Vit Deficiencies - To dose....or not to dose pre new set of tests.

[Treesong2023]

Hello lovely people in here.

As my Neurophysiologist strongly suspects I have a Vitamin deficiency / or deficiencies - and it's likely it B12 and the other B's I am short of...

She is recommending a range of blood tests...to clarify/ identify.

But I am wondering whether I should start using a good quality OTC Vitamin complex ( in drops form ) - now? - i.e. before I have those tests..?

Having had some nerve damage in my feet I am thinking I should get the B's back in me asap..?

But I worry that this would I end up skewing the new set of bloods due in January? This might further cloud the diagnostic outcome...?

Views, thoughts and outlooks massively welcome.

Suggestions on a good quality a full range B complex product also much appreciated. 😃

With all thanks.

[Technoid]

If the tests are reasonably soon, I would wait before starting any supplementation as it can skew results, especially important for B12. Biotin should not be taken close to any Thyroid tests. I personally like RDA level supplements such as health4all.co.uk/product/b-... . Most B-Complexes have thousands of times the RDA of many vitamins which seems a bit pointless to me unless you are deficient, and just gives your kidneys more work to clear it from your system in order to produce expensive urine.

Many supermarket multi's also supply RDA's of vitamins and are usually quite affordable.

[Treesong2023 in reply to Technoid]

Seasonal Greetings to you Technoid! And many thanks for your advice, and the link to vit supplements. They look a very good option indeed. 👍🫶

My letter from Neurophysiologist won't get to GP until mid Jan 2023. So, I will be starting to taking in B12 complex I think.

As it feels like I am letting my nerves get more damaged, and I am not acting on what I have learnt from my " research " ( ha!)

I have read that as all types of B vits are water soluble, they are used up / discharged over a few days...? So, if I drop them on Monday, they are gone by Friday..?

Many thanks again!

🎄☃️❄️🌻🫶

[Technoid in reply to Treesong2023]

Seasons greetings

It was once thought that all water soluble vitamins are nontoxic at any dose but several now have whats called "tolerable upper limits" which should not be exceeded except under doctors prescription. B3 (Niacin) may cause flushing at high doses, B9 (folate) has various concerns which advise keeping supplementation under 1000mcg a day (I would be even more cautious tbh), but most importantly, B6 can cause neurotoxicity if taken at very high doses doses over sustained periods (months to years). However, most supplements supply B6 at 25mg a day or less which is well below the 50mg thought to cause issues. Neurological problems are seen at 100mg+. So unless you take a high dose B supplement more frequently than it says on the labeling, issues are unlikely. But I do prefer RDA supplements in general as I don't see a sufficiently compelling case for the ultra-high dose ones. Situation could be different if you are not absorbing and/or tests show a deficiency though.

[Treesong2023 in reply to Technoid]

Thanks Technoid. Good to be aware of. I agree with this balanced, non-overloading outlook.

I anticipate the tests mid / late Jan.

🤞🤞🤞

[helvella in reply to Technoid]

The precise chemical form (vitamer) of some of these substances appears important, as well.

(The ones that get me are those which bung in same numerical amount of each substance. Like 100 of everything. Switching between micrograms and milligrams without consideration. And just because of the arithmetical coincidence that it is possible to take 100 without being positively dangerous - not for any health, medical, nutritional, benefit.

Vitamins for easy advertising and promotion.)

[Treesong2023 in reply to helvella]

Hi Helvella, and a Happy Holiday Time. Yes, it takes ages to understand what is there..how much you need...and the different forms of the different types of Vits. The price ranges you see are bonkers!!

[Pickle500]

DO NOT TAKE ANY SUPPLEMENTS BEFORE A TEST!!!!!

You WILL distort and skew the bloods. The tests are there to test your blood now. If you start supplements, you will begin treatment thus making any tests null and void. You will be left alone to manage your symptoms and may likely make things worse.

Hold on for a while. Short term pain for long term gain. You are not a Doctor.

[Treesong2023 in reply to Pickle500]

Hello Pickle , I hear you. But I won't be tested until the last week of Jan. So, I am worried about leaving some remedial action for nearly a month..? Thank you for sharing your view on my question. 🫶🙏

[Pickle500 in reply to Treesong2023]

If you do supplement, recovery will be in your hands only. Your Neurophysiologist will tell you 'everything is normal' and will not accept your plea that you've been supplementing. You will most likely supplement the dosage incorrectly and then make things worse for yourself.

I understand what you're saying. But I did what you did and I regret it every single day. Its 2 years later and I remain undiagnosed and with residual problems.

You can reverse the damage if you're tested. One month is not so long.

It's your decision. But if I were you I would hold onto the physician's help. Once you supplement, it will be gone.

[Wwwdot]

I would wait. I had a range of neurological symptoms which I had had for some time and have cleared as a result of B12 injections but if I hadn’t tested low in B12 I wouldn’t have had access to the injections.

[ChesilPebble]

I wish I could go back and tell myself not to start supplementing. I pushed up the numbers without making myself feel any better and was excluded from treatment by my gp because my results were then in the normal range.

It’s entirely your choice but if you can, please consider waiting.

Good luck with your recovery.

[Treesong2023]

Thank you vm Chesil Pebble. I see the problem. So, you made up the deficiencies you had, but your underlying health conditions persisted. Your GP said " no problems here..." but the hidden cause was not diagnosed?

[ChesilPebble in reply to Treesong2023]

Yes, correct. B12 tablets and patches raised my total b12 which gp took as a sign that there was no problem.

I needed loading doses which were triumphantly denied. The advice on this forum led me to self injections and gradual recovery.

[Treesong2023 in reply to ChesilPebble]

👍🙂

[Pickle500 in reply to Treesong2023]

Yes, a deficiency needs to a review by a Doctor who can then prescribe the appropriate dosage. By taking things into your own hands, you risk incorrect treatment which can make things worse.

A sublingual may make you temporarily feel better but it is unlikely to adequately lead to proper recovery.

Supplementing stops you uncovering the cause but it also stops you getting correct treatment. And doing it yourself adds more stress and fear that is simply not worth it, unless you are at the brink of despair or unable to function. If you can wait, wait. Numbers aren't enough for B12, it requires correct treatment with loading doses. Rarely can this be bypassed successfully.