Vitamin B Supplements

[Debramga]

I have recently been diagnosed with fatty liver. My blood tests show that my folate is low. My doctor has recommended methylfolate 5000mg with methyl B. Also, methyl folate has been studied for relieving light depression which I somethimes suffer. Will this high dose of B hurt my liver?

[nash2 Partner]

Hi Debramga

Well, we aren't doctors so you can't trust us really, but two things. Folate is typically done in micrograms, not milligrams so that is probably just confusion. The recommended upper limit per the NIH is 1,000 per day so it is worth asking more questions. Folate is water soluble so it is disposed of by the kidneys and is generally regarded as OK in the liver but high doses of anything can be a challenge but there may be studies that indicate that high dose is OK. Can't really tell you that.

Wayne

[Debramga]

Thank you for the reply. I am considering using wellbutrin for my blue moods. I have read that it can be hard on your liver. Any comments about that?

[nash2 Partner in reply to Debramga]

Many drugs have to be metabolized by the liver. I have never looked into the mechanism, but it is generally not recommended for people with liver disease. It is a powerful drug

these are common side effects. you might talk with your doc about it.

Headache

Insomnia

Abdominal pain

Agitation

Anxiety

Asthenia

Concentration disturbance

Constipation

Depression

Dizziness

Dry mouth

Fever

Nausea

Pruritus (itchiness)

Rash

Sweating

Taste disorders

Tremor

Urticaria (indicative of a hypersensitivity reaction)

Visual disturbance

Vomiting

[Bbohnie]

There can be side effects of using methylfolate. you can look those up online. My Dr. prescribed Deplin- it is medical grade folate so it requires a prescription. It was 15 micrograms. It worked well for me and I did not have the side effects mentioned. My insurance did not cover it but it was around $50 per month. Check with your pharmacist to see if what your Dr suggested has side effects or interacts with other things you take. Also alot of health food stores have big books of what each supplement does, how to best take it and in what amount. Look it up there.

[Gphoton]

If your levels are low, methyl folate and methyl B12 supplementation are more bio-available forms than other formulations and are relatively safe. No need to take too much though. One B vitamin to be careful with dosage is Niacin in the form that causes the hot flashes as that CAN damage your liver in too high a quantity.

SAMe is a supplement that along with folate and B12, help your mood and also help your liver, be careful with it if your are on antidepressants as it has similar effects and taking both would over do it.