How much mg of Vit b12 recommended

My active b12 is 27 pmol/l. Just wondering how much vitb12 is required per day to get it back up? I'm looking at betteryou b12 spray. It says 1200mg per spray. Will that be fine?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

have you discussed things with your GP?

Could it be a dietary deficiency? If so the spray is overkill. B12 that the human body can use is only found in animal products. There are some foods that are fortified and some drinks.

If it is an absorption problem then it is possible that the spray will work and get your B12 levels up but it is going to be slow. If you have neurological symptoms then you really need injections to raise it quickly.

If your thyroid problems are auto-immune then there is a high chance you will also have developed PA - another autoimmune problem that affects B12 absorption. Coeliacs is another possible cause of B12 absorption problems - see you mentioned that on another forum.

[Hidden in reply to Gambit62]

No I haven't discussed with gp as I feel that if I tell him, he will not refer me to a gastroenterologist and will just put it down to b12 deficiency as I am unintentionally losing weight along with other bowel problems, despite normal having blood and stool tests (currently awaiting coeliac disease antibody test to come back). I don't think it is anything to do with my diet as all of this seem to have come on 2-3mnths ago. My thyroid is normal, blood tests by medichecks and gp have showed that so it isn't my thyroid. I don't have any neurological issues at the moment, occasionally sciatica but I've always had that since having a csection. Symptoms I am having is tiredness, being completely bone idle, nervousness, anxiety and just feeling like crap. Thinking I could make a start on the spray and see how I go while I wait for the coeliac bloods to come back x

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

be aware that starting the spray is likely to have an adverse effect on attempts to diagnose a B12 absorption problem.If this started suddenly then that actually suggests that it isn't B12 and the B12 result you have is actually just normal for you even though it is lower than most people - the result is still in the 'normal' range. Folate deficiency onset symptoms tend to have a more sudden onset.

If you are losing weight that isn't a symptom of B12 deficiency - but it could be a symptom of the cause of B12 absorption problems and your GP should support investigating that and a referral to a gastro specialist sounds like a good idea.

[charks in reply to Hidden]

I am also a celiac. Makes life very difficult. I just wrote a post telling about my experience taking oral B12 and the protocol that helps it work for me. If you want to know more you can message me.

[doityourself in reply to Gambit62]

Gambit, I knew thyroid problems were often found in people with PA but I had no idea it affected b12 absorption as well. Thank you for that snippet.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to doityourself]

to be clear - slow gut transit CAN affect absorption of vitamins and minerals in some patients with hypothyroidism but it won't affect everyone. Whilst B12 is a vitamin that could be affected I think iron is the most commonly affected micronutrient.

[Sleepybunny]

A few links about B12 deficiency and PA that may be of interest....

Link about "What to do next" if B12 deficiency suspected

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

B12 books I found useful

"What You Need to Know About Pernicious Anaemia and B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Martyn Hooper is the chair of PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society). BNF treatment info in book is out of date. See BNF link in this reply for up to date info.

"Living with Pernicious Anaemia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency" by Martyn Hooper

Has several case studies.

"Could it Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses" by Sally Pacholok and JJ. Stuart (US authors)

Very comprehensive with lots of case studies.

"Vitamin B12 deficiency in Clinical Practice" (subtitle "Doctor, you gave me my life back!" by Dr Joseph Alexander "Chandy" Kayyalackakom and Hugo Minney PhD

I am not medically trained.

[Hidden]

That's what I used. I took about three or four sorays though and might have overdone it as my tickling sensations went away but I also got weird leg feelings so I stopped. I'm taking it again now but only going to take one soray. Someone said it might have been a good sign of my blood rebuilding the way my legs felt but it didn't feel nice and I'd rather it happen slowly and not feel weird than suddenly and make me feel odd. I think mine also says its 2000% RDA. So plenty.