Supplement B-12 or not ?

[garyjp9]

My B-12 level is slightly low, and my homocysteine level is slightly high. Not surprised by the B-12, because I'm eating little red meat. My PCP has suggested that I take 500 mcg B-12 daily. I am wary, because I have read here on HU that it can promote further PC. Thoughts, please.

[Tall_Allen]

Getting to normal won't harm you.

[garyjp9 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you, T_A

[MouseAddams]

my husband gets a dose every time he get his zometa shot. The rest is with his normal vitamins.

[garyjp9 in reply to MouseAddams]

Thank you

[spencoid2]

I am supplementing because mine was very low. Thanks for the reminder because it was not tested in the last labs. Injections made it too high so was switched to oral.

[billfenley2]

I asked my well-regarded MO, Oliver Sartor, if he had any general suggestions for me re diet or supplements. He said, only one: no B12 supplements. I didn't ask for an explanation. Maybe, as TA suggests, B12 supplementation is OK up to normal level.

[garyjp9 in reply to billfenley2]

Do you think Dr. Sartor would object to eating foods that contain a lot of B-12, as opposed to a vitamin supplement?

[billfenley2 in reply to garyjp9]

Hey Gary, Right, what Ed says, Dr. Sartor only talking about supplementary B12, any foods OK.

[garyjp9 in reply to billfenley2]

Thanks, Bill

[EdBar]

Dr. Sartor has told me to avoid B12 supplements “prostate cancer loves it “. That and vitamin E he strongly recommends avoiding these two supplements. Perhaps supplement your diet with foods rich in B12 instead, meats and seafood.

Ed

[garyjp9 in reply to EdBar]

Ed, do you think Dr. Sartor would object to eating foods that contain a lot of B-12, as opposed to a vitamin supplement?

[EdBar in reply to garyjp9]

He hasn’t told me to avoid any foods, and I’ve asked, but no restrictions.

[garyjp9 in reply to EdBar]

Thanks

[Chipnick]

Low B12 (deficiency) causes neuropathy. If low, you need more. You normally need to supplement a litle if eating a vegan diet. Some of the tablets are very high dose, so choose carefully and follow your labs to get into range without over shooting.

[ron_bucher]

I've never heard of B12 causing cancer.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/363...

However, one of my oncologists suggests supplementing vitamins only when they are below the normal range.

[garyjp9 in reply to ron_bucher]

Thank you, Ron, and thanks for the cite

[cigafred in reply to ron_bucher]

The citation is for cancer in general, and is a review of other studies.

[900312611]

I get 100mcg B12 from the VA, have been taking it for the past year or so, it gets me to about half the normal range; my PSA tests, between the VA and PCP, comes out to be every 3 months; 3months from the VA, then 3 months latter the PCP; PSA has stayed 0.01 for past year for each (had IMRT and seeds about5-6 years ago" it took a long time for PSA to come down)...I do eat meat, and dessert, and have milk, with added protein powder, on high fiber cereal in the morning

[garyjp9 in reply to 900312611]

Thank you

[900312611 in reply to garyjp9]

I meant to say 1000mcg, not 100mcg...you're welcome