Is low Vitamin B-12 the root of our problems?

I've come across 2 facebook groups on Vitamin B-12 one of them being a very popular one called "Vitamin B-12 Wake up" and was going through some posts and reading symptoms of low deficiency which apparently seem quite similar to symptoms that most people experience om nofap PAWS.

I currently have B12 at 240. It needs to be around 500 for optimal levels.

So I think we can start a good debate on this and see whether B12 deficiency is something we should start focusing on.

If you're reading this thread, please share your B12 levels.

Note - B12 supplements and fortified foods might actually not be helpful even if your B12 shows an increase in the blood test; that's what I I've read so far in that group. I hope some of us can start compiling information and put things in perspective.

 

I agree. But also let's try finding ways to fasten up the recovery.

 

Found this website which lists down the symptoms experienced by those having Vitamin B12 deficiency - https://www.b12deficiency.info/signs-and-symptoms/

Neurological

• Tinnitus
• Tremor
• Paresthesia - numbness, tingling and pain
• Confusion / disorientation
• Weakness of legs, arms, trunk
• Impaired vibration - position sense
• Abnormal reflexes
• Unsteady or abnormal gait / falls
• Ataxia (Neurological disorder affecting balance, coordination and speech)
• Balance problems
• Difficulty walking
• Dizziness
• Restless legs
• Visual disturbances / decreased-blurred vision / damage of optic nerve
• Forgetfulness, memory loss
• Dementia / intellectual deterioration
• Impotence
• Paralysis
• Impaired fine motor coordination
• Muscular spasticity
• Bladder or bowel incontinence
• Impaired pain perception
• Nocturnal cramping
• Disturbance in taste and smell
• Optic atrophy

Neuropsychiatric

• Confusion/disorientation
• Psychosis
• Post natal depression
• Hallucinations
• Memory loss
• Delusion
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Mania
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Irritability
• Apathy
• Personality changes
• Inappropriate sexual behaviour
• Violent/aggressive behaviour
• Schizophrenic symptoms
• Sleep disturbances
• Insomnia
• Changes in taste, smell, vision, and sensory/motor function which can be mistaken for psychiatric problems

Haematological signs and symptoms

• Anaemia
• Macrocytosis (large red blood cells)
• Hyper segmented neutrophils
• Generalised weakness, fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Pallor / jaundice
• Chronic fatigue

Vascular Problems

• Orthostatic hypotension/ Postural hypotension (low blood pressure when standing, which can cause fainting and falls)
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia
• palpitations
• Occlusive vascular disorder
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs, or 'mini stroke')
• Cerebral vascular accident (CVA or 'stroke')
• Myocardial infarction ('heart attack')
• DVT - Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot to the leg or arm)
• PE - Pulmonary embolism

Female

• Infertility
• Recurrent miscarriage
• Abnormal PAP smears
• Intrauterine growth retardation

Male

• Infertility
• Impotence
• Low sperm motility
• Low sperm count

Gastrointestinal - signs and risk factors

• Loss of appetite/weight loss or anorexia
• Epigastric pain (poor digestion, bloated feeling after eating small or normal sized meals)
• IBS - Irritable bowel syndrome
• Constipation
• GERD - Gastric reflux disease - ulcers / mouth ulcers
• Giardiasis
• Pancreatitis, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency
• Decreased stomach acid
• Gastropareisis
• Helicobactor pylori infection
• SIBO Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Gastrectomy (partial or complete) - bariatric surgery
• Illeal resection (partial or complete)
• Malabsorption syndromes - Crohn's disease, coeliac disease etc)
• Liver disease
• Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm)

Additional Signs and Symptoms

• Dry cracked corners of the mouth
• Premature greying
• Glossitis - swollen / sore tongue, geographic tongue
• Fainting/light headedness
• Osteoporosis
• Fractures
• Suppressed activity of osteoblasts (cells that build bone)
• Symptoms mimicking Parkinson's and MS
• Nominal aphasia - difficulty recalling names or words
• Radiculopathy - chronic pain disorder
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Poor wound healing
• Malnutrition
• Seizure
• Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
• Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly)
• Skin hyper pigmentation or hypo pigmentation
• Poor antibody production following vaccines
• MTHFR Gene mutation

 

Yeah true. I'm just equating it to our symptoms on PAWS and most of them match well enough. It could be that most people here don't know if they are deficient in B12 and just going through hell. The optimal levels to fix deficiency is to have it around 500+.

 

Yeah bro, I'm pursuing it but as I mentioned somewhere some say injections are better to treat deficiency than tablets. My B12 is increasing. At least that's what it shows in blood test. And I'm feeling better as well. I will supplement till I reach around 500ish and then stop and test the 4 month theory which states that the b12 from tablets only floats around in the blood but isn't actually absorbed. In these 4 months I will not supplement b12 but just rely on natural source of b12 which for me as vegetarian is mostly from dairy products. Let's see what do we get after 4-5 months. Long process, but I guess I'll have to bear anyway because I can't get injections right now.

 

What are your current levels?

 

Oh okay cool. If I may ask what symptoms are you experiencing currently?

 

Can't with the pandemic going on. Also I'm not so sure about the 4 month theory (I mentioned somewhere above here) and that supplements don't work. I got b12 checked and it did rise and I'm feeling quite better mentally atleast. Injections should probably be the first choice for sure though.

 

I'm actually doubting my theory a bit now frankly. I've asked a few friends and family members regarding b12 levels and they seem to be doing mostly fine even if their levels are pretty low. In 3-4 cases, I've keenly observed where b12 levels are low - they have either constipation or heartburn issues or both. My family members have depression, memory issues as well and they are low on b12. Regarding energy levels, all seem to be doing pretty well. So yeah this isn't the root cause in my opinion now. Sorry to disappoint guys.

Or maybe the tablets actually don't work. I can only come to know this after 4 months of not eating them. I'll keep you updated guys. God this is frustrating!