B12 and Vitamin D3 supplements - British Heart Fou...

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B12 and Vitamin D3 supplements

GABaracus profile image
16 Replies

I have a low Vitamin D count (38 I think) and I also have a B12 deficiency.

I use to get a regular B12 injection every 3 months (coming up next week) but have been worrying about whether it can interfere with my drugs and current condition.

B12 especially I need as I collapsed in the past due to symptoms from it being too low in my system.

I’ve also read that you can’t take Vitamin D supplements whilst on heart medications like Lansoprazole (which I’m also on).

Any thoughts?

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GABaracus profile image
GABaracus
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16 Replies
Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hi GABaracus

I suggest you discuss your concerns with a registered healthcare professional.

Perhaps contact your Cardiac rehab team, local pharmacist or your GP.

Another great source of support are the Cardiac Nurses on the BHF helpline.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

We are all leaving through an uncertain time.

Take care and stay well.

Tubbylardo profile image
Tubbylardo

Have you been tested for Pernicious Anemia? Do you lack intrinsic factor? If you do, taking supplements is a waste of time as you can't absorb B12 through the gut. I have Pernicious Anemia and have a B12 injection every 4 weeks.

Visit the Pernicious Anemia website, read the info and then when next having blood tested you should ask to be tested for PA. It is dangerous to stop B12 injection if you are diagnosed with PA.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toTubbylardo

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

The problem is that all non essential face to face interactions between a patient and healthcare professionals have stopped for the time being.

Tubbylardo profile image
Tubbylardo in reply toMilkfairy

Having PA is not non essential. I am having my B12 injection, bloods and a Pneumonia vac next week, at my GP surgery, because they are needed.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toTubbylardo

Yes I agree anybody with a confirmed diagnosis of pernicious anaemia require the injections.

The orginal poster has not said whether they have been diagnosed with pernicious anaemia or why they need injections of B12.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus in reply toMilkfairy

I don’t think I’ve ever been diagnosed with anaemia.

I was taking the injections to avoid that. I have a B12 deficiency and I’m now also currently on heart meds due to a minor heart attack I recently suffered.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toGABaracus

I suggest you discuss the issue with the healthcare professionals who has prescribed the B12.

I would have expected as others have said that you have had bloods taken to see what is causing your B12 deficiency.

Your other queries again maybe talk to your Cardiology team or the BHF helpline?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

My doctor put me on Vit D tablets along with my heart meds which include aspirin

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus

Just spoke to my GP. My last B12 result back in September was 182pg/ml. My last injection was in January of this year.

I’m due every 3 months.

I’m not able to get my regular injection until this pandemic situation is over according to my GP.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Hello... I have just spotted your thread. Others have discussed Vitamin B12 and pernicious anemia so I thought it worth discussing restenois (cell proliferation). About 15 - 20 years ago people found a link between B12 injections and restenois. However, since then things have moved forward in two ways. First most stents are drug eluding to prevent or slow any restenois. Secondly back then statins were less widely prescribed. Now they are prescribed fairly aggressively. The default post stents/bypass is 80mg Atorvastatin. Hope this helps.

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus in reply toMichaelJH

Yes, thanks. That’s what I am on, 80mg.

I just would like to believe for sure that I can still get my B12 injections and keep taking my VD3 20,000IU once a week along with my drugs and not run into problems.

I’m quite sure my last VD3 blood test was around 40, but I would have to check.

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus

I haven’t had my VD3 now for almost 3 weeks. I’m worried to take it with my heart medication as I’m just not sure enough and my GP hasn’t been all that helpful if I’m honest.

Also my B12 injection is cancelled for the 7th so I don’t what to do about that either. I’m pretty sure I have IBS so I won’t absorb any alternative supplements well.

What on earth do do? I need to get into a routine where they are included but I’m just not confident at the moment, so it’s like a constant thought in the background that lingers.

My Vitamin D levels in Oct 19 was 33 nmol/L.

I’ve continued to take 20,000 a week every Friday since then though, only stopping these past few weeks due to my recent heart condition.

Maybe I’m not taking enough? With all of this COVID-19 business going on it just makes everything so much more difficult and not easy to get a proper answer from anyone.

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus

I wasn’t given it. I bought it myself.

It’s 20,000IU.

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus

No, but I wasn’t exactly advised against it either.

I don’t get much sun and I’ve been all over the place these past few years in regards to diet changes.

I’ve been taking 1 every week for the past few years. I was taking 10,000 for a while and then moved to 20,000 to try and get my levels up faster. I initially opted not to take it daily because I didn’t want to have to remember to take it everyday.....

“I guess that doesn’t matter now with everything else.”

I’m not sure what my most recent VD3 reading was, but I definitely don’t need to worry about overdosing (I’ve not yet gotten past 60), just if they are safe to keep taking with all my heart medication, along with some form of B12 supplements/injections.

GABaracus profile image
GABaracus

I’ve succeeded in getting an injection arranged for tomorrow but I’m not sure if I’ll go through with it, as I haven’t had any blood tests for my B12 levels this year thus far, and then there’s things like my stent and heart medication etc.

Foggyme profile image
Foggyme

All - spammer - link takes to untrustworthy and potentially dangerous website. Restricted in the PAS forum - reported to HU.

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