Question:
ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT B-12
I had my blood work up done and have a copy of my results, my b 12 was 311 they showed normal 200-1100, my first question is will i have more energy if i get my number to 1100? and second i know my PC wont give me a shot, so what can i take over the counter. One more questions what is a RDW it is on the print out and mine is high 16.7 normal is 11.5-15.2 THANKS IN ADVANCE — paulsgirl (posted on August 22, 2002)
August 22, 2002
Have you asked your primary about giving you a monthly B-12 shot and he has
refused?? If that is the case, you may want to ask him why. If you know
someone who is a nurse, maybe you can have your primary write you a
prescription for the B-12 and have the nurse friend give you a shot
monthly. An alternative to the B-12 shot is 500 mcg of B-12 sublingually
once a day. As far as interpreting your lab results, talk to your
physician or surgeon.
— John Rushton
August 22, 2002
The b-12 is sublingual under the tongue and in my opinion there gross, i
have to take 1000 mcg's so please please call your surgeon and ask there
nurse or someone there that knows. I noticed that as soon as i started
taking mine i had more engery. As far as the rdw it's a red blood cell and
it's always high after surgery of this kind i asked the same question ,
mine was high also. they explained that it's part of the healing process .
i had lap rny on 7-16-02 so far as the b-12 shots ask your surgeon to write
the script mine wrote mine. and if it's mandatory that you get b-12 the
primary can't refuse to give it.
— Dawn W.
August 22, 2002
It *is* mandatory to get the B-12 shots - otherwise, you will develop
pernicious anemia. The symptoms of pernicious anemia include: Symptoms may
include: weak muscles, numbness or tingling in hands and feet, difficulty
walking,
nausea, decreased appetite, weight loss, irritability, lack of energy or
tiring easily (fatigue), diarrhea, smooth and tender tongue and/or
increased heart rate (tachycardia).
— John Rushton
August 22, 2002
I had my first B12 shot last month and let me tell you my energy increased
50%! I was a bit late getting it this month and I could really feel myself
dragging. While I was in my PCPs office I just asked her to write me a RX
for the b12 and the needles and my hubby will give them to me at home. She
had NO problem with this. I dont understand your PCP not giving you the
shots or the rx so someone else can give them to you. It is a MUST that we
have the B12 and MY understanding is the shots are the best form to take
it. Good luck!~cm
— Sassy M.
August 22, 2002
Why is it mandatory to receive B-12 shots? My B-12 level was around 700
and is fairly consistent. Maybe because my doctor does bloodwork so
frequently, they are able to keep an eye on the levels. I have had my labs
done 6 times and I am almost 10 months post-op. I love how they do it so
often so that adjustments in vits can be made. Is it prescibed more by
docs that don't do labs that often and don't know the B-12 value on a
regular basis? Maybe they prescribe it as a precautionary. I just don't
know why it would be mandatory if levels are up to par.
— Cheri M.
August 22, 2002
My surgeon and nutritionist said that it is mandatory because with the WLS,
we don't absorb the B-12 vitamin via food (or oral vitamins). With the
great bulk of the stomach being bypassed, the intrinsic factor which causes
the B-12 to be absorbed into the system is prevented from doing its trick
on the food we eat. The onset of the disease is slow and may span decades.
However, it is something that is easily avoided with the sublingual B-12
or B-12 injections. My surgeon and his nutritionist insist that B-12 be
started within 2 months post-op.
— John Rushton
August 22, 2002
The shots are not mandatory, unless your levels drop, but taking B12 is a
necessity for us. I'm 3 years out and have always taken 2 sublinguals per
week, with steady levels so far.
— Leslie F.
August 22, 2002
I just found out that I, too, am B12 deficient, but they didn't tell me
what was normal and what my number was. I'm giving myself 2cc of B12 once a
month. I've also started taking B12 sublingually -- I don't know if I can
get too much or not -- I've heard you can't. ??? I have had more energy
since I've started all this.
— Betty Todd
August 22, 2002
My B12 levels did not come down until the 6th year.m I was taking nothing,
but I was watching my labs. As they drifted down, I started shots. My
husbands also came down in yr 6. Nevermind WHO I am, suffice it to say
that neither of us will do the sublinguals. I know, I know, but we just
don't do lozenges or hard candies (never did). Nothing wrong with the B12
subs, just not our preference. Some people do very well on subs
permanently, others need shots. Since we never let the levels g all the
way down, we never felt that "too tired to move" thing, nor do we
get a "power surge". No matter HOW you deal with it, you do have
to watch those levels. My surgeons were not on my ins at the time our B12
levels started down, so I had to run hru the whole intrinsic factor thing
with my PCP to get started, but we did start & he watched my labs like
a hawk to be sure it was "ok" to do the shots. Whichever doc you
use, you might point out that your oral B12 will never hook up with your
intrinsic factor--ever, so those levels are not going to come up on their
own.
— vitalady
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