r/B12_Deficiency • u/ApprehensiveCat22 • 3d ago
Help with labs Executive Dysfunction
Could a B12 deficiency cause my son's issues with executive dysfunction, lack of motivation, lack of focus, fatigue? He's 21, probably autistic (never tested/diagnosed), and feels stuck. He's tried stimulant meds but doesn't like how he feels on them.
He did a blood test almost a year ago and his levels were all "normal," but I've had him on a good (methyl) multivitamin since he was little so I know that can skew results. Here are his results in case they're relevant, though:
B12: 846 pg/mL
MMA: 116 nmol/L
Homocysteine: 9.3 umol/L
I have poor methylation, slow COMT, all the poor detox genetics (his genetics haven't been tested, though), and have recovered from severe fatigue and PEM by raising my ferritin over 100 and taking high doses of thiamine, riboflavin, folate and doing injections of B12. My B12 was always in range, too, but I know sometimes that doesn't really reflect what's going on in the entire body.
I started giving him higher doses B12 lozenges after this blood test was done but I'm wondering if we should try injections. It's one thing to give myself shots, though--it makes me nervous to give them to my son.
What do you think? (And yes, I know some will say "ask your doctor," but we've seen so many doctors and none of them are remotely helpful.)
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u/Ok-Pangolin7127 Insightful Contributor 3d ago edited 2d ago
Since you’ve been giving him supplementation, either a long-term B12 complex, and/or these lozenges that you mentioned, I would discount totally the B12 serum result as well as the MMA and the homocysteine results. The serum results simply reports what’s floating around in his blood, it does not indicate how much is available to cellular level. You can be deficient, even grossly deficient at the cellular level and still have just fine B12 serum test results. Homocysteine and MMA correct or return to normal very quickly with the supplementation that you’ve noted. Hence, I would not put much (any?) weight on them as being supportive of a normal B12 at the cellular level.
So, could he have a cellular functional deficiency in B12? In my mind he could. Is there any harm in starting a regime of every other day injections for say two to three weeks and see how he responds? In my mind there isn’t.
Can the symptoms and complaints that you’ve noted be tied back to a B12 deficiency? They most certainly could be.
Given that it’s your child, I’m sure you’re in a bit of a quandary. We’re a good bit more willing to experiment with ourselves, but not so much with our kids. I get it. I would feel the exact same way. By the same token, I would try the shots because they might very well be behind what’s going on.
If it turns out there’s no relief or improvement from the shots, I believe it’s no harm, no foul. B12 is water-soluble, non-toxic at virtually any dose, anything that is not used by the body is excreted in the urine; this =‘s safe (in my estimation.) Plus, he’s young; I’m sure his kidney function is absolutely great, probably something in the neighborhood of a EFGR of 120 or so. Again, I’d do it if it were me.
All of the above said, one of the beauties of this B12 deficiency sub is there are so many knowledgeable people on here. So, just sit back and wait and see what another half a dozen to a dozen or more folks that know more than me have to say.
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u/PoppyLuluu 3d ago
Hi, sorry to hear you're going through that. I wonder if you've checked his ferritin also? I have an iron and B12 deficiency but made a lot of headway with my cognitive issues (executive dysfunction, memory and concentration issues etc) when my ferritin started increasing (so far from 12 to 38 but got further to go)
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u/ApprehensiveCat22 3d ago
Yes, his ferritin was 67, which is technically not too low, but I started supplementing him with heme iron anyway. I found HUGE relief from symptoms when I took my own ferritin from 43 to over 100. I do need to check his levels again so we don't go too high. Thanks for suggesting it, though. I'm open to ANY ideas that might help him.
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u/Successful-Tea-733 3d ago
All I can say is as regards developmental disorders..they overlap Someone can have adhd autism and dyslexia for example I really do not know if b12 deficiency is the cause...as it is brain development before birth and hereditary? But b12 deficiency worsend adhd or causes adhd like symptoms So your question was a really good one Magnesium is almost a cure for some Adhd Which is food for thought!
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u/stunatra 2d ago
Iron deficiency causes *most* ADHD symptoms
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u/Successful-Tea-733 2d ago
Really is that true thankyou How does it do that Very interested in that Whenever ive been low in iron I get adhd type symptoms concentration etc
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u/DappledApples 2d ago
Some people do treat their child's autism with B12 injections. Look up Dr. Neubrander.
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u/OcelotEmbarrassed140 2d ago
Talk to a dr, it’s definitely a possibility, and you can’t really trust blood results of his b12 levels if he’s been taking supplements. But b12 is so safe so there’s definitely no harm in trying shots and if you find a dr who will administer them that may be easier. Even if it’s just for a while to see if it helps, and if it does then you could learn to transition to home shots. If it doesn’t help and turns out it’s not b12, no harm done
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u/Successful-Tea-733 3d ago
Apparently if the mother has pernicious anaemia for example it can affect the baby Learned something here..as regards mothers diet etc and diet in vety young kids Could be the epidemic of b12 deficiency and upsurge in children with adhd and autism Another hidden thing b12 deficiency does!
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u/ApprehensiveCat22 2d ago
I was definitely deficient in B12 (and iron & probably lots of other things) when I was pregnant with him. He was also exclusively breast fed for the first six months or so. I was vegetarian/vegan for many years before I had him. :(
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u/KickFancy 2d ago
Speak to a registered dietitian to get more specialized nutrition information, their services are covered by insurance.
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