B12 - rationale for using vitamin B12 in CFS

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[UPDATED MARCH 2022]

Introduction

Since 1982 a programme of treatment has evolved which I believe all Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients must do as the foundation before proceeding to other treatments. Vitamin B12 by injection I see as an important part of this programme and it is effective for many, regardless of the cause of their Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Those patients who respond to B12 are not obviously deficient in B12; indeed, blood tests usually show normal levels. The "normal" levels of B12 have been set at those levels necessary to prevent pernicious anaemia - this may not be the same as those levels for optimal biochemical function. B12 has a great many other functions as well as the prevention of pernicious anaemia. However, what is interesting is how B12 is beneficial in so many patients with fatigue, including those suffering with CFS, and this suggests that there is a common mechanism of chronic fatigue which B12 is effective at alleviating, regardless of the cause of the fatigue.

General mechanism by which B12 relieves the symptoms of CFS

Professor Martin Pall has looked at the biochemical abnormalities in CFS and shown that sufferers have high levels of nitric oxide and its oxidant product peroxynitrite. These substances may be directly responsible for many of the symptoms of CFS and are released in response to stress, whether that is infectious stress, chemical stress or whatever. B12 is important because it is the most powerful scavenger of nitric oxide and will therefore reduce the symptoms of CFS regardless of the cause [1] [Link 1] [2] [Link 2] [3] [Link 3] [4] [Link 4] [5] [Link 5] [6] [Link 6]

Nitric oxide is known to have a detrimental effect on brain function and pain sensitivity. Levels are greatly increased by exposure to chemicals such as organophosphates and organic solvents[7] [Link 7] When sensitive tests of B12 were applied (serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine) before and after B12 therapy, the following symptoms were noted to be caused by subclinical B12 deficiency: parasthesia, ataxia, muscle weakness, hallucinations, personality and mood changes, fatigue, sore tongue and diarrhoea[8] [Link 8]

B12 in fatigue syndromes

The "foggy brain" with difficulty thinking clearly, poor short term memory and multitasking are often much improved by B12. [9] [Link 9] [10] [Link 10] [11] [Link 11] Mood and personality changes, so often a feature of patients with chemical poisoning, can be improved by B12 [12] [Link 12]The physical fatigue and well being are often both improved.

A study

Twenty eight subjects suffering from non-specific fatigue were evaluated in a double-blind crossover trial of 5 mg of hydroxocobalamin twice weekly for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period, and then a similar treatment with a matching placebo. The placebo group in the first 2 weeks had a favourable response to the hydroxocobalamin during the second 2 week period with respect to enhanced general well being. Subjects who received hydroxocobalamin in the first 2-week period showed no difference between responses to the active and placebo treatments, which suggests that the effect of vitamin B12 lasted for over 4 weeks. It is noted there was no direct correlation between serum vitamin B12 concentrations and improvement. Whatever the mechanism, the improvement after hydroxocobalamin may be sustained for 4 weeks after stopping the medication[13] [Link 13]

Practical details

Vitamin B12 has no known toxicity and B12 surplus to requirement is simply passed out in the urine (which may discolour pink). It is theoretically possible to be allergic to B12 but in the thousands of injections that I have sanctioned this has only ever occurred after several injections and caused local itching, redness and swelling (although the commonest cause of redness and swelling is poor injection technique) in a handful of patients. I usually start with 1/2 mg (500 mcg) daily by subcutaneous injection, then adjust the frequency according to response - some patients will respond straight away, some need several doses before they see improvement. I would do at least two months of daily injections (i.e. 60) before giving up. If there is improvement the adjust the frequency of the dose to maintain that. Many people end up injecting at least once a month, often 1-2 times per week, more if stressed, less often if well. Indeed I suspect we could all benefit from a monthly dose of B12 as we age. It is protective against dementia and heart disease. There is some evidence that vitamin B12 is anti-viral and this may explain its wide application and why so many see benefit.

Dr Patrick Kingsley, in treating his MS patients, found some required 5,000mcgms daily, perhaps more, to really feel well.

Nearly all of my patients learn to inject themselves - this means they can be independent of their doctors. If self-injecting is not feasible and your own doctor is willing to prescribe and authorise administration of B12 injections, then I would recommend a weekly injection of 2 ml hydroxocobalamin and assess clinical response after 2 months.

For a very helpful guide, please see the page Giving a subcutaneous injection on the National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center website.

Self Injection

Please see this page - Magnesium and B12 Injections - what to do if your GP refuses to give
You can buy the wherewithal from my Sales Website
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References

  1. ↑ Pall ML. Elevated, sustained peroxynitrite level as the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. Medical Hypotheses 2000;54:115-125. Pall ML. Elevated peroxynitrite as the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome: Other inducers and mechanisms of symptom generation. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2000;7(4):45-58.
  2. ↑ Pall ML. Cobalamin used in chronic fatigue syndrome therapy is a nitric oxide scavenger. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2001;8(2):39-44.
  3. ↑ Pall ML, Satterlee JD. Elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite mechanism for the common etiology of multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder. Annals of the New York Academy of Science 2001;933:323-329.
  4. ↑ Pall ML. Common etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity via elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite, Medical Hypotheses, 2001; 57:139-145.
  5. ↑ Pall ML. Levels of the nitric oxide synthase product citrulline are elevated in sera of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. J Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2002; 10 (3/4):37-41.
  6. ↑ Pall ML. Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis. Br J Gen Pract 2002;52:762. Smirnova IV, Pall ML. Elevated levels of protein carbonyls in sera of chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Mol Cell Biochem, in press.
  7. ↑ Pall ML. NMDA sensitisation and stimulation by peroxynitrite, nitric oxide and organic solvents mechanism of chemical sensitivity in multiple chemical sensitivity. FASEB J 2002;16:1407-1417.
  8. ↑ Neuropsychiatric disorders caused by cobalamin deficiency in the absence of anaemia or macrocytosis J Lindenbaum et al New Engl J Med 1988; 318: 1720-1728.
  9. ↑ MacDonald Holmes J. Cerebral manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency. Br Med J 1956; 2: 1394-1398.
  10. ↑ Ellis FR, Nasser S. A pilot study of vitamin B12 in the treatment of tiredness. Br J Nutr 1973; 30: 277-283.
  11. ↑ Langdon FW. Nervous and mental manifestations of pre-pernicious anaemia. J Amer Med Assoc 1905; 45: 1635-1638
  12. ↑ Strachan RW, Henderson JG. Psychiatric syndromes due to avitamiosis B12 with normal blood and marrow. Ouart J Med New Series XXXIV 1965: 303-317
  13. ↑ A Pilot Study of Vitamin B12 in the Treatment of Tiredness," Ellis, F.R., and Nasser, S., British Journal of Nutrition, 1973;30:277-283.

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