Blood test, what vitamins to check?

[deepocean]

For those injecting B12, what should they ask their provider to check on blood testing.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi deepocean I'm not medically trained but it wouldn't hurt to have your iron and Vitamin D levels tested.

I take it you are not in the U.K.

[deepocean in reply to clivealive]

Thanks Clive.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to deepocean]

Probably not bother with further testing and carry on with the cyano as long as you continue to feel the benefit you apparently do from other comments

I wish you well.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Iron based anaemia (microcytic) is different from the type of anaemia caused by B12 and folate deficiency (macrocytic) - not all anaemia's are caused by iron deficiency.

If you have iron deficiency and B12 and folate deficiency then the two types of anaemia can mask each other.

The vitamins and minerals most commonly deficient in people who have B12 absorption problems are folate, iron and vitamin D.

It is also worth monitoring thyroid levels.

[deepocean in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to deepocean]

sounds like it was just vitamin B12 then

if you are okay the don't think there is any really reason to ask for continuous testing.

[deepocean in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit & Fbirder.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to deepocean]

Do you notice an improvement when you have an injection and then the symptoms come back - if so then you need B12 more frequently. If the B12 isn't making any difference then that suggests there is something else going on.

you could try different forms of B12 but I doubt that you have built up a tolerance to cyanocobalamin and you should be aware that many people do have problems with methyl - anxiety etc.

[deepocean in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit.

[fbirder in reply to deepocean]

Yup. Iron and folate deficiencies often go together with B12 deficiency.

In the UK we are recommended to take Vitamin D supplements during fall and winter because there isn't enough UV to make it in the skin. If you're living in the northern US I would do the same.

If you eat a sensible diet then you there is no reason at all why you should need anything more than those.

[deniseinmilden]

The processes of DNA synthesis, nerve function and energy release that use B12 also used many other vitamins and minerals.

Many people benefit from taking a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and iron, ideally from their diet, rather than just a B-Complex.

With a B-Complex it is possible to have too much of some of the other B vitamins while still being short of other critical vitamins and minerals.

An inexpensive, supermarket multivitamin and mineral supplement usually provides all that your body needs in good balance and is often better than the more expensive branded ones which are just trying to add something "fancy" and unnecessary to stand out so they can charge more. People often fall into the trap of thinking that it can only really be good for them if it costs a lot!

One of the side effects of too much methylfolate is headaches and I suspect that these are being caused for you by the methylfolate in your B-Complex.

A generic (unbranded) multivitamin and mineral supplement will have folic acid as its source of vitamin B9 as this is well tolerated by most people and should be much better for you.

As far as testing is concerned it could be worth having your folate, potassium, magnesium and iron levels checked.

It is often a good idea to get your vitamin D levels checked too but if you are getting plenty of sunshine and your body is working properly then vitamin D is probably OK - it's more of an issue in the UK and similar climates or if the B12 deficiency is linked to vitamin D synthesis problems by damage to cells or genetic predisposition.

I hope this helps.

[deepocean in reply to deniseinmilden]

Hi Denise, thank you for the info.

[fbirder in reply to deepocean]

DFE is Dietary Folate Equivalent. It means that the two types of folate you're taking will give you the same amount of folate in the blood as if you were to eat 668 mcg of folate in food. The folate in food despite being 'natural' is more difficult to absorb than folate in supplements.

[deepocean in reply to fbirder]

Okay, thanks.

[Hidden]

MMA, Homocysteine, folate, intrinsic factor

note most recent injection prior to lab draws.

Also, research the right form of vitamin D, magnesium and folate for proper absorption.