Does anyone know whether you can take vitamin B12 whilst taking hydroxycarbamide?

[lizl]

I have read that vitamin B12 can help anaemia and some cancers, I've been taking hydroxycarbamide for nearly a year, is it safe to take vitamin B12?

[DH65]

I take B12 but it’s a good idea to get a serum B12 blood test to judge how much you need.

[francesb]

When I asked about B12 for my anaemia my haematologist said he'd test my levels when doing an FBC which he did and it came back normal so no need for more. I'd advise you to ask for a test. Good luck.

[gemneye]

Hi Lizl

For me I get the B 12 injection every month and every two weeks I get blood lab work, so I am able to see if that is helping or not

So far it has been helping

I’m still a bit anemic but not as bad as I was before I started the injections

Also I was taking the vitamin B 12 complex over the counter and it wasn’t doing anything which is why they ( my gp) started doing the injection

So for me it has been safe

As always ask your doctor if it would be good for you to take and inquire maybe about injections depending how anemic you are

Hope I helped some

[Fika500]

My husband has Myelofibrosis and is anaemic but he has plenty of B12. So I guess you need to determine whether you have B12 deficiency via a blood test , before considering B12 supplements.

[Wyebird]

Yes you can as long as your heamo is ok with it. Mine was happy because a b12 blood test showed me to be with the normal range. If your blood shows you deficient your heamo will prescribe.

[Pkm52]

I take a Methylated B12 and Methylated Folate daily. I had genetic testing performed that helps determine how you metabolize drugs. One of the tests is MTHFR DNA testing. Mutations of the MTHFR gene alters the enzyme critical for metabolizing one form of B Vitamin Folate, into another. I have the defect C677T. It isn’t uncommon. Approximately 5-14% of the US population has the defect. There is some ethnic variability in frequency - highest in those of Mediterranean ancestry and lowest in those of African American ancestry. I work in Psychiatry and we often test for this defect because B 12 doesn’t get metabolized normally. We always recommend B 12 for patients with complaints of low mood. Read about the condition. I am sure it came from my mother’s ancestry. There was melancholy, cigarettes and often too much liquor in an attempt to mood alter. In the States pharacogenetic testing is performed more frequently.

Medicare and many insurers pay for the test. It’s cheaper to pay for the test than pay for the adverse effects of a drug you can’t metabolize or one you need either a lower or higher dose of. Where I live NW USA we call it precise prescribing. Just look it up on a search engine. It seems like something our hematologists would want to know. Are they doing much pharmacogenetic testing in England?

Pkm52

[lizl]

Thank you for all your replies, that has been very useful and at my next appointment I'll ask for a blood test, good luck to you all x