Raising B12 myself

[Jenna5]

Hi,

I’ve been referred over here by the thyroid forum as they’ve told me I need to get my b12 to optimal to help start feeling more like myself again. My results from last week were b12 220 ( range 180-930). My doctor isn’t interested in helping me raise them so I need alternatives, I don’t think I could inject myself without passing out so would be grateful for any alternatives.

I’m also trying to raise my Vit D levels so now taking Vit D and K2 supplements.

Thanks

Jenna

[Penni]

Have you thought about trying b12 patches? I've seen them for sale through Amazon.

[Johnathan]

Jenna

There is solid reason to suppose that the reference (normal) range is wrong, but doctors still use it. Add to this that the test for serum B12 is unreliable and that GP's in the UK do not (in my experience) do confirmatory tests (MMA and Homocystiene). Further to this the NICE protocol of an injection every three months is inadequate. If you roll it all into a ball it is a pretty grim picture and B12 deficiency is therfore not well managed in the UK.

You have four options:

1 Sub-lingual Methylcobolamin lozenges. These slowly dissolve under the tongue and release the B12 through the membranes directly into the blood-stream. This will take some time and you may have to be patient.

2 Transdermal Methylcobolamin patches. These can be placed on the arm, tummy or any other convenient area of bare skin. They will leech B12 through your skin into your blood-stream. Again - this is slow so you will need to be patient.

3 Find a friendly nurse who is prepared to give you the necessary injections of Methylcobolamin or Hydroxocobolamin, source your own supply and go completely independent.

4 Take up the cudgels with your doctor and argue your case. (Best of luck with this one!!)

Dont forget to take Folate so your body can use the B12.

I hope it works out well for you.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

I know there is a lot of chatter about 'optimal' B12 levels on TUK. Reality is that people vary so much in how they respond to B12 that there really is no such thing that applies to all individuals.

I assume from your response that you are symptomatic of B12 deficiency - symptoms overlap hugely with thyroid problems

pernicious-anaemia-society....

if you aren't symptomatic then you don't need to supplement. I wouldn't recommend supplementation with high dose oral unless you know you have an absorption problem as raising serum B12 can cause problems that stop your cells getting enough B12. No way of knowing at the moment who is affected by this.

If you have a history of declining B12 problems then you have an absorption problem.

In terms of supplementing you can try nasal sprays (3% absorption on average), sublinguals (just over 1% on average), high dose oral (just under 1% on average). You need to be taking a dose fo 1000mcg/day or more. B12 isn't toxic so you just need to experiment to find the dose you need, though it doesn't work for everyone. Would suggest that you go for hydroxo or cyanocobalamin. There is a lot of hype about methyl being better but it is based on some misconceptions about the way your body processes B12.