Berocca Vitamin advice with PV Dx: Hiya everyone... - MPN Voice

MPN Voice

10,874 members15,189 posts

Berocca Vitamin advice with PV Dx

LittleLuna profile image
18 Replies

Hiya everyone

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Little query, just received a free pack of Berocca Vitamins which I used to take years ago. Looking for advice on any contradictions on this for PV patient?

It contains B1,B2, B3 Niacin, B6, Folic Acid, B12, Biotin, Magnesium, Zinc, calcium

❤️

Written by
LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
Cakeface profile image
Cakeface

Hi, you need to avoid folic acid, it's a form of iron. It makes your HCT rise

LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna in reply toCakeface

thank you. I will give it to hubby instead

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply toLittleLuna

Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin. It is not uncommon to combine iron with the B-complex supplements. Be sure to check the Berocca complex to see if it contains iron, which is contained in some vitamin formulations.

LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna in reply tohunter5582

hi Hunter. It does not mention iron separately in the ingredients so expect not

Uzza profile image
Uzza in reply toCakeface

No, Folic Acid enables the metabolisation of iron. Folate and folic acid are forms of vitamin B9 used for deficiency and to prevent pregnancy complications. Since the late 90s, folic acid has been added to cereals, flour, breads, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers, as by federal law in many countries. Foods that are naturally high in folate include leafy vegetables, okra, asparagus, certain fruits, beans, yeast, mushrooms, animal liver and kidney, orange juice, and tomato juice. Folic acid is atherefore a supplement, used in combination with other B vitamins.

Folic acid is used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency) and high blood levels of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia). People who are pregnant or might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent serious birth defects such as spina bifida. Folic acid is also used for many other conditions including depression, stroke, decline in memory and thinking skills, and many others.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply toUzza

Excellent summary!

Gadus profile image
Gadus

Do you really think vitamin supplements are necessary if you enjoy a mixed diet with lots of fresh veg and fish?

Gadus profile image
Gadus in reply toGadus

I’ve been recently diagnosed with PV and am one 9 500mg hydroxycarbamide pills per week. Seem to be adapting pretty well. A few rashes. Calomine lotion a great healer. Reasonably active at 73..

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply toGadus

The answer would be "it depends." Broadly speaking vitamin supplements should not be needed for most people who eat a healthy diet. However, there can be times when supplements are indicated. As we age, many find that the body does not metabolize nutrients as well. During pregnancy, nutritional needs change. Certain medical conditions and the treatments can change how nutrients are metabolized.

In my own case, taking Nexium for GERD resulted in a magnesium deficiency. It may also be contributing to a vitamin B/folate deficiency. I have another condition, Neurofibromatosis Type 1, that causes a Vitamin D deficiency. Note that I eat a healthy diet but cannot metabolize the these nutrients to maintain the required levels. I do not, however, suggest taking supplements blindly. I had my nutrient levels checked. We rechecked after starting the supplements to ensure the dose was correct. My entire treatment team is aware of what I take. The MPN Specialist has no issue with taking the Vit B/folate supplement.

In my view, there is usually no harm to taking a general multivitamin. The exception is when you have a MPN with erythrocytosis (e.g., PV). Then it it important to avoid anything that contains iron. There also needs to be some caution with Vitamin K when taking a blood thinner. patientpower.info/myeloprol...

Unfortunately, many doctors are not well versed in the role that nutrition plays in MPNs. That is why it is so important for people with MPNs to consult with a MPN Specialist and other doctors with this expertise.

SoledadBarcelona profile image
SoledadBarcelona

The question is that in mix of things you cant know what is good or unfortunately, bad for your body. Try natural everything and after taking something, firtly check previously if your body need it. For example, before taking vitamine D check if you are low, the same with magnesium, zinc, etc. Folic acid can be obtened by Brasil nuts, for example. It is well documented.

LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna

probably not but I am up and down with nutrition and think supplements, if good brand are beneficial.

Glad you are doing well on meds. I am being treated with aspirin and venesection for now.

Doing ok, symptoms up and down. Starting to sneak back a bit so thinking of nutrition/supplement side to enhance

Wyebird profile image
Wyebird

wow might be good for hair thinning but always check with your heamo.

LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna

thank you everyone. I plan to find a functional medicine specialist soon as I think whole medical and holistic, alternative approach is important for us with MPN,s. I agree with keeping Haem Consult in the loop but as far as supplements, nutrition goes, my experience is they have little or no knowledge unless they have a specialist interest.

Having been diagnoised in June, I am now only starting to feel like my brain and energy are getting to a stage where I can function to progress with other support for PV and other conditions. Its a full time job managing our health lol

Thank you again. Always love support and advice from everyone. Blessed to be part of this amazing group. 😍

caroline_284 profile image
caroline_284

Hi, I have MF and I asked my consultant if I was ok to take Biotin for my hair thinning. I took it for 2 or 3 months but cant honestly say whether it made much difference. A lot of people seem to think it helps.I probably should have given it a bit longer.

Whitehair51 profile image
Whitehair51 in reply tocaroline_284

Biotin can affect some lab tests, you can see the list if you Google it.

Rachelthepotter profile image
Rachelthepotter in reply tocaroline_284

One of the effects of ruxolitinib ( Jakafi) is increased hair growth. Not always wanted. Don't think it makes up for the sarcomatoid sccs, but its an interesting one.

Agree that if you might ever need blood transfusions, watch out for iron in supplements: you can do without the extra. Rachel

CooperS1 profile image
CooperS1

hi, during a call a few months back with my MPN haematology nurse I also asked about taking B-complex vitamins which I’ve taken for about 20 years and had continued to do. I was diagnosed with ET Jak2 + in 2019 which has also since been reclassified as ET plus PV ‘to some extent’ as initially platelets were raised and red cells were ‘only very slightly higher than normal’ She advised I should not take ‘Iron tablets’ as this increased cell count and made blood thicker but said the amount of iron in general over the counter multi vitamin supplements was not high enough to be of concern. Not sure if that helps you?

LittleLuna profile image
LittleLuna in reply toCooperS1

thank you. I am going to air on side of caution and wait until I find a functional medicine/alternative specialist

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Dx of ET vs PV

Some of this is likely redundant, but we have many posts on this subject and plenty of curiosity....
EPguy profile image

Itching with PV

I usually getting bad itching after a shower etc, but this morning it started “for no reason”? And...
Yvette49 profile image

PV advice

Go9d evening. My husband and I are abroad in a small town. He has PV jak2 pos and was bitten by...
scousesbird profile image

Pv with covid

Hi everyone I have pv jak2 positive im 49 years old and taking asprin and hydrocarbmite I have had...
Polyruba profile image

Vitamin D and PV ET study

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7053540/ Interesting research on what seems to be a...

Moderation team

Debinha profile image
DebinhaAdministrator
Mazcd profile image
MazcdPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.