This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

My DH has a MS diagnosis and we started him on supplement B12 since his initial values were low (400 pg/mL) . After 3 months, we did another blood test which revealed his B12 as high (1923 pg/mL)

He was taking a dosage of 2500 mcg daily. Do you think we should completely stop B12 at this point ?

@Jimmylegs, can I please get your opinion on this ?

heya, sure you can

first, units conversion factor: pg/mL 0.738 pmol/L

so the starting value was 400 x .738 = 295 pmol/L

final value 1923 x .738 = 1415 pmol/L.

question about the b12 2500mcg/d. was that all in one dose, and if so, what time of day? any sleeping troubles?

so what to do next though - you've done the megadose to correct a low level, now it's high so yes, a break from b12 supplements should be fine for a while.

in the longer term you can research possibilities for boosting regular dietary b12 intakes (so that status quo is more like 550 pmol/L, not 295).

how feasible would it be to take a break for three months, then re-test to see where the levels end up, and then re-assess dietary and supplement needs?

fyi dietary b12 info here: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tnam ... #foodchart

hth

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Thanks for the reply JimmyLegs!!!

Yes, he took it once (in the morning) and no sleeping troubles.

Actually I just noticed that he also takes one a day multi vitamin tablet which has another 18 mcg of B12 which he takes at noon.

So we are thinking this, stop the megadose tablet and continue the multi-vitamin tablet (We are vegeterians so not much of dietery help w.r.t B12) , re-check after 3 more months and see if we are stabilizing.

Sounds ok ?

Thanks a lot for your time.

yep cutting the megadose and keeping the multi sounds about right, and yes with a re-check in 3 mo.

q: does the multi have the methylcobalamin form or some other?

interesting that he took such a large dose in the am with no impacts to circadian rhythm!

q2: as vegetarians, what are you guys doing for omega 3 sources, and optimizing your O3:O6 ratio? (asking, you may know, as ex-vegan)

gtg, ttfn!

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Both the megadose and the multiple vit says cyanocobalamin and not methylcobalamin. Is that an issue ?

For omega3, he takes flax seeds and fish oil

We are waiting on other results like mg, zinc, d3 etc. , so I might come back to pick your brains more, Jimmylegs

Once again, thank you so much.

heya, methyl's better, bioavailability wise. plus the body does not have to dispose of cyanide... cyanocobalamin is more about shelf life than being the best form for your body.

fish oil - that was what i wanted to hear for the EPA and DHA.

nps, i'll be around, ttfn!

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

JimmyLegs, can I bother you one more time please

Rest of DH's results came in and we have

Vit D3 - 67 ng/mL
Zinc - 0.89 ug/mL
Calcium - 9.8 mg/dL

I don't have numbers for Mg, Uric acid etc. in front of me, but nurse said they were within above normal.

* He is currently taking Vit D3 - 5000 iu, once a day - Do you think we should continue with the same dosage or reduce the strength ?
* He also takes in a vitamin for Mg and Zinc - Should we stop that ?

Rest of his vitamin supplements are as follows

* Curcumin
* Alpha Lipoic Acid & Acetyl L-Carnitine supplement
* One a day vitamin

What would be your advice ?

k so from here you can get the conversion factors

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scale ... _data.html

67 looks to be in a good place. certainly not too high.

as for zinc, that's on the low side. if you bump up the zinc levels, the d3 should absorb better.

afaik re calcium: "reference range, 8.7-10.1 mg/dL" so perhaps a bit on the high side (only as far as serum measurements can tell you anything about overall status).

as for mag and ua, i'll be interested to see those results, if and when you get exact info.

as for
* One a day vitamin
may as well keep it up, there are a variety of important components in multis. probably not a good vitamin e source though.

and regarding
* Curcumin
* Alpha Lipoic Acid & Acetyl L-Carnitine supplement
no particular opinion!

DH could likely keep up the magnesium (depending on that forthcoming result of course) and zinc too. perhaps consider dropping to 5000 IU vit d3 every other day, then get a re-test in 3 mo when you re-do the b12.

ttfn!

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com

Awesome Information and suggestions. Thank you!!!

yvw

_________________
my approach: no meds so far - just balanced whole foods (partial 'paleo', much less outright elimination), science, supplements, & bloodwork
my regimen - www.thisisms.com/ftopict-2489.html
www.whfoods.com, www.nutritiondata.com