Posted by Larry Hoover on April 13, 2007, at 6:03:16
In reply to question; high B-12 levels in blood???, posted by spriggy on April 12, 2007, at 22:45:41
> Hey guys,
>
> I am going through a nasty time right now- I am getting treatment for Lymes' disease and the treatment has turned out to be more brutal than the actual disease!
>
> The first week, I was severely depressed and anxious.. but after the 2nd week, I have noticed I feel so much calmer and happier. My mood swings are basically non existent..Your experience is typical, both weeks. I'm happy for you. Lyme's can have profound psych effects.
> Maybe the Lymes' really was effecting me and my mental health?
Until you get that completely under control, I wouldn't even try to form an opinion about long-term psych status. Your vulnerability has been proven, but with this stressor brought under control, you could completely rebound. I'm not suggesting a cure is possible, but that you may have been through the worst, for the time being.
> I had an MRI yesterday; my dr. is trying to rule out MS and is checking for brain lesions as I have had partial paralysis in my arms and legs for the past few weeks ( some days, I can not even get up to walk).
I know this is stressful to even consider, but with stuff like this, watchful waiting is standard. Ruling out MS is a wise act, but absent such a diagnosis, they'll just monitor you to see how it develops (or remits). It could be related to the Lyme's, and some autoimmune activity, for example. That would settle down as treatment progresses, your nerves would heal.....
> They did routine blood work and I got a note today from the doctor- I thought this was strange and wondered if anyone knew what this could mean:
>
> " B-12 levels were over normal at 1406, normal is 200-987)."
>
> That was all that the doctor wrote but I am confused by this.
>
> I thought B vitamins were water soluble?Not B-12. Not in the way you're thinking. The inclusion of B-12 amongst the other B-vitamins was actually an error of history, IMHO. It should have a category all to itself, like C or D or E.
Vitamin B-12 is actually quite a complex molecule, something like hemoglobin, but instead of an iron atom at the centre, it has a cobalt atom. All the various forms of this vitamin contain the suffix -cobalamin, after cobalt. These blood values are of no immediate concern, although individuals with a tendency to overproduction of red blood cells might experience a transient above-normal increase in RBC/hematocrit. Those with anemia are generally the ones given this vitamin, for that very reason, to boost red cell production. The liver will gradually take up the excess circulating B12, and store it. Again, that makes B12 unlike any of the other B-vitamins. The liver can store ~5 years supply, i.e. if the liver is replete, it takes five years of deficient diet to really show up on clinical examination.
BTW, if you had been B12 deficient in the past, your digestion should improve. B12 is essential for both the formation and release of stomach acid. You won't hear doctors say it, but GERD can be a symptom of B12 deficiency.....and GERD can inhibit protein digestion (via mis-timing of acid release), which inhibits B12 absorption.
> Why would mine be elevated? Could this be why my moods have improved so much??
It could be part of it, without doubt. Anemia means relative oxygen starvation.....fatigue, mental cloudiness, depressed mood.
> I was taking B-12 injections weekly up until 6 weeks ago, then I just got so sick, I was not able.That entirely explains the high blood levels. The injection is given IM, with the B-12 supplied in a medium from which it diffuses slowly, over time. Kind of a timed release mechanism. The blood finding is of no clinical relevence, unless you are one of the unlucky few who develop an excessive production of blood cells.
> I am just curious about this..I am just wordy about this....
I pray for your recovery.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:749416
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070413/msgs/749449.html