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vitamin b12 deficiency

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robert58159
robert58159

I spent two weeks in hospital over Christmas and new year 2013-2014     My symtoms were numbness in my feet,legs,stomach and hands and I am type 2  diabetic. Neurogist diagonosed vitamin B12 defiency and nerve damage. Waiting for results of colonoscopy due to stomach problems.having b12 injections but no real change,trouble walking and balance affected.and advice gratefully accepted.

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3 Replies

  • bluemaran
    bluemaran robert58159

    Posted

    I'm so sorry to hear what a rough time you are having. It sounds like you may have been deficient for some time, perhaps because of long term digestive problems like IBD. Have you been on any drugs associated with your diabetes that might have depleted B12?

    My other half is diabetic, and was on Metformin. I read about it's side effects while researching for my own B12 deficiency. I suggested he get a test and - surprise, surprise - he is also B12 deficient.

    The jabs should be helping, but it takes a little while, and you need to make sure you are getting enough and in the right form of cobalamin. MadgeC is really good on the technicalities - perhaps she'll respond to your email.

  • MadgeC
    MadgeC robert58159

    Posted

    Hi Robert, You say you have diabetes type II. I am betting that you are on Metformin. Unfortunately most doctors either don't know or don't advise about the side effects of Metformin. Even the various diabetes organizations don't advise that over 50% of people on Metformin become B12 deficient. This depends very much on the level that you started with and also on how long you have been on Metformin and what the dose has been.  My suggestion would be to go on the b12oils. I know of a close friend who did this. He didn't believe that his levels were low until tested. Boy did he get a shock. Anyway after 2 months on the oils, plus a moderate exercise regime he has moved from 3 metformin doses per day, down to one. He has lost weigth and has his blood glucose well and truly under control. He is very conscientious about monitoring his blood glucose. He knew that he was likely going to be on metformin for life and be B12 deficient and so was determined to change. He has done brilliantly, adn believes that he will be off metformin and have normal glucose controls very soon. You have to admire him for that. Be aware that in order to repair your nerve damage you have to normalize your blood glucose AND have normal to high B12 (above 400) for several months. It is the rest of your life you are talking about. You may be lucky that you have found out already, because going down the dementia/AD pathway is not a great alternative.
  • bluemaran
    bluemaran robert58159

    Posted

    There you go!

    My other half lost 3 stone after he met me (we won't dwell on why) and all his diabetes readings improved enormously. But he is still on Metformin, and that's why he's now B12 deficient.

    Good luck with the colonoscopy results. If it's IBD, the combination of that and Metformin side effects might explain why you've got neurological symptoms.

    Some doctors don't seem to have got to grips with B12 deficiency generally, so you may need to prompt them about Metformin.

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