B 12 QUESTION

I went to my PCP Monday . I have severe numbness in my lower left leg . I told her that I wanted my B-12 checked - which she has kindly agreed to do . I had blood work same day . I was wondering if anyone here has experienced any malabsorbsion problems w/B12 . I did contact me NP at my GBS surgeons office and she said was a smart thing to do , and if it comes back low they can put me on shots . Another thing is that I am diabetic - I have had it under control since surgery but I am a firm believer that once diabetic always diabetic .. She said it could be nerve damage from where it went untreated for years .. Dunno .. Your input or insight would be greatly appreciated . Hugs , Nat 310-Holding on tight to 130 !

I recently had some bloodwork done and among the screwed up values was B-12. I am now on shots once/month. They are no big deal. Most people report that they feel re-energized and numbness/tingling goes away...I cannot say the same. Then again I have so many low numbers that I don't know what to attribute the symptoms to. Am seeing my (substitute, because my WLS surgeon relocated) WLS MD this afternoon and hope to walk away with real strategies and next steps. Again, B-12 shots are cake! Karen (My picture is from 5 years ago...pre-op)

Malabsorption would be an issue if you take them orally, but B12 should be taken either sublingually (under the tongue) or via injections. Neither of those methods involve****ting the intestines, but go directly into the blood stream. I've been taking mine sublingually for 2.5 years and have mostly kept my levels OK (they were low for awhile.) Some people need to take the shots however. The only way to know is through the blood tests. -- Jim F. high-475, surgery-414, lowest-164, current-192, goal-160

B-12 is one of the known vitamins that we do not do well with. Low B-12 can cause neuopathy. I do a sublingual daily and my surgeon has me do the injection every two weekis. We try and keep my levels up to around 1400-1500. If they fall under 400 that can be dangerous. Some of the affects of low B-12 can not be repaired. Good Luck with this Darlene

Hi Darlene, I was wondering why your surgeon wants your levels to be between 1400-1500? I had my labs done not long ago and they always come back in normal range. This time I asked for a copy. I just looked at my B-12 levels and it said in normal range. The range they base it on is 200-1100. My level is at 653. I take a B-12 shot once a month. Now I'm wondering if I should take it twice a month. It would seem that compared to your levels mine is much lower. I never feel that extra boost of energy that others talk about w/their B-12 injections. Just cruious a to what to do. Jeannie PS I also am wondering if there is a site I can go to that shows the levels of everything we are tested for and where we should be as WLS patients. I know longer have a GBS or I would call his office to find out.

Jeannie, I'm off to work right now, but when I get home this evening I'll email you some stuff on the B-12's....... One of the ladies here in CA walks with a cane now, has numerous problems becaue of the B-12 or lack of..... Darlene

Darlene-Could you pleas email me a list of what should be routinely tested in our post-op lab work? My wls is in another state and my pcp is more than willing to order what is necessary, but I want to get it straight. What exactly is the B-12 test called? Is there a test which gives advance warning on B-12 problems? Thanks for your help.

Yes, it's just a rountine B-12 level test....I'll go to my other computer in the other room and email the other info to those that wanted it..... Darlene

i would appreciate a copy of the b 12 [email protected] thx,margo

Thanks for posting Darlene - you have no idea how timely this information is. I have recently had some difficulty with numbness in my right hand. Last week, the entire hand went numb and I wound up in the ER, but they didn't have any idea what it could be. Fortunately, it only lasted about 3 hours and the brace they put me in seemed to help. But twice this week, I've had brief episodes of tingly numbness in the finger tips of my right hand. Being aware of the B-12 issues, I've upped my sublingual from every other day, to daily and I also called the doctor to order bloodwork today to check my levels thinking I may also have to add the injections. I don't want to let it get advanced before I recognize the problem for what it may be. I deeply appreciate your knowledge and you willingess to share it with us. Julie