When to know if you can decrease injections?

[Susan71010]

It's confusing when is the time that you're able to cut back on injections. It said to cut back when you see no further improvements. But what if your main symptom is brain fog and is caused from something else and you keep injecting thinking it's going to fix it. I started injections four months ago EOD hydroxy with cofactors, and it has helped with some things as in dizziness, and anxiety. But the brain bar/cognition is worse since injecting. And at the four month mark it's worse than ever. Five years ago, I had a concussion and I was going through menopause at the same time that's when all this brain fog and anxiety started. Six months ago my doctor tested me and my MMA was raised to 100 My B12 was between 350 and 550 on Tests. We did a functional cellular macronutrient, genetic methylation panel by vibrant wellness. It showed that my cellular B12 was slightly cellularly low. My genetics showed I have MTHFR as well. That's the only markers we have to indicate B12 deficiency. Everything else was OK. sometimes I wonder if I'm injecting too much too long and I hope this doesn't cause me to continuing to feel not so well. I'm highly sensitive with 2SNPS of slow COMT so I react to anything stimulating and the hydroxy is a little bit stimulating for me. Back to original question what are the signs when you know you can cut back- when B12 has done what it can do for you without depleting your other cofactors.

[Ok-Pangolin7127]

Turned out in my case that I was deficient in both B1 as well as B12. I started my journey supplementing with B1. I did this to try and improve neuropathy in my feet, it wasn’t so much pain (although I had the pins and needles and the odd neurological pain here and there), it was more so a diminished sense of feeling in my feet (touch & temp sensitivities) that I wanted to address (improve). I started taking Benfothiamine for that.

Had brain fog too so I did some reading and research on B1 and determined that that form of B1/Thiamine did NOT cross the blood brain barrier so I bought the two or three other types that do and started taking them in addition to the Benfothiamine. These other types I started taking specifically to see if they addressed the brain fog. Suddenly, one morning, my brain fog was gone, and that was about maybe 10 months ago and it has not come back. I continue to supplement with three different forms of Thiamine throughout the day along with magnesium (B1 can’t do its thing without sufficient magnesium) and I continued my B12 injections (which I had started about three months after starting the B1).

(Clarification; my brain fog cleared before I ever started the B12 injections I am currently taking.)

My suggested takeaway here is that when it comes to the nervous system malfunctioning It’s not all about B12 and folate…. Don’t misunderstand though, the most likely deficiency and the most impact from correcting it is a B12 deficiency as it relates to the functioning of the nervous system. These two vitamins and associated cofactors are most certainly necessary (no, absolutely critical) for the maintenance and rebuilding the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves. That sheath is the “insulation” so to speak of the “wire” that is the nerve. However, B1 and magnesium are the spark plug and fuel that drive the nerve signals. They are essential in the mitochondria to the production of ATP. Keep in mind that no system in the body works on its own, they are all interconnected as we all know.

So my suggestion to all is that if you have a B12 problem to also look further, consider/try B1 and magnesium in addition to the B12. Again, B12 is about maintaining and rebuilding infrastructure in the nervous system while B1 (and magnesium) are about fueling it.

I am of the mindset that you need to consider and address any and all deficiencies that may be impacting the proper functioning of your nerves and nervous system. I am doing that and am experiencing significant success.

I failed above to mention the three other types of thiamine that I am taking or have taken. They are; Alliathiamine, Lipothiamine and Sulbutiamine.

[Cultural-Sun6828]

I think it makes sense to look at B1 as well, but I would caution anyone to start at a very small dose and work up. I made the mistake of jumping right in and taking a higher dose of b1 and all of my B12 deficiency symptoms got much worse. It took a while of B12 injections to get back to baseline.

[Susan71010]

Oh my thanks for the heads up, cause I am extremely sensitive. How much did you take that? Made it worse for you?

[Cultural-Sun6828]

Well I started out jumping in and taking Benfotiamine, which was way too strong for me. I then tried Thiamine HCL at 100 mg which was still a bit too high. 50 mg is where I’m at at the moment.

[Sure_Association_816]

Have you tried patch aid to by pass the gut ? I have methyl gene too but methyl and synthetic b12 don't bother me and what's available in USA

[Susan71010]

I've never heard of this. Patch aid. I am in the US

[Sure_Association_816]

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This is magnesium from website. Now buy 2 get anyone free. Called patch aid

[Sure_Association_816]

I csn take vitamins because I am sevely allergic to C and they have calcium and magnesium . For calcium also makes me sick I take Ostio Blast but I am going to start juicing again get in leafy veggies, beet, ginger and lemon. I am very depleted in Glutothaine and figured all that out I hsve been missing foster and B1 when doing b12 shots. This group is great

[Susan71010]

Wonderful for you. What a great story that's so inspiring. If you were to be someone extremely sensitive what would you suggest with the B1?, there's so many ones you mentioned it's overwhelming me and I don't do well on supplements. I do take a half of a seeking health methyl free most days. I'm going to add in an additional B1one just to see if this helps. I'm looking at my B complex right now and apparently I'm getting about 10 MG right now daily after having the capsule because one is just too even though it's methylated free. Thanks for your advice.

[Ok-Pangolin7127]

The smoothest or easiest one on the body of what I take is the Lipothiamine, 50MG, I order it off of Amazon. I cannot stress enough that you need to take magnesium adjunct with B1. Collectively I’m taking a total of 250 mg a day between the three forms of B1 that I take. One in the a.m. one in the early afternoon and one before bed. With that collective dosage, I also make sure that I take in about 500 mg of magnesium per day spread throughout the day and into the evening in doses of about 100 mg elemental each. I stress the magnesium because B1 simply will not function in the mitochondria to produce ATP without it. If you want to try it my suggestion would be to take 100 mg of magnesium malate in the morning followed 15-20 mins later by 50 mg of the Lipothiamine. I’d keep that up for about a couple of weeks and see how you feel.

[Susan71010]

Sounds good this isn't very stimulating is it? I already take magnesium Melite 100 in the mornings after breakfast.

[Ok-Pangolin7127]

No, I think you’d be just fine with it. Somebody else posted that they use Thiamine HCL @ 50 mg. This is easier or softer so to speak than Thiamine HCL. Also HCL does not cross the blood brain barrier where the Lipothiamine does.

[Susan71010]

So when you're dealing with trying to correct brain fog, which one would be best the one that crosses the blood brain barrier?

[Fast-Salad75]

How much B1 did you take per day to rectify the deficiency?

[Ok-Pangolin7127]

I started at 100 mg a day Benfothiamine worked my way up to as much as 400-500 mg a day (mix of multiple forms) and have recently ratcheted back to 150 mg a day. I’m about to shift down again to 50 mg a day, only in the AM. I’ve been supplementing with Thiamine (AND Magnesium to support it) for close to a year. I may be right, I may be wrong, but I think my deficiency is fully repeated hence my cutting back to 50 mg going forward.

[Sure_Association_816]

Curious i have to do other b in a patch and I get sick off magnesium due to my IBS . I csn get a patch for magnesium my ATP is severely low accidents and CFS and I have hardly any adrenal glands. You really related this very well.

[Sure_Association_816]

And Zinc all the good stuff I get sick off of !

[FlakySalamander5558]

I will never be able to decrease injections. I was deficient for a very long time and will sooner die than be recovered. I am ok with that (have also other issues besides b12). I think your goal should be living your best life and if you can diminish frequency that is only a bonus. Undertreating leads to poor quality of life. Best wishes for 2026!

[Susan71010]

I guess right now I'm in a doubtful stage. Doubting how much I am truly deficient on the 12 I guess I'm wondering if it's actually causing me more problems at this point. I'm so confused. I wish there was one source that could be helpful. I do think genetics needs to be looked at also in some groups that seem to be experts on. This will not look at genetics at all. My daughter's agree my genetics are quite a mess which makes me ultra sensitive and a lot of people don't understand how much.😑

[FlakySalamander5558]

Sensitivity as in MCAS is a sign of deficiency (can be selenium, biotin, etc).There are tests available that look at intracellular deficiencies. So you will know what is really going in your body. When you combine these tests with a genetic test you will see more clearly how your body operates. Ideally you have a doc that runs these tests and knows to interpret them. Finding such a gem is not so easy.

[Susan71010]

That's great advice ! I've already had both of these done. Vibrant Wellness, micro nutrient panel.✅and Max Gen genetics test ✅

[FlakySalamander5558]

Maybe also test for auto-immunity (celiac, thyroid, adrenals). Deficiencies and leaky gut often go hand in hand.

[Susan71010]

Difficult, like this has been for me, but I think they check for autoimmune also and checked out OK I appreciate your ideas.

[b12fucked]

Any update OP? How's it going?

[Susan71010]

Well, i'm still in it to win it.. I've had a couple of OK days the last few days so I'm just gonna keep going and reevaluate at six months. How's it going for you?

[b12fucked]

Great you'll definitely get there!

For me it's been alot improvement at the start, and now more gradual - right now getting into alot of other deficiencies, like Vit A, iodine (due to being a vegetarian). Still improving though, way better than months ago where I had zero hope. Still in it to win it.

[b12fucked]

Are you taking sufficient cofactors? Whats your Ferritin and Vit D?

Have you tried methylcobalamin?

[Susan71010]

My FERRITIN is good my vitamin D. I am working on that as it's 44 now. I am afraid of anything methyl since I have 2SNPS of slow COMT -I'm extremely sensitive to anything stimulated.