Vitamin B12 and D Deficiency

[mountainsoft]

Long story... Early last year my blood pressure rose to a point that I decided to start taking medication to lower it. I tried a number of different meds including Lisinopril, Hydrochlorothiazine, and Losartan, all with nasty side effects that caused me to switch to different meds. I'm now on Amlodipine and Metoprolol which I have tolerated fairly well so far.

Sometime around last summer I started developing bad back pain, with no obvious cause. I've had back pain on and off most of my life, didn't think much of it. Tried over the counter NSAIDS but no help. Muscle spasms were getting really bad so asked doc for muscle relaxer. These always worked in the past, but did little to help this time. The pain was becoming chronic, about 9 months so far, in two different areas.

Then around last November I started having Premature Atrial Contractions (PAC's). Very scary, including an ambulance trip to the ER. Fluttering and pressure in my chest, tingling in my hands and feet, hot feelings in my head and neck. Everything came back OK, but despite docs telling me not to worry about it, some days were really bad and left me feeling weak and horrible for days.

I've spent the last year feeling weak, unmotivated, low on energy, barely able to function due to back pain, and frankly a little scared about what was going on.

I tried reducing alcohol and caffeine, but didn't notice any connection with the PAC's. I tried taking magnesium supplements, but those didn't help much either.

So, I went back to the doc and asked for more tests and blood work. He noticed my B12 and D readings were both low. I was still within the "normal" range, but definitely near the bottom. So he suggested I take 1000mcg B12 and 1000 iu D. It seemed like a goofy thing to worry about with everything else going on, but I decided to give them a try.

Within 2-3 days of starting B12 and D the back pain I had suffered with for months was gone. I have energy again and have enjoyed getting out and being active. Surprisingly, I haven't had more than one minor PAC since I started taking them either. Heck, even my sexual performance has improved. I feel like the old me again, a brand new man. My blood pressure is down to 115/75 (still on meds), and I'm even losing a little weight.

I can't say for sure the B12 and D was the "cure" but wow do I feel better now. I still have an echocardiogram next week to check out my heart more, but whatever happens it's good to be able to enjoy life again.

[daylatedollarshort]

Good to hear your success story. I have to take D and B12 supplements, too, based on my lab work. I'm working my way towards testing every nutrient, many biomarkers and microbiome tests. I can't think of a better use of my money.

[HenryD]

Glad you are feeling better. As I understand it B12 deficiency, and D at higher latitudes, is pretty common.

[rodi]

deficiency in D is common in older women... Like many women I take supplements.

B-12 is also good for helping regulate the brain's neurotransmitters. So good for reducing stress/anxiety.

Glad it solved these other problems!!!

[audreyh1]

Wow!

[Winemaker]

I have never had a Vit B12 issue or D, until recently. W*rking underground for most of my life my PCP monitored my Vit D on an annual basis. Now that I'm retired almost 8 years, I have been on prescription Vit D for almost a year, and can't seem to get the level up to the required level. I spend way much more time outsidenow. B12 has been good. While I expect aches and pains at 64, I never noticed a correlation with my pain and Vitamin intake. I also take 2 Preservisions/day per my eye doctor.

[H2ODude]

I'd never been tested for either (71), when Dr. did two years ago prescribed 50,000 unit pill of D weekly followed by over the counter. Did B-12 injections monthly. After the first one I was like a new man, mentally and physically. It was amazing. Settled back to normal and was disappointed that the following monthlies didn't seem to affect me. On OTC B-12 now. FWIW have heard of many physicians saying about half of us need the D3. Also remember reading D3 MAY help w Covid. I'm due for my annual "medicare wellness" checkup, am going to ask for a B-12 test to see if the pills are doing their job.

[tmm99]

Wow, that's kind of amazing, especially because the amount of D you're taking is quite low (IMHO). Your B12 dosage is relatively high if you compare it with the daily requirement, but it's the standard amount a lot of people take.

[kcowan]

Thanks for the tips. I will get them tested this month.

[daylatedollarshort]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmm99 Wow, that's kind of amazing, especially because the amount of D you're taking is quite low (IMHO). Your B12 dosage is relatively high if you compare it with the daily requirement, but it's the standard amount a lot of people take.

I have repeatedly tested my B12 levels to get the right supplement dosage. For me that is only 1/3 of a 500 mcg tablet a day.

I only take 600 IU of vitamin D. When I take more my blood pressure goes up, even if I space it out during the day. I'm still trying to figure that out, since I'm not in the optimal vitamin D range yet, but at least it is better than it was.

[mountainsoft]

I never gave much thought to vitamin intake. We eat a fairly healthy diet and I thought I got a decent amount of sun exposure. Since my readings were always in the "standard" ranges, they never really stood out on the blood work either. I still have a hard time believing a couple vitamins could have that much effect, but I don't have any other explanation why so many conditions improved within a couple days of starting them.

Doc said he recommends everyone here in the PNW take D due to our grey fall and winters. As for B12, he said you can't really take too much, you'll just pee out what you don't need. I have no idea, but if it works I'm sold.

This last year has been a whirlwind of health conditions. I seemed to have every side effect in the book with BP meds, the back pain was unbearable, and the PAC's came out of nowhere and I couldn't find any cause.

Time will tell, but so far I feel great and everything is looking promising.

[Dreamer]

Great to hear!

[jollystomper]

That is great. Back in my early 30's when I started getting thorough physicals I was diagnosed with B12 and D deficiencies and have taken supplements since then. I think it has been worth it. I also take a couple of BP meds, but overall I have never felt any side effects.

[pacergal]

Good to hear of your improvement.
Yep, anyone in PNW probably needs extra Vit D--lol
We take supplements of both D and B12 also.

[eytonxav]

My big vitamin revelation came from taking a multi-vitamin. I have had life long low HDL, typically around 37-38. PCP said more cardio which did nothing to improve it. Then I started to take a life extension two a day multi-vitamin and my HDL levels have consistently been around 45. Nothing else changed in my life so I attribute the improvement to the B vitamins in the multi.

[mountainsoft]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFW_M5 My big vitamin revelation came from taking a multi-vitamin. I have had life long low HDL, typically around 37-38. PCP said more cardio which did nothing to improve it. Then I started to take a life extension two a day multi-vitamin and my HDL levels have consistently been around 45. Nothing else changed in my life so I attribute the improvement to the B vitamins in the multi.

Interesting. I've always had a low HDL reading too, even though all my other numbers were fine. Diet and exercise never changed it, always in the mid 30's. It will be interesting to see if the B12 or D vitamins have any effect going forward.

[audreyh1]

Going low carb and eating more fat raised my HDL quite a bit. Also fish oil had increased it some previously.

These days I routinely have low triglycerides (also due to low carb) and high HDL thus a triglycerides/HDL ratio under 1 which is considered to be optimal for low heart disease risk.

[Lakedog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 Going low carb and eating more fat raised my HDL quite a bit. Also fish oil had increased it some previously. These days I routinely have low triglycerides (also due to low carb) and high HDL thus a triglycerides/HDL ratio under 1 which is considered to be optimal for low heart disease risk.

+1

My HDL increased from around 45 to 80+ and triglycerides dropped from 90's to consistently around 25-35 after going low carb. No supplements or change in exercise.

[tmm99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakedog +1 My HDL increased from around 45 to 80+ and triglycerides dropped from 90's to consistently around 25-35 after going low carb. No supplements or change in exercise.

That's a substantial increase/decrease of HDL/triglycerides. Are you doing just lowcarb or lowcarb/high fat?

[Lakedog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmm99 That's a substantial increase/decrease of HDL/triglycerides. Are you doing just lowcarb or lowcarb/high fat?

Low carb/high fat

Since both were in acceptable ranges prior to going LCHF, I was surprised that there was such an improvement.