Brain fog and B12 deficiency

[rohitkumar1983]

I am a 27 year old male from India. I have observed decline in my cognitive abilities over the years. My job demands lot of abstract thinking. I often feel that I am lacking clarity in my head when I try to explain something or try to understand something complicated. It takes a lot of time for me to focus on my work or to get organized. I get very easily distracted. I very easily forget what I was working on 5 minutes back. Many a time I keep staring at the computer screen without doing anything productive.I know I was not like this few years back. I have been diagnosed with low vitamin B12 (serum level is 205, lab min. was 211) last fortnight. Homocystine level was slightly elevated, but methylmenonic test was normal. It's been confirmed that I don't have anemia. I think there is issue with absorption of B12 in my body. I am taking 500 mcg shots of methycobal per week, apart from taking oral pills. The reason I was suggested a B12 test, was because of mild depression. I feel that the brain fog thing might be related to B12 deficiency, but I have heard that it can take months before B12 symptoms go away. Other symptoms I have is:

1) Lower back spasms, while sitting near tailbone. I already feel it's improved after B12 shots.
2) Tinnitus. Once or twice a month since childhood.
3) Mood disorder and mild depression. I have tried paxil, but didn't help. B12 is helping again I guess.
4) Get irritated easily.
5) Mouth sores since childhood which come and go.
6) Have been treated for 5 years in childhood on carbamazepine for epilepsy. Never had an attack for the last 10 years.
So, my question is: is there any way to quantify my loss of cognitive ability or memory loss. I have heard of brain mri and nerve conduction velocity test. Will they help? I want to be 100% sure if there is any underlying medical issue here or not, because I certainly feel I am becoming more stupid day by day.

[seanobriain]

Hi there,

I have had issues with brain-fog also, and suffer the exact same problems as you. I would suggest a few things for you. My problems stem from mercury toxicity from dental amalgams, but it's a small part of a wider issue.

Taking B12 supplementation on it's own won't resolve the problem if you have certain genetic mutations . I'd suggest looking into the MTHFR gene and it's mutations. You may require methylfolate along with your b12, but some other genetic mutations might also be required to be tackled beforehand.

To alleviate your symptoms, cut out sugar, gluten and processed food. It will absolutely help with the brain fog. Should reduce it by 50% at least. Also, I've found that regular sauna use helps also.

I completely empathise with your situation. I had a few drinks 2 nights ago (I rarely ever drink) and I have horrid brain fog as a result of it. It's impossible to concentrate on my studies at the moment. I had an incredibly high IQ as a teenager in school, and I feel as a result of brain fog my IQ has been seriously diminished. Sometimes maintaining a conversation is a chore.

If you need any help with this issue, hit me up with a message on twitter @seanobriain or on skype "dlofnep" - I've been researching it for almost 9 years.

[Arif71]

I have been also suffering from brain fog from last 3 years .Few days back , I consulted with one Neuro-psychiatrist who instructed me to do some test Ts4, B12 and D3.And Doctor found B12(150) and D3(22) deficiency in my test report  then he prescribed me some supplements and last one months I am taking those supplement regularly.Even after that I am not seeing any improvement. One thing I forgot to mention that is "actually I have digestion problem I cannot digest fatty food like milk and some other. Now I am really in great trouble cause recently I have completed my graduation .I was called for several job interview but I couldn't prove myself because of brain fog.I have good academic knowledge even after that I cannot answer properly. What I intend to say it doesn't come in my my instant and before saying anything I have to organise the sentence to deliver which is really embarrassing.I am looking for a wise suggestion to get rid of this bitter painful problem.Thanks in advance.

[Arif71]

I have been also suffering from brain fog from last 3 years .Few days back , I consulted with one Neuro-psychiatrist who instructed me to do some test Ts4, B12 and D3.And Doctor found B12(150) and D3(22) deficiency in my test report  then he prescribed me some supplements and last one months I am taking those supplement regularly.Even after that I am not seeing any improvement. One thing I forgot to mention that is "actually I have digestion problem I cannot digest fatty food like milk and some other. Now I am really in great trouble cause recently I have completed my graduation .I was called for several job interview but I could not prove myself because of brain fog.I have good academic knowledge even after that I cannot answer properly. What I intend to say it doesn't come in my my instant and before saying anything I have to organize the sentence to deliver which is really embarrassing.I am looking for a wise suggestion to get rid of this bitter painful problem.Thanks in advance.

[rohitkumar1983]

My blood work showed that I am Vitamin D deficient. Normal value is > 30, whereas I had 14. I have started suppliments from today, lets see how it goes.

[rohitkumar1983]

Thanks for replying. That's one test I haven't taken yet. I will find out my D3 levels.

[lilac5]

Have you had your D3 levels tested? I had brain fog, constant lower back pain and mild depression. My blood work showed I was deficient in D3. After taking a prescription vitamin D3 for 3 months I felt great!

[rohitkumar1983]

Hello, still waiting for a response from you, in case you missed my previous post. I was wondering what more tests I can get done to find the root cause of the problem. I am really desperate for a solution the brain fog and memory issue is affecting my life very badly. My confidence has gone for a toss. I heard of cortisol test, will that help? Or some mineral and other hormone tests? I am avoiding seeing a neurologist as I fear he will give me depression medicine like the previous doctor I visited, which didn't help at all. Even though I might be depressed that's because of my inability to function at levels I could function before. So, I think depression is the effect rather than cause.

[rohitkumar1983]

Hi, I am back to the forum after a break. As advised, I got an MRI and a thyroid panel done. Both were normal. Also, my B12 levels are > 900 now, as I am taking sublingual tablets of B12. But still I seem to be having foggy and slow thinking. Short term memory hasn't improved either. Problems which involve thinking deep overwhelm me. Find it hard to focus, even small chores seem like a big burden. Feel no motivation at all. I also seem to have anxiety issues and always feel stressed out. Have heard that brain fog can be related to anxiety and stress. But not sure what is the cause and what is the effect here.

[Londres70]

Your B level is not coming up.  I would repeat the thyroid panel since it has been a year, get the MRI to rule out anything going on in the brain itself; your PCP/Family Physician should be able to order all this before referring you out.  Either this is a metabolic problem and/or a problem with the brain itself.  

[rohitkumar1983]

Thanks for you response. I got B12 level tested only 2 weeks back when it was 205. I will take shots for 2 more weeks and get tested again. No, no other abnormal labs.

[Londres70]

If he/she is competent, he/she will order one.

What are your b12 levels now?   Any other abnormal labs?  

[rohitkumar1983]

I had a thyroid test last year and it was negative. I think I will go for an MRI as you suggested. Do you think with these symptoms a neurologist should readily suggest an MRI scan, because I will have to find one who suggests it?

[Londres70]

I would recommend an MRI with CONTRAST and a serum thyroid panel for starts.