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Numbness and tiredness and frequent yawn
My hb is 13. My b12 is 162 pg/ml. Should i take b12 500mcg or 1500mcg? For how many days ? And after that how much should i take to maintain?
Answers (10)
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Thanks for your question â itâs a very important one for maintaining long-term energy, cognitive health, and overall well-being. As a dietitian, Iâll guide you based on current evidence and clinical nutrition practice.
𧪠Your Lab Values: What They Mean
Hemoglobin (Hb): 13 g/dL â This is normal for most adults. No anemia based on Hb.
Vitamin B12: 162 pg/mL â This is low. Most labs consider:
300 pg/mL = Adequate
ð Even if your hemoglobin is normal, a B12 level this low can lead to fatigue, brain fog, numbness/tingling, and long-term nerve damage if not corrected.
ð How Much B12 Should You Take?
Because your B12 is deficient, a therapeutic dose is needed first, followed by a maintenance dose.
â
Recommended Plan:
ð¹ Correction Phase:
Dosage: 1,500 mcg of methylcobalamin (oral) daily
Duration: At least 4â6 weeks
This high oral dose is safe because excess B12 is water-soluble and excreted in urine.
Alternatively (if advised by your doctor):
Injections (e.g., 1,000 mcg intramuscular weekly for 4â6 weeks) are also effective, especially if there's poor gut absorption.
ð¹ Maintenance Phase (after levels normalize):
Once your B12 reaches a healthy level (usually >400â500 pg/mL):
Dosage: 500 mcg daily or 1,000 mcg 2â3 times per week
Monitor levels every 6â12 months to ensure stability
ð½ï¸ Nutrition Advice from a Dietitian:
In addition to supplements, increase intake of B12-rich foods, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan (as B12 is mostly found in animal products):
Eggs
Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)
Fish (sardines, tuna, salmon)
Chicken, beef, liver
Fortified plant milks and cereals (check the label)
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Please ask me directly for personalized diet plan.
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Hi
Please talk to your doctor for the right dosage. Please check out my blog to see the good sources of Vitamin B12 that you can add to your diet.
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Good evening pls connect through practo app.
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Good evening,
Thank you for your question
B12 is on the low level
Are you a vegetarian.
Yes for b12 you have to take supplements.
Kindly contact personally for a customized diet plan.
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Ms. Moumita Dutta
Dietitian/Nutritionist
10 yrs exp
Kolkata
Plesar talk to your doctor.
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Ms. Ridhima Dhingra
Dietitian/Nutritionist
21 yrs exp
Bangalore
Pls get your hbA1C and cholesterol profile tested and share report
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Ms. Neema Yadav
Dietitian/Nutritionist
6 yrs exp
Kolhapur
Hb13 within the normal range
Vitamin B12 162 g/ ml this is low : normal range 200-900 pg / ml and symptoms starts below 300 in many individuals
Recommended Actions :
You start supplements immediately
1. Oral B12 :
1000-2000 mcg sublingual or oral , daily at least 3
Months
2. Injections:
If severe symptoms or poor absorption
1000 mcg IM every other day for 1-2 weeks, then
Weekly for a month , then monthly
Your doctor can guide based on severity
Dietary sources:
Fortitude cereals, plant milks
Dairy and eggs
Nutritional yeast
Supportive Nutrients:
B12 works with folate and iron - it may help to check
Folate
Serum ferritin
Vitamin D
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Ms. Harshita
Dietitian/Nutritionist
11 yrs exp
Delhi
Kindly consult with me for detailed discussion and further guidance through practo .
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Ms. Somya Jain
Dietitian/Nutritionist
9 yrs exp
Delhi
Follow milk based products that will help in maintaining your b-12
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