Trying to find relief

@anxiousaphrodite
Are you vegan or vegetarian? How is your iron level?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can definitely cause neuropathy numbness, pins and needles and tingling throughout your body. How long have you been on the vitamin B12 supplement? What is the dosage of the supplement? It may take a while to bring up your B12 level and for your body to heal.

Have you had your thyroid checked (TSH, T3, T4 and TPO blood panel)?

Hello @anxiousaphrodite, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @dlydailyhope and others. B12 deficiency may be a reason for your neuropathy symptoms but I would recommend seeing a neurologist. Here's some information from Mayo Clinic on your question:

"Left untreated, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to anemia, fatigue, muscle weakness, intestinal problems, nerve damage and mood disturbances."
- Vitamin B-12 - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-b12/art-20363663

You might also find the following discussion helpful:
-- Vitamin B12 deficiency and small fiber neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vitamin-b12-deficiency-and-small-fiber-neuropathy/

A Neurologist recommended B12 Sublingual once a week. I have been taking it for 3 months but haven’t noticed any improvement. Should I wait longer to realize the effects?

I was only vegetarian 10 years ago for 2 years. I eat pretty well most things that contain b12, fish, meat, dairy. I don’t know why I have the deficiency. I’ve been on 1200 b12 supplements for the last 4 weeks, I feel almost worse than when I started.
I had my thyroid checked the same time I got this diagnosis. And my doc never mentioned anything about my iron.

@nebrannie49
How much vitamin b12 (mcg) are you getting each week? Have you had your bloodwork done again to check your b12 level?

@anxiousaphrodite
Did they check only TSH for your thyroid and what was the result? They should also check with an expanded panel T3, T4 and TPO/antibodies.

Do you have a very heavy menstrual cycle? You should also have your iron checked with a full panel (IRON, TRANSFERRIN, TIBC and % SATURATION).

My doctors missed my thyroid autoimmune Hashimoto’s and iron deficiency because they only looked at TSH and CBC (didn’t do full/expanded panels). You also need to check if your results are at the low or high end of the reference ranges because what is abnormal for you may be “normal” for others.

Do you have gastrointestinal issues like gastritis? Do you drink alcohol? This can affect b12 absorption. Also, certain medications or autoimmune disorders can affect b12 absorption. Have you seen a gastroenterologist or rheumatologist?

@anxiousaphrodite

Here are some links about b12 deficiency:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22831-vitamin-b12-deficiency

2. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/disorders-of-nutrition/vitamins/vitamin-b12-deficiency

3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms

4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324265

5. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780

6. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia

No I don’t think it was extensive blood work, just complete?. I’m going to screen shot your reply to have those checked.
My doc said at my age it’s not always urgent to get all bloodwork done (I just turned 33) but if I hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have known about my b12.
I don’t know regarding the conditions (I will ask to get these checked) but I do consume alcohol. Not large amounts, I cut down on my drinking a lot in the last year but I did consume a lot more prior. Do you think this is the cause?

1 supplement per day plus what I eat.
1200 mcg on the bottle ?

Thank you