Vitamin B12

[PecanSandie]

I am slightly anemic and so my doctor recommended I take iron pills, which I started doing. She also recommended I take Vitamin B12. The dose she wants me to take is 5,000 UIs daily. That seems like an awfully big dose to do since my B12 is only slightly low. I am worried it might affect my kidneys. Does anyone else take this big a dose?

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I am anemic also, and had low B12. My Doctor prescribed for me to take B12 (small amount), which works for me. I also get a shot if blood work shows I need it.

[PecanSandie in reply to orangecity41]

I started taking 1,000 ui a day. I guess I'll see how that works. I do feel like I have more energy.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador in reply to PecanSandie]

I too feel more energy.

[Aussiemama2024 in reply to PecanSandie]

Hi, my B12 is a little low so I take 1,000 ui a day as well. My grandmother was also anemic and had B12 shots for years, she lived to be 102.

[Sapphire187]

I am very anemic, in fact I just recently had two blood transfusions because my hemoglobin got down to 5.8 and RBC was 1.9. This just happened 3.5 weeks after getting my kidney transplant on January 14. My B12 is on the low end of normal and my transplant nephrologist told me to talk to my PCP about getting B12 shots. My PCP has me taking 1000 mcg of B12 a day. My nephrologist said that won't be enough and I need to get the B12 shots.

[CKD2-4]

Hi. I take 2000 mcg per day. My nephrologist told me it is a water soluble vitamin and that your body eliminates excess. I’d say to ask your nephrologist as it appears different Dr have differing opinions.

[PecanSandie in reply to CKD2-4]

My PCP and Nephrologist *definitely* have differing opinions. I think I might ramp up to 2,000 mcg per day and see how it goes. I see my nephro in late July and will ask him then. In the meantime, I don't think 2000 units will do me in (famous last words....lol).

[FelineFandom146]

I am anemic too but am taking Iron Supplements. My B12 is sky high so I don't need B12 supplements. . Go figure. Not that I completely trust physicians but is the doctor who put you on the high dosage of B12 your GP or your Nephrologist? If you have a Nephro doc, you may want to run the B12 dosage. In olden days, they thought that high doses of B12 were dangerous for those with CKD. I'd check into it further.

[PecanSandie in reply to FelineFandom146]

It was my GP who wants me to take the 5000. My nephrologist knows nothing about it. I bought some and took my first dose today. From what I am reading kidney disease can cause the low B12 level so so I guess it's logical to try to get it back to what she considers normal. I'm curious to see what happens to my eGFR level.