Low B 12 Blood Count

Been around 3 years since my last treatments and 2 years in remission. I started with a new primary Doctor a few months ago and she ordered some blood tests. Apparently the B 12 reading is really low because the lab called me and wanted to know which Doctor they should notify. Been reading about all of it and just wondering has anyone gone thru this and did the B 12 supplements actually have any benifits. Kind of excited they might have found a simple thing to make me feel better.

I had low B12 (pernicious anemia) diagnosed about 5 years after I was diagnosed, it is common with the surgery I have, I get injections occasionally and the odd blood test, it is no big deal, my gp deals with it.

On Nov 09, 2012 11:31 AM wvleroyhayes wrote:

Been around 3 years since my last treatments and 2 years in remission. I started with a new primary Doctor a few months ago and she ordered some blood tests. Apparently the B 12 reading is really low because the lab called me and wanted to know which Doctor they should notify. Been reading about all of it and just wondering has anyone gone thru this and did the B 12 supplements actually have any benifits. Kind of excited they might have found a simple thing to make me feel better.

Hello,

I read your post and it brought back bad memories!

I was on Sutent for over two  and a half years, during this time I was terribly sick.  About half way through the ordeal, I had a spell where I could not tell anyone my husband and son's name...they thought I had suffered a stroke and ran all kind of tests.  I finally came out of it and several months later I had the problem again and they kept me in the hospital this time.  Praises to the doctor that took my case; he stayed on it until he had the answer for my strange behavior......my Thyroid and B-12 count were extremely low!

I started Sutent in 2006, and the doctor said that when it came out that the oncologists did not know to keep a watch on the Thyroid and B-12 level.

My Thyroid medication was increased and I still get a B-12 injection every week.  My doctor prescribes the B-12 medication and my husband gives me the injections here at home.

My kidney was removed on March, 2010.  I just had a checkup last week and all was still good!  Praises to God!  I have been off of all chemo since the month before my surgery.

I think you will feel much better if you get the injections; it works much better than the tablets of B-12.

Take care and stay strong.

Prayers and blessings,

B

Even though it's been around three years since chemo was over I still am week and short of breath. Just wondering if this will help some with all that. Survived long enough to look at things in years now and can see lots of  improvement year to year. I just get kind of frustrated with , is this as good as it is going to get as far as recovering. Doesn't help I have aged 5 years during all this on top of everything else. I have tried not self diagnose myself with the symptoms of low b12, but like you where talking about, the memory problems, I completely get lost sometimes while driving , doesn't last long, kind of all of a sudden I see something that brings me back. That has gotten better, was really bad two years ago. Shortness of breath really slows me down, I read lack of B12 can cause that too. Guess we will see huh? I see the Doc the 20th . I'll let you know how this goes.

Oh, and from what I have read the tablets wouldn't work. I would think my body isn't absorbing it maybe. It sure isn't my diet and I read chemo can cause your stomach to not absorb the vitamin. Also if you have had surgery on the lower intestines ,that can cause your body to not absorb it. I had 9 months of chemo and a part of my intestine removed to make me a bladder. Sure hope it helps, because I'm a fool and push myself to the limit and then I'm on my ass for a month beat down tired and hurting.

Hi Leroy,

I think you will notice a consideralbe improvement if you start getting a B-12 injectioin once a week.  I get 1.5 ML of 1000 mcg/mL a week.  If I go over a week without the injection, I notice myself getting more short of breath and tired.

Keep in touch and let me know if it helps you.

Researchers are working everyday to help us all beat this horrible monster!  I think it is amazing that the doctors were able to make you a bladder!

Everyday is a blessing............

This is the day that the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it!

Prayers and blessings,

B

I said I'd let you know how it went. I had my first B12 injection the day before Thanksgiving. D2 also was almost non existent in my blood also and I started Drisdol, D2 the day after Thanksgiving. Knock on wood, but I have been pain free for the last three days for the first time in a few years. I can't tell much difference in my breathing yet but I do have more energy. I have another B12 injection Dec 5th. I will keep you updated.

On Nov 14, 2012 11:32 AM wvleroyhayes wrote:

Oh, and from what I have read the tablets wouldn't work. I would think my body isn't absorbing it maybe. It sure isn't my diet and I read chemo can cause your stomach to not absorb the vitamin. Also if you have had surgery on the lower intestines ,that can cause your body to not absorb it. I had 9 months of chemo and a part of my intestine removed to make me a bladder. Sure hope it helps, because I'm a fool and push myself to the limit and then I'm on my ass for a month beat down tired and hurting.

Hi, just a note to let you know that in my case, the B12 tablets do work.  I had Whipple surgery for pancreatic cancer 10 years ago.  The surgery removes a lot of stuff, including the duodenum.  When my B12 numbers went down, the doctor asked me to take supplements for six months and see what happened.  It worked for me, and still does.  I was skeptical at first because I did not think the tablets would be absorbed due to my new plumbing.  I researched (it has been many years ago) and found a medical research paper issued by the military that tested B12 tablets and found it worked as well as injections (in most cases).  The big difference is speed.  If you have a serious deficiency that is causing serious symptoms, the B12 injections work very quickly.  Some people do not mind taking the injections, I prefer tablets if possible.  Either should work for almost everyone.  You may want to try the tablets if you haven't already and see if they help.  My numbers were not producing symptoms and were found in routine blood tests I have every six months.  I take 500 micrograms of B12 daily.  You may want to try a higher dosage since as I recall, the research paper I read put one group on 2000 micrograms daily.  From my understanding, B12 supplements are harmless unless you take them in extreme dosages.  Of course, you should discuss this with your doctor before making any decision.   Best wishes to you.

I don't know the dosage but we nixed the idea of tablets after all the chemo and a piece of the lower intestine was removed. After reading about this all the D2 may help with pain more than the B12. I try and not take pain pills. I'd rather have some Crown Royal and a doobie than take those things.

Not to mention the price, medicare pays for the injections, they wouldn't for the tablets.