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Does Vitamin B-12 help with neuropathy?

Neuropathy | Last Active: Apr 26 8:40am | Replies (73)
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@johnbishop

Hi @bulgebattler, The only information I've seen or read is about B12 deficiency and the need to monitor for it. But I did find an interesting article on the possibility of too much B12. I have no medical training or background but the way I read the article is high levels of B12 are not toxic but if you have high levels it can indicate other health issues.

B12 deficiency related:

Indicators for assessing folate and vitamin B-12 status and for monitoring the efficacy of intervention strategies
-- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3142735/
Expert recommends annual monitoring, injections of vitamin B12 for long-term metformin users
-- https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/news/print/hemonc-today/%7B01b7451f-5f04-4de5-a97d-aac607bc3f21%7D/expert-recommends-annual-monitoring-injections-of-vitamin-b12-for-long-term-metformin-users

And there's this one that talks about the possibility of too much B12 and why:
Are You Overdoing It On The B12?
-- http://www.phlabs.com/are-you-overdoing-it-on-the-b12

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Replies to "Hi @bulgebattler, The only information I've seen or read is about B12 deficiency and the need..."
elained | @elained | Feb 15, 2019

My B12 level was greater than 1500 on a scale of 123-720 in 2012. At that time I was taking very large doses of the Vitamin B12 called Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12).

I was hoping Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12) would cause healing of my damaged nerves. I took a very large dose several times a day for nearly two years. I had no improvement. And I had no negative side effects from the large dose.

However, I understand that there can be problems for people who also have kidney problems, particularly diabetic neuropathic kidney disease, (since excess Vitamin B is excreted through the kidneys). By the way, I had NO idea neuropathic kidney disease existed!
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-vitamin-b12
My neuropathies aren't caused by a Vitamin deficiency, so it makes sense that extra Vitamins can't really help.

I have hated my neuropathy, I have struggled against it, I have sorrow and I have grieved. Now I have some level of acceptance (I hope), and fortunately I have reasonable relief of pain. But I must take my medication (gabapentin) regularly or the burning returns.

Thank goodness for the medications that give me relief.

Regards, ElaineD

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