Vitamin B12 Supplements

[InLiverpool]

I recently had a well-being check at my GP and had the usual bloods taken.

My results were fairly normal but I noticed my B12 levels were quite low at 200 ( the bottom range is 100).

I have a good diet which includes all the foods recommended for boosting B12 levels so I thought maybe I have a problem absorbing B12.

I have just started taking sublingual B12 supplements and plan to ask for a further test in 3 months time.

If my results improve would this prove I may have a problem with how my gut absorbs B12. Would injections help?

[Sparklingsunshine]

If you cant absorb B12 because of a malabsorption issue in the gut or if you have Pernicious Anaemia, an autoimmune condition where the body doesnt produce intrinsic factor, a digestive enzyme crucial for extracting B12 from diet or tablets then you would probably need injections

. However the blood test the NHS uses to test for PA antibodies is only accurate in 50% of cases. Rendering it rather useless imho. Might as well flip a coin lol. Did your GP comment on the low B12 result. Probably a better test would be to try B12 tablets instead as if your level doesnt improve in 3 months or continues to fall then that would prove there is an issue which merits further investigation.

Sublingual drops, which I use in between B12 jabs are absorbed by the blood vessels under the tongue and bypass the digestive system. So they wont prove anything 😄

[b19htr]

Hi, just out of interest do you take omeprazole or lansoprazole or anything similar prescribed by your gp? I’ve recently been going to a local health shop were I’ve learnt so much. The guy is v v knowledgeable and the first thing he said to me was to stop, not straight away, the omeprazole I take. Basically this destroys all the acids in the stomach of which some we need for proper absorption of foods, minerals etc. Initially he advised vit d and magnesium and the difference I felt was unbelievable but I’ve now gone backwards again. He asked me to do my blood pressure 2 hours after I’ve eaten. It was 101/64. He said anything less than 112 is an indication your body isn’t absorbing minerals as it should. As I’m still cutting the omeprazole down, I’m down to once a week, he advised apple cider vinegar once a day with main meal. Also as one of the guys girlfriends has fibro they know a lot about this condition too so I feel very lucky to find them. Hope this helps.

[DavidCB in reply to b19htr]

I have always had B12 issues and notice I also get mouth ulcers a lot in the past and B12 always helped that. I have fibro but have to take esomeprozol daily (on rare occasions twice a day), I was advised to take mine at night and take my multivitamin including iron and B12, Vit D (will check the msg)in the morning as it impacts absorption- although recent bloods still show I’m low even with the multivitamins (with recommended daily intake amounts). I’ve not tried the apple cider vinegar so will have to try that

[b19htr in reply to DavidCB]

I’m no expert im only going off what I’ve been told but all proton pump inhibitors stop absorption off vitamins and minerals. I would check you are ok to take the apple cider vinegar first, as I’ve slowly reduced my intake of omeprazole that’s why he gave it me I also take something called peaceful digestion too. Once i am completely off omeprazole he will advise me what I need to take then.

[CheetieCat in reply to b19htr]

That's really interesting. I'm twice daily and if I'm even a little late the acid reflux is horrible. Only drawback for me would be my anti inflammatory but for others it sounds really worth trying.

[b19htr in reply to CheetieCat]

If you can I’d get advice before stopping any medication and I did speak to my gp too about the supplements I’m taking. It’s been very slow cutting my omeprazole down at one point I was using ginger in between tablets but, fingers crossed, I went over a week without one and no ginger. Apparently for proper absorption of food and minerals we need a certain amount of acid in our stomachs but ppi’s destroy all acid, stopping proper absorption. A friend takes a lot of ppi’s due to a medical problem she has and says she wouldn’t be able to stop them so I don’t suppose it will work for everyone. X

[CheetieCat in reply to b19htr]

Unfortunately I'm probably in your friends category, also need it for stomach protection as I take an anti inflammatory. So good your managing without though 😊

[Judygarland1 in reply to CheetieCat]

Oh I am exactly the same with omeprozole, the horrendous acid reflux I get if I don’t take it first thing. Apple cider vinegar sounds much too acidic for me to take without omeprozole, it gives me heartburn just thinking about it 😬