Ugh... I KNOW I have seen this info on this site; someone please remind me. I am having bloodwork done (iron, B12, D etc). How many days should I stop taking my supplements before having blood work? Stop taking everything.. or just the specific supplements related to the pending blood work?
Thank you!
I'm not an expert on RLS related medication (although I am an expert in suffering from in). For an allergy test I have to stop using antihistamines a minimum of 4 days before the day of the test. I believe you should consider this to get everything out of your system.
Thanks!
Since iron status and especially the iron storage protein Ferritin is a key to assessing your RLS factors here is a great article on iron tests. It was key for me and many others, but alas not so for many others. bloodtestsresults.com/iron-...
Thanks!
You should suspend all supplementation before having the blood work done, even if you were taking them before symptoms.
B12 is very easily affected by other B vitamin supplements so it's important to cease taking everything.
Were you taking a high dose of B12 already or as part of a multivitamin?
Thanks. B12 is part of my B Complex and my Multi-Vitamin. I alternate taking the B Complex and Multi. I also take extra B6 and B2.
If the B complex and multi-vitamin contains a low dose of B12 then you may be OK for 10-14 days.
The B12 test is very easily affected by any form of supplementation including other B vitamins. I'm not sure what your symptoms are but I'm sure you want to get a good reading for B12 and the test is notoriously unreliable and easily changed with supplements.
If your B12 isn't a mega-strength dose (at around 1,000 mcg or more) you may be OK to stop taking for around 10-14 days. If you're testing for Iron then yes you should suspend other B vits to get the right baseline.
BTW I'm not medically trained but have personally scuppered my blood work with overuse of supplements so hoping to help others avoid the same!
Have you been taking the B complex and Multi-vit for a long time?
Ha... I had to look up the definition of "scuppered"! I'll add that my new naturo saw my list of supplements and requested that I suspend all supplements for 2 weeks to detox from them. I'm still on many, but have stopped quite a few.
Ok... so it sounds like B12 supplements (including B complex and multi that has B12) should be suspended before having bloodwork.
1. Do I need to suspend iron? (I take 2 every other day as Manerva recommends) . According to Manerva, iron is slow to be absorbed so I am hesitant on suspending this.
2. I also take a separate B2 and B6. Do I need to suspend those?
3. Suspend Vit D?
I take other supplements like Quercetin and GABA and NAC, and assume that I can continue to take these.
Thank you,
Kelly
Hi Kelly
Glad to assist with the vocab !
I suspect it's worth consulting your GP or doctor based on everything you're taking. I don't know your medical history or the impact of your supplements on any condition you have.
If you're generally in good health and supplementing, then yes (point 2.) B2 and B6 will probably affect your B12 result so best to suspend them.
Vitamin D may not be as much of an issue, but to get a good reading you probably want 3-4 days away from supplementing at least.
Otherwise, such elevated levels of supplements will basically show up in your bloods that you're 'all good'. Take a step away from the multivitamins and B complex - unless you need to take them for other reasons - and give your body a few days to run out of stores.
This way your bloods will reflect how your body is absorbing all the supplements, because there is a possibility that it may not be. But if there's 'fresh' supplements in the blood the test may be a wasted opportunity.
Good luck!
Super helpful, thank you! And thanks for the vocab lesson, too. Heehee~!
B complex and Multi off and on. My last "on" ... maybe 3 months.
I responded to your other post first. I see now that you do recommend suspending iron.... isn't it more helpful to see my levels with supplementation.. since I do supplement.
I would suggest you consult your GP or the person taking the bloods when it comes to iron supplements. Or indeed any supplements that aren't the ordinary multivatimins.
Ok, so I am still processing why I need to stop supplementation before having bloodwork. In my mind (and my Kaiser doc), wouldn't I want my bloodwork done when I am using my supplements? I would think my bloodwork would measure my the increased levels since I am constantly supplementing and then a doctor could say stop or lower my supplementation. If I pause my supplements and then have bloodwork done, my levels will have dropped and they won't reflect my level. What am I missing???
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