Astounding Information about B12 Deficiency

I knew B12 was important, but I had no idea how many things low B12 can affect.  As they say in the video below, B12 is a horse, not a zebra.  In other words, B12 should be something our physicians routinely check.

http://youtu.be/BvEizypoyO0
Symptoms and Related Disorders
Memory Issues, mental confusion, "brain fog," short attention span
Nerve issues, Numbness, Tingling or "Pins and Needles" esp. in hands or feet, Gait problems, and urinary incontinence due to nerve damage
Muscle Issues: Weakness, Clumsiness
Pale or yellow skin

Mood Issues: Anger, Irritability, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Thoughts of Suicide, Psychosis
Stomach and GI Disturbances, including food allergies
Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia
Sore mouth or tongue, including swollen tongue, possibly dark red
Visual Disturbances
Dizziness
Orthostatic Intolerances
Tachycardia
Edema
Elevated Homocysteine
Elevated MMA
Shortness of Breath
Migraines
Fatigue
Tremors
Dysplagia, including epithelial dysplagia which can result in a false positive pap smear for women
Neurological lesions
In children, repetitive gestures, possible regression in developmental areas, small head circumference, slow growth, failure to thrive,

Risk Factors include:
A diet low in meat and animal protein, esp. vegetarian or vegan
Celiac Disease
Use of acid-blockers (see here, if you have stomach acid issues)
Use of Birth Control
Use of Nitrous Oxide anesthesia (which inactivates B12)
Stomach Surgery
Pregnant and post-partum women (increases B12 needs), especially those women taking supplements high in folic acid - particularly women with post-partum depression

Those with low stomach acid (esp. the elderly)
Age over 50
Parasites
Pernicious Anemia
Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Peptic Ulcer
Transcobalamin Deficiency



Serum B12 labs are not always enough to rule out a deficiency because the lab is checking serum levels, not tissue levels of B12.  The video explains that the following labs might need to be done to rule out a B12 deficiency:

• Serum B12
• HoloTranscobalamin
• Homocysteine
• Methylmalonic Acid
• Unsaturated B12 Binding Capacity

http://b12awareness.org/2013/01/21/2013-b12-documentary-by-elissa-leonard-completed/

http://www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org/phpbb/

All rights reserved, copyright information Elissa Leonard 2011

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

I started taking 5-HTP today.  WOW.  The black cloud has lifted! 

For the past few days, ever since I got some bad news that seemed to suck the cortisol right out of me, I have been very depressed.  (Remember, I have low cortisol all day, plus slightly above normal at midnight.) 

Leaving the house or making any sort of decisions was giving me anxiety.  Normal, everyday things have been extremely challenging.

I'd been hearing about 5-HTP, talked with a friend about it, and took 100 mg today.  An hour later, I left like the sense of doom was lifting.  Two hours later, I feel like it's gone. 

The thought of going to the grocery store isn't sending me into a tailspin! 

I'm not yelling at my kids even though they're throwing things at the ceiling! 

I'm planning to take another 100 mg tonight before bed - 200 mg each day. 

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/psychology/health_psychology/5htp_myth.htm

"How to start taking Natural Dessicated Thyroid" AND "How NOT to Start Taking Natural Dessicated Thyroid"

How to Start Taking NDT

In her chapter on What Thyroid Patients Have Learned, Janie Bowthorpe explains the patient-based protocol for starting Natural Dessicated Thyroid (NDT):

• 1 grain (60 mg) for one-to-two weeks
• increasing by 1/2 grain every two weeks
• and holding around 2-3 grains for four-to-six weeks to allow time for the T4 to build and convert to T3

This is the protocol whether you are switching from synthetic T4-only medication or starting thyroid medication for the first time.

There's Light at the End of the Tunnel

I'm happy.  Even though I'm hitting a few road blocks along the way, I am getting better.  Read on!

I've been on NDT since January 18 and I started CT3M (with my NDT) Mar 28.  I've hit a few roadblocks:

1. I just found out my iron is low. 

    I was surprised.  I should have checked this much earlier in the process, but I didn't and I wasted time
    that I could have spent feeling better.  It was a dumb, basic mistake. 

    Do not be like me and think you are immune and can skip over "steps." 

2.  I need to swap T3 for my NDT for my Circadian dose, then use NDT for my daytime doses.

     I'm waaaaiting for the T3 to come in the mail.  When it does, I'll start with 12.5 mcg 90 minutes before I
     rise.  I'll basically be starting CT3M all over again.  Then I'll add 1/2 grain NDT somewhere around 1
     PM.