up! I have heard about this happening to quite a few of us. One person was even put on a transplant list maybe 10 or so years ago. In the more than 20 years I have been around this community I only know of one person who died from liver failure and that would be right in sync with the normal population as a whole. Maybe even a little less.
Yes there is injectable calcium. I have never heard anything about it being used for deficiencies. Or instead of taking pills. Usually it's used for cardiac problems/muscle cramps, and sometimes insect bites.
Mine are dry. The ones from the pharmacy are oil, and they are usually D2. My D3's are over the counter and I buy them online.
We can't absorb the D2's from the pharmacy very well at all and they're basically worthless to us post op.
I'm taking Bio Tech brand, and the bottle says "D3-50, Cholecalciferol, Dietary Supplement". I paid around $30 plus shipping for 100 capsules and it lasts close to a year. Not sure if adding a link is ok in here but you can find the Bio Tech website easily if you Google it.
Hope this helps. Take care and good for you for getting on top of this now. It's critical, as you're discovering, but not every surgeon educates their patients sufficiently.
Hey there. Doubt if any of my old buddies are still here. Had DS in 2005 and am having a few issues from malabsorption & nutritional deficiencies. Wondering if anybody has any of the following:
1. Calcium and no constipation? I'd be in heaven if they could fix this problem with a calcium infusion like they do have for iron deficiency (venofer)
2. I've got consistently high levels of B12
3. Recent fatty liver diagnosis. Haven't touched a drop of alcohol since 1986.
I'm going to see a Gastro and am trying to decipher what to ask them for? Never been before. Id love to see if they can give me anything either to inject or via IV. Has anybody every been given calcium thru IV?
Feeling brain ? fog ? & fatigue.
Thx for any suggestions.
A grateful DSer forever!
SW 223 CW 132 GW 117-125
Your levels are very concerning. My hemoglobin went to 8 and my doctor was alarmed. I had the iron infusion the next day. The dry vitamin D3 comes from Biotech. It has a 50,000 IU dose. Your vitamin A levels are also concerning. Biotech has a 25,000 IU dry vitamin A. You can search posts on this site about what people take, but you should use your labs as a guide for what you need. Everyone's vitamin needs are different. There are many good brands, but these are the ones I take daily, except when noted. Don't take any vitamin in an oil based capsule. The doses are tweaked here and there over the years based on my labs and/or research. I find it easier to remember them alphabetically.
A (dry from Biotech) 25,000 IU daily.
B (stress complex from Twinlabs, because of my low B labs. Check labs before using) 250 mg daily
C (from Soloray, helps increase absorption of iron, take them together) 1000 mg
Copper (from Soloray one tablet a week, not with zinc) 2 mg
D (dry from Biotech) 50,000 IU daily (took more when my labs were low)
E (dry from Soloray) 400 IU
Iron (Proferrin with vitamin C before breakfast, not with zinc or copper) 28 mg
K1 (dry K1, from Soloray, every other day) 100 mcg
K2 (dry K2 from Relentless Improvement) 15,000 mcg (this is a lot more than most people take but I am at risk of osteoporosis] 3 daily, not all at once
Multivitamin (I use Centrum)
Zinc (from Soloray, three times a week, not with copper or iron) 50 mg.
I organize them in three 2-week trays from the drug store, which minimizes the work and reminds me to buy ones I have a low supply). Again, your needs may vary from mine, so get a good panel of labs for vitamins and minerals and the advice of a bariatric nutritionist and go from there.
I am so impressed with your being a caregiver for your husband. It's a ruthless disease and it is very hard to be a caregiver. Kudos to you.
HW 372 SW 350 CW 185 GW 150 Lost 187 so far....
Rainier Hematology/Oncology
Dr. Katherine (Ludwila) Martin
253-241-4296
There you have it. I'm really glad your own doc is paying attention now and giving you some blood. Two units is substantial and I'm glad it's being addressed.
As far as the Vit D, many of us supplement significantly. I take 50,000IU twice per week personally. There are people who take even more, and people who don't need to supplement much at all. Most docs would cringe at the higher numbers but eventually come to terms with larger doses if labs pan out and improve.
Good luck getting better. If you think of it and have a moment maybe you can check in and let us know how it's going. It can take a long, long time to get blood situations in order so once you're in a good spot make sure to stay vigilant.
