Injections Cyanocobalamin vs. Methylcobalamin

[mc88]

Hello

I’m looking for some info. I currently get my Vitamin B12 Injections Cyanocobalamin every 10 weeks. But feel no significant difference.

I have read that Methylcobalamin is a kinder more natural supplement.

Does anybody have any experience in changing from one to another and is this something gp’s are open to.

Note : I have an under-active thyroid, haemochromatosis as well as b12 deficiency

Thanks in advance

M

[MarsBarKid]

If your absorption rate is good - ie Folate is OK as I understand it - then why not take B12 via vitamin supplement saves those holes in veins.

I have only taken it this way for last couple of years when on here, learned that my low hemoglobin was due to having had P Anemia age 15 in UK and no GP ever told me it was for life.

Long story short, had burning heel pain as well as thigh pain - GP didn't tell me hip going west just arthritis - went on line found US site saying try B12 supplement so did. And pain in heels was lessened within a few weeks.

Recently had trouble refusal for hip surgery re low hemoglobin and had B12 tested and was 942 which is high so it works and now cut it down from daily o 3 times a week. I take Thompson's of Australia B12 as its best around I was told and it works. I have had the surgery now as went private and their anesthetist male, not female, said OK when told P N etc. Survived ha ha.

I am sure you can order it on line at one of the many online UK chemists. Or they can get it in. Checked Thompson's and only ship Australia China and New Zealand to individuals. But I bet they ship to on line in other countries too or maybe local manufacturer.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi mc88 if you are having cyanocobamalin injections they should be every four weeks - not ten - so it's little wonder you are feeling little benefit.

I'm not a medically trained person but have had P.A. since 1972 on monthly cyano injections and I'm still "clivealive" and over 75.

I wish you well.

[Johnathan]

The title of your post made me smile. A mistake in just one letter can make SUCH a difference!!

However - Cyanocobolamin is the cheapest form of B12 and in my experience clears out of the body quickly. One shot every 10 weeks is unikely to cut the mustard. Methyl is much better. This is the form that the body uses it in and to get to this state the body has to convert the Cyanocobolamin to Methylcobolamin. If your body has problems with your methylation cycle you could have conversion problems. I have also heard it said that Methyl has a longer half-life in the body than Cyanocobolamin. This fits with observations of my wife who has PA (and an underactive thyroid).

Under active thyroid often goes with B12 deficiency. There seems to be a link, but a causal connection is not well defined in the medical literature. From an anecdotal viewpoint my wife has finally got sufficient B12 and she is now having her Thyroxine medication reduced by her GP. If you get your B12 properly sorted, it is possible that your thyroid issue may resolve itself.

The haemochromatosis is a different matter altogether. It is a congenital condition from the combination of two recessive genes (damned bad luck) and therefore incurable. You need to be very careful about iron intake. I have no experience of the interaction of B12 deficiency with haemochromatosis. As your body has problems shedding iron there is a potential build-up to toxic levels in your liver and other tissues. If your liver cannot discard it properly, it is possible that lack of B12 may exacerbate the haemochromatosis. This is speculation - but any biochemical process requires energy and without B12 the cells have problems generating it.

If your GP remembers any useful amount of biochemistry from his/her student days (mine does not!!) you should discusss this with him/her. If I was in your position I would switch to Methylcobolamin and take it on a more regular basis than every 10 weeks. I would be really careful about dietary iron consumption. I would watch the symptoms carefully and be prepared to adjust treatment as necessary. I would take the thyroxine as prescribed by the GP - but if B12 comes up to scratch watch out for symptoms of too much thyroxine (itching, insomnia, overheating, raised blood-pressure - feeling jumpy). If in doubt get your GP to test your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels. When your blood levels of Thyroid hormone are too high, your TSH levels will go below the normal range. GP's are usually quite happy to do this test and if their test comes in low, reduce your thyroxine prescription.

I hope this helps. Best of luck.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Johnathan]

methyl is one of the forms used by cells - however, the process for getting B12 into your cells involves breaking of the cobalamin/hydroxo/methyl element to combine with another compound to enable it to get into the cell and then recombining it with methyl or adenosyl in the cell depending on what process it is needed for. methyl works well for some people - it doesn't work well for other people.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

if you are in the UK you should be on hydroxocobalamin not cyanocobalamin.

Generally maintenance with cyanocobalamin should be at least monthly

unfortunately methylcobalamin is not licensed for use in the UK.

[Paulaw22]

Have they said that Your just deficient or have pernicious Aneamia? There is a big difference particularly with treatment. Hypothyroidism is linked to PA that’s why I’ve asked. If Your definitely just deficient then you can take tablets and there is a methyl compound available in an under tongue spray from Holland and Barrett but don’t think you would benefit if your deficient? It’s more for PA and helps with brain fog you can get. Your doctor should have your levels on computer from blood tests and if they’re low he/ she can advise you. I have severe PA which has affected every organ and I grow tumours mainly due to the fact I was diagnosed very late and my levels were 33!

They’re now 500 which have gone up due to 6 weekly injections and top up with the spray.

As stated earlier it depends on where you live really and your diagnosis.

Also if your deficient, change your diet. More dark leafy veg and red meat. Also fish, which I’m addicted to.

Good luck!

[mc88]

Thank you everyone for taking time to reply. I am going to gp next week for a full blood test so will post results when they are in!