Questions about fatigue with "normal" B12 blood test

[MotherMoon]

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving my B12 was taken and was 1390. It was taken again the Wednesday before Christmas. It was 1332. During that time, I took 5000 mcg daily for methycobalamin. I also got about another 500 mcg cynocobalamin from my multivite and B100 complex. I stopped my shots prior to Thanksgiving per drs orders. (I didn't like them anyway.) I stopped the 5000 mcg B12 for 8 days prior to testing. Don't ask why, I am not sure now. Anyway, it appears that I am doing a good job with the sublingual and maintaining my level. But, I am still exhausted all the time. I really thought my level was going to be really low again because right after new years, there were three days or so that I came home from work and went straight to bed. I feel a bit better now but I am sleepy a lot of the day. I have found that once I get going though, I don't notice being tired or sleepy much. I am dealing with depression and it is generally improving but I do have bad days. I cried a lot of yesterday.

I guess is what I am wondering is I know you have said healing takes time and baby steps forward and steps back. With maintaining a "normal" level now, am I getting through the healing stages and need to investigate more the possible cause of this fatigue or should I be more patient? I am tired of telling my girls I can't do this or that cause I just want to sleep. Weekends are ok, evenings after work suck. I have already cut my hours in the afternoon. I am not sure I can much more.

Also, would working out a few times a week help? I am trying to get motivated but it is hard.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

have genetic errors in processing folic acid..which is the common form found in vitamins.

These people do better on a new activated folate called methylfolate.
You can buy this over the counter in 800 microgram tablets from Source Naturals. It is not in many mixtures at this time yet. It is relatively new.
Also I would try the activated B6 called P-5-P. There is a chance you are not converting pyridoxine into its active form. Rose, here, can comment on your B12 levels, and healing rates, etc.

However, fatigue is a very common symptom.
Have you been tested for anemia?
Had a blood sugar test lately? Fatigue will be first symptom of diabetes.
These are the two most common causes of "fatigue".

A thorough check up at the doctor is advised, before you go further with supplements.
If everything checks out okay, you then might consider SAMe. This is very energizing. (SAMe is involved with methylation and B12 and folate and B6.)

Some people find eating more protein and less carbs, helps with alertness and fatigue. Carbs make some people very sleepy. Keeping breakfast and lunch mainly protein...and using carbs at dinner, can help you get thru your day better.

[rose]

Regarding the B12, it is good that you stopped the B12 days prior to test samples. However, 8 days is a very short time and doesn't say a whole lot about how you store.

And the quantity you have been taking and the result of the test indicate that it is likely you malabsorb severely. Do keep it up. Yes, repairs can take years and entail lots of ups and downs.

Even if you malabsorb moderately it is likely that you do not absorb iron well. Among other things (including what mrsdoubtfyre suggests), I hope you will get a ferritin test to see where your iron stores stand. It is a much more sensitive test than the usual ones. You may need iron.

rose