Menopause... or B12 Deficiency?

I’m obsessed with nutrition, and how we can heal ourselves of most diseases through conscious food choices and supplementation.  So when I stumbled upon an article in the Wall Street Journal about Vitamin B12 deficiencies being a commonly undiagnosed disorder that can have debilitating symptoms, my interest was piqued. 

The list of symptoms reads exactly like the playbook for menopause (or aging in general): confusion, poor concentration, irritability and anxiety, clumsiness, weakness, fatigue, worsening vision…. No wonder B12 deficiency is so often misdiagnosed as Thyroid Problems, Chronic Fatigue, Menopause, IBS, and Depression.

So what is it, and don’t I get enough in my multi?? B12 is an essential nutrient that affects nearly every system in our bodies, from blood cells, to nerve tissues, to DNA.  When deficiencies are left untreated, permanent neurological damage and even death can result. While most people do get enough B12 from their diets, it is estimated that up to 20% of the population have a deficiency; that number seems to be growing as more and more people turn to plant-based diets, as animal products – seafood, meat, eggs, and dairy – are a rich source of the vitamin.  One 2010 U.K. study found that 25% of vegetarians and 75% of vegans were deficient!

The problem is compounded by the fact that we become less able to absorb the vitamin as we age, and conditions like pernicious anemia, excessive use of antibiotics, abdominal surgeries, and low stomach acid all contribute.  If you think you could have a B12 deficiency, talk to your doctor about testing for Active B12, not the more common Serum B12 test, which has proven to be unreliable for diagnosis. 

The primary treatment for B12 deficiency in the U.S. is a B12 injection, which is easy to find and relatively inexpensive.  Many Aging/Weight Loss doctors offer B12 shots along with a “MIC” injection, which combines Methione, Inositol, and Choline to form a cocktail of essential nutrients; a less expensive route would be over-the-counter supplementation of 50 mcg per day, which assures adequate intake for most people.  If you have problems with absorption, high-dosage supplements (500 to 1,000 mcg) might be necessary.  There is no toxicity with B12, so you don’t have to be afraid of higher doses.

I ran right out and got the shot, but to tell the truth I can’t tell if it worked.  To be safe, I have also upped my intake of Methyl B12 to 1000 mcg per day.  It’s only been a week, but I do feel less fatigued – that 2pm slump hasn’t been quite so bad this week.  Coincidence?  Maybe.  But even if it’s in my head, I’ll take the extra energy! 

If you’ve had similar experiences, please share!