Advice on B12 complex please.

[Cn13]

Hi Everyone,

I would just like some advice on taking B12 complex please. Just wondering if this is usually necessary long term if someone is self injecting B12 which I am. At the moment I am taking Swansons B12 which does have Biotin in it. I am wondering if Biotin is needed. i mainly started taking it as it has folate in it and my levels were low last time they were tested. I would just like to know if I need to keep supplementing when SI please? Thank you.

[fbirder]

Personally, no.

I try to eat healthily and supplement with Vitamin D (5000 units four times a week), folate (400 ug four times a week ) and iron bisglycinate (20 mg four times a week). In the past I've had low levels of all three, so I take a low dose, just to keep them topped up.

[Cn13 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you fbirder for your reply. I too have had low levels of those 3 in the past. I am also trying to eat healthily. I will follow your advice and just finish the b complex I have left and then buy some folate instead. I don't want to be taking anything unnecessary.

I am also supplementing with Vitamin d. My ferritin levels are still a problem too so I'm also supplementing iron. Will any type of folate be ok to take?

[fbirder in reply to Cn13]

For the vast majority folic acid is as good as, if not better, than any other folate. A very few might find methylfolate works better, although it costs significantly more.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Cn13 if it's any consolation you cannot overdose on Vitamin B12 as any excess is excreted via your urine.

I guess the only "constraints" are if you feel a benefit from the extra supplements to your injections and the size of your purse.

I am not a medically trained person but have had P.A. for 46 years

[Cn13 in reply to clivealive]

Hi Clive,

Thank you also for your reply. That's good to know thank you. To be honest I don't think I've noticed much difference between taking or not taking the B complex. Yes it was more the size of my purse I am thinking about ! Unless it was completely necessary I could do without the added expense of extra supplements.

I will buy the folate or maybe the cheaper Folic Acid. Thank you for your advice again fbirder . I'll probably get the folic acid then if that is similar and cheaper!

Thank you both.

[Hidden]

Our family has used B complex as an Anti-Insect defense for many years. You can also use Marmite as an alternative on your morning toast, unless of course you are one who doesn't like it. After spotting a report of this being effective some years ago it was and has been a real boon to the ones who are the 'midge magnets' in the family.

Our daughter, and now myself, are B12 deficient and neither of us has ever been plagued by the biting insects and when we do get bitten it isn't the serious problem my wife and the grandsons have always had. Biting insects have been the destruction of some fine holidays in the past with my wife needing to go around in an all encompassing shroud, covered in foul smelling unguents and a haze of sprays. The rest of our little family having to sit in a caravan with tight shut windows and burning moon-tigers. We have lamented not having found the solution to the problem earlier.

With the spring and summer approaching it may we worth mentioning this to family members as a spread of Marmite on toast every morning or popping a B complex pill is a minor irritation to potentially solve a very big one.

[Cn13 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you kcbrecks,

That is very useful to know thank you. Unfortunately I am one of the people who can't stand Marmite. But I will keep in mind your other solution to the dreaded biting insects.

[Hidden in reply to Cn13]

It was our local pharmacist who suggested the B Complex pills as was surprised we didn't already know about, so it must be common knowledge to them. No more Moon Tigers smouldering, Tiger Balm, and so on.