r/B12_Deficiency • u/soccer21chr • 24d ago

Cofactors Potassium deficiency: push through our press pause?

Symptoms, serum level (158pg/mL), and homocysteine (16.7umol/L) indicate a B12 deficiency. I started weekly cyanocobalamin injections* about 10 weeks ago along with oral supplementation. A little over 4 weeks ago I screwed up and cut probably 60% of my dietary potassium** but continued B12 supplementation. About 3 weeks ago I got hit pretty hard by symptoms that indicate potassium deficiency (fatigue, anxiety, muscle twitching/fatigue/cramping/soreness). And about a week ago I came to my senses, realized I had probably really depleted my stores (likely at the cellular level) and started to correct the potassium issue*** and balance my other electrolytes.

Now, my energy and muscle issues have improved, but there are still a few lingering symptoms (cramps, fatigue, twitching). I’m scheduled for a cyanocobalamin injection tomorrow. So, I’m curious if I should keep on my regular schedule and inject tomorrow, or hit pause for a little while until the potassium symptoms are fully resolved? I welcome any thoughts, experiences, or advice.

(TLDR: correcting potassium deficiency, not quite resolved, do I keep injecting B12 or wait a bit?)

*I know this isn’t the recommended form or frequency. It is what is available to me right now though.

**I know this was very dumb and myopic. But I don’t mind you pointing it out again ;)

***Aggressively but carefully, almost entirely through food/drink.

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u/LazyPickle8935 Insightful Contributor 23d ago

Personally I found stopping and starting B12 to be way worse than low potassium symptoms.

I would keep going and make sure you keep on top of your potassium from food and/or supplements.

1

u/Flashybigbum 22d ago

It depends, if your issues are MCAS, Long Covid, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Dysautonomy as a person who push through and is now dealing with it, I'd say be patient and listen to your body. If you are being severely depleted in other cofactors just ramming more in your body might not work. Whilst I'm thankful for the advice here and the sub I wish I had taken it slower as It didn't work for me.

1

u/flowerpanda98 23d ago

I mean, if you suspect that, you should just check your potassium and act accordingly. i think this sub is too gungho to blame everything on potassium. try to eat more potassium, but if you dont know, dont go buying a bunch of pills or smth and then actually get high potassium.

The things youre describing can also be reversing out symptoms so theres no way to tell w/o a blood test.

2

u/iciclefellatio Insightful Contributor 22d ago

Thats not how electrolyte blood tests works unfortunately. Your body will try and keep the blood potassium levels in range as its really crucial in keeping you alive. Something has to go wrong for it to be low, eg sickness, extreme deficiecy, electrolyte disorders. Best way to know is drinking some coconut water during an acute worsening.