Alright peoples, I'll try to keep this concise. I have donated blood in the past and supplemented with iron, but never B12. I also used to not eat much red meat, and never liver, which are excellent sources of B12. In early 2013 I got very sick with IBS which also curbed my appetite, so I was getting less B12. I'm not sure whether the B12 deficiency contributed to the IBS, caused it, or just got worse because of it. When I was suffering with the IBS, I started to have some strange symptoms (fatigue, anxiety, torso pains, complete appetite loss etc.) I was trying to do research on all of this and started to see mentions of B12.
Long story short, I was pretty deficient (Levels in the low 200s, should be 500-1000). I had symptoms of anemia, and at one point I couldn't even walk my dog down the street without severe fatigue and running out of breath. My doctor at the time tested me for Iron, B12, etc and the Iron, and folic acid were normal. Unfortunately, in the US, a lot of Drs. won't consider you deficient until you are below 200. I believe in Japan, they give you supplementation if you are below 500. My doctor refused to give me a B12 shot and instead wanted to give me anti anxiety medication. This was really stupid, and at this point I had read more and knew more about B12 then her at this point. It is almost impossible to overdose, because it is water soluble. Too much in your system and you just pee it out. I "fired" my Doctor and found another Doctor who saw how distressed I was and he was fine with giving me a B12 shot that day. I still don;t understand my original Drs. reluctance; its a harmless (and cheap) treatment, and if it doesn't work, you try something else! I went that day from being so fatigued and upset, to painting my bathroom that weekend! I continue to give myself B12 shots at home to keep my levels up.
I have a couple copies of this book on the subject and I highly recommend it.
https://www.amazon.com/Could-Be-B12...id=1474488480&sr=8-1&keywords=could+it+be+b12
There is also a movie about the author.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3520022/
Unfortunately, a B12 deficiency often affects the nervous system and can look like or contribute to all kinds of neurological problems such as depression, autism, diabetic neuropathy etc. B12 has a complicated pathway and is not very easily absorbed, so you could be eating plenty and still not getting the benefit. Everyone should read that book. Maybe TMI, but since supplementing with B12 and changing my diet, no more IBS!
If you guys have any question, feel free to PM me. Now back to chickens...
So sorry you lost him. Looks like he was pretty sick.
My Cali Gray is making a great recovery, I can hardly tell her apart from the other one, unless I look closely.
thanks for the great advice! My little Roo is trying to crow in the morning. I asked my husband to listen because it's so cute. He said " So you gonna get rid of him soon, right? Like this weekend..." Maybe not just yet...
My turkeys went to the edge of my property today, through the thicket that separates our land from the neighbors. They were starting to go in the neighbors yard, and the neighbors had their dog outside. It is a large black dog, something like a Newfie. The dog ran at the turkeys and they freaked and came right back. I don't think he was trying to kill them, just chase them. He stopped when he got to my property line. I'm actually glad he scared them, I'm hoping it will deter them from going in that direction again. They could roam for acres in the woods, but of course they want to go next door on the neighbors lawn.
e thanks for the great advice! My little Roo is trying to crow in the morning. I asked my husband to listen because it's so cute. He said " So you gonna get rid of him soon, right? Like this weekend..." Maybe not just yet... 
