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Excess B12 possibly causing numbness and tingling

Posted by persistentc @persistentc, Mar 14 7:53am

At a recent visit with my PCP, I asked her to run some labs. One of them, B12, came back at excessively high levels. This can cause numbness and tingling in your hands and feet! I had been told that you can never take too much B12 because anything your body doesn't need is excreted in the urine. But after doing a little searching on the internet I discovered that Methotrexate, which I take for auto-immune issues, can cause the body to retain the excess B12. I have just started infusions of Simponi to replace the use of Methotrexate. I will post again after I have been off the Methotrexate, which my rheumatologist says can't happen for a few months until the Simponi kicks in. However, I wanted others to be aware of this possible cause. As a note, the PN did not start until AFTER I began taking Methotrexate, so I am pretty hopeful this may lead to some relief in a few months!

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persistentc | @persistentc | Jul 22 3:24pm
In reply to @seekingsanders1957 "I also started experiencing numbness & tingling in my arms & legs about a month ago...." + (show)
Profile picture for seekingsanders1957 @seekingsanders1957

I also started experiencing numbness & tingling in my arms & legs about a month ago. I had a B12 test taken and it came back 1535 which is significantly elevated. I was initially advised to take a B12 supplement because I am vegan. I was basically told that it was probably neuropathy after seeing a doctor. I am diabetic but my blood sugars levels have always been controlled. I think it's the elevated B12 levels, but my question is how long it will take for my B12 levels to fall back within normal ranges (days, weeks or months)? I stopped taking the B12 supplement two weeks ago, but I am still experiencing the tingling & numbness. I would appreciate any insights regarding this dilemma.

Sincerely John Sanders

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I stopped the B12 back in March. My levels were taken again last week, and they were still quite high, not at toxic levels, but WAY above the normal range. The reading I have done since then suggests it may take YEARS for the B12 to be excreted.

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seekingsanders1957 | @seekingsanders1957 | Jul 22 4:17pm

Hello, I appreciate the reply to my inquiry and your information. Oh, my I was hoping it would not take years, but I will take another B12 test in 3 months to check my levels. Thanks

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persistentc | @persistentc | Jul 23 8:51am
In reply to @jankavs "I had b12 level at 2000 when I went to hospital for my symptoms that got..." + (show)
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I had b12 level at 2000 when I went to hospital for my symptoms that got so bad that I thought I might have had a stroke (before any diagnosis). I was told to just stop it altogether for awhile, but not told when to resume. I am vegan, so I resumed supplementation at a much lower dose about 3 months later. I now take 500 mg about 4 days per week.

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Did you mean mcg? 500 mg would be a LOT!

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jankavs | @jankavs | Jul 23 3:05pm
In reply to @persistentc "Did you mean mcg? 500 mg would be a LOT!" + (show)
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Did you mean mcg? 500 mg would be a LOT!

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Yes! 500 mcg of methylcobalamin.

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persistentc | @persistentc | Aug 1 7:33pm
In reply to @seekingsanders1957 "Hello, I appreciate the reply to my inquiry and your information. Oh, my I was hoping..." + (show)
Profile picture for seekingsanders1957 @seekingsanders1957

Hello, I appreciate the reply to my inquiry and your information. Oh, my I was hoping it would not take years, but I will take another B12 test in 3 months to check my levels. Thanks

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Please let us know how it turns out!

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seekingsanders1957 | @seekingsanders1957 | Aug 1 8:17pm
In reply to @persistentc "Please let us know how it turns out!" + (show)
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Please let us know how it turns out!

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I absolutely will, best regards

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seekingsanders1957 | @seekingsanders1957 | Aug 1 9:41pm
In reply to @persistentc "I stopped the B12 back in March. My levels were taken again last week, and they..." + (show)
Profile picture for persistentc @persistentc

I stopped the B12 back in March. My levels were taken again last week, and they were still quite high, not at toxic levels, but WAY above the normal range. The reading I have done since then suggests it may take YEARS for the B12 to be excreted.

Jump to this post

Hello, can you provide some references materials that you read regarding the time frame for B12 being excreted.

Sincerely John S

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