When will B12 deficiency symptoms stop?

[jacquimac71]

I am a 40 year old woman who went to the GP 7 weeks ago with a range of symptoms, thinking I was starting early menopause. The GP did a number of tests. I am not in menopause but am deficient in B12 (172) and folate. I have been on B12 tablets for 6 weeks and now have a B12 level of 311. My folate is still low, but have not been given a supplement for that.
However my symptoms are all still there. Tingly and numb fingers, weepy, irritable, memory loss, hair loss and exhausted all the time. How long will it take for these to improve? Also should I take a folic acid supplement to improve the folate, would this help with my symptoms? Thanks. Jacquimac

[seattlemom2plus]

Have you tried the liquid B12?

[Red_Star]

It should take a few months.  I highly recommend sublingual (under the tongue) B12 in spray form.  No need to wait for tablets to dissolve and is very effective at boosting B12 levels.  You are still in a B12 deficiency state (500 - 550ng/mL is the lowest acceptable B12 serum level in Europe and Japan). Optimal B12 serum levels are over 800pg/mL.

Nerve damage can take up to a year to repair. After that, the damage is usually permanent.  Folate is trapped in an unusable form without enough vitamin B12 so you should see folate levels rise along with your B12 levels.  If folate is still low, then supplement along with B12.