Oxford biosciences

[Withattitude]

Hi, I've just ordered some methyl cobalamin from Oxford Biosciences and sterile saline from Germany. When I've mixed the two they won't be sterile as I'll have exposed it to the air. Do any of you use this prep and what are your experiences? Also where else can I get methyl from? Ideally I'd like it in an ampoule.

[wedgewood]

It should be fine,as long as you keep in a clean environment, but you can obtain Methyl from Intravita in ampoules ( they are the sole suppliers now that the manufacturers Arnika of Munich have given them the agency) You can place an order with [e-mail] cost : 10 ampoules 1mg/1 ml £33. Plus £8 postage

[fbirder in reply to wedgewood]

If you do get it from Intravita you should ignore their storage instructions. Every manufacturer of methylcobalamin I've been able to find says that it should be stored in a fridge at 5ºC (or thereabouts).

But why do you want the extra expense and hassle of getting methylcobalamin? The vast majority of the population can easily convert hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin to the active forms. And the vast majority of those that can't do it easily can do it if they take methylfolate as a supplement.

[wedgewood in reply to fbirder]

Many thanks @fbirder. You are an invaluable member of our community. You can give us all the information that our GPs and consultants are ignorant of . And they are not only ignorant but disinterested , which is just as bad. Thanks again

[Withattitude in reply to fbirder]

Only because over the last two weeks my symptoms have come back with a vengeance even injecting ever other day and I got very frightened. Over the last two days I've been using massive amounts of sublingual methyl b12 and started using methyl folate instead of folic acid. My symptoms have decreased again, so I thought I would try injecting methyl and see if it helped. I didn't realise that methyl folate can help some people convert hydroxy, rather than folic acid. That is really helpful info. Thanks for posting it. Could you point me in the direction of some reading I could do please? Thanks again.

[fbirder in reply to Withattitude]

I'm afraid there's an awful lot of rubbish on the interwebs about methylation. Much of it spread by the methyl evangelists with their books, snake-oil and clickbait, advertising-packed, web sites.

The best summary I've found is this YouTube video - youtube.com/watch?v=MzT-iU8...(Not working as expected?)

It took me ages to plough through various places to put together an overview of the whole thing. The diagram here - frankhollis.com/temp/MTHFR.jpg - is a simplified version.

In the normal body there is a cycle that makes methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) - which is required to methylate hydroxocobalamin. Folic acid gets reduced to tetrahydrofolate in the body and injected into the cycle.

Later in the cycle an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) produces MTHF. Some people have mutations in the gene (also called MTHFR) that makes this protein. This makes the protein not as robust as normal. It still works, but not 100%. (Even people with two mutations, like me, are about 20% efficient).

People with multiple such mutations have problems making MTHF and, therefore, converting hydroxocobalamin to methylcobalamin. This can be fixed my taking methylcobalamin itself or, in a much cheaper and easier solution, by taking MTHF - sold as methylfolate or metafolin.

A company called 23andMe can test your DNA for £125. They look at thousands of health-related genes.

[Withattitude in reply to fbirder]

Thank you so much for this fbirder. Knowledge is reassuring as I get to grips with this.

[ndodge in reply to fbirder]

Hi fbirder, I said I would get back to you re: ingredients in the methylcobalamin I use & this seems to be a good place to post the info. I use a compounding pharmacy and the ingredients are... Sodium chloride and benzyl alcohol. & methyl, of course. It says protect from light and store at room temperature.

nancy aka ndodge

[fbirder in reply to ndodge]

Thanks.

I've been hunting for some solid info on the stability of methylcobalamin and all I've come up with is a lot of stuff about it being very unstable in light, especially UV, or at high temperatures (>100ºC).

I wonder if the different companies just guess. Those worried about the quality of their product (and maybe getting sued by users) suggest it be refrigerated. Those worried about the costs of storage and transportation don't.

I'll keep mine in the fridge - it can't hurt and may do some good.

Oh, the benzyl alcohol is a common anti-bacterial preservative.

[ndodge in reply to fbirder]

Hi fbirder,

Some further info. I spoke with a pharmacist who uses this same B12 herself and she says she does keep hers in the fridge. And that one has 10 minutes to prepare the syringe and give the injection with it being exposed to light before it affects the methyl but that it's not a big deal because it converts to hydroxo in the light! Who knew?

She also said it's best to keep it at 74 degrees F or less.

More info for our

arsenal of knowledge!

[Withattitude in reply to ndodge]

Thank you!

[ndodge in reply to Withattitude]

You are very welcome!

[Withattitude in reply to wedgewood]

There is no reply from either their mobile number or the landline of their MD. Tried twice at different times.

[Chocolate41]

Hi

Ihave bought some methycobalamin but am not sure where to store it.Does it have to be stored in the fridge or just a cool dark place.

Thanks for your comments in advance.

[Louise-G in reply to Chocolate41]

Did the package not come with any storage directions? If it's ampoules, check the box they're in.

I've not personally used methylcobalamin so I'm not certain, but I thought it needs refrigerated/cool storage, ie a cupboard wouldn't be cold enough.

I'm sure someone who uses it will be able to advise correctly.

[fbirder in reply to Louise-G]

Here's an American company that makes methylcobalamin for injections - empower.pharmacy/drugs/meth...

[ndodge in reply to Louise-G]

I just posted this info but the methyl that I use and which I get from a compounding pharmacy here in portland Oregon says to protect it from light and keep it at room temperature. I was later told to keep it at less than 74 degrees F. You can always check with the manufacturer to be sure!

[Louise-G in reply to Chocolate41]

Sorry, check fbirds directions above!

[Rebecca85]

Has anyone recently bought through intravita? I have emailed Nicola as above and also used the email link on their website a few weeks ago yet had no reply.

[fbirder in reply to Rebecca85]

I never did have much faith in them. After all, how can a startup company operate when it's worth about the same amount as a good vacuum cleaner?

beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/...

[Rebecca85]

I've ordered from oxford biosciences now as I am fast running out. It is expensive and I am not sure yet about mixing it yet but needs must. If anyone else has used it please can you let us know your experiences.