hi can any one tell me can I buy b12 at boots the chemist or Holland and barrets health food shop ,

[teon]

[nostoneunturned]

Read labels, avoid cyanocobalamin, buy only methylcobalamin form of B12. Cyanocobalamin is dangerous, having a cyanide molecule, dangerous for smokers and others with specific eye problem, also not efficient in body.

Do not know about your quoted sources, but Amazon sell B12 tablets, Jarrow's, Swanson's, also patches and sprays.

Best also to take folic acid to ensure adequate folate in system, either bought separately, take about 800 mcg daily, folate is involved in the body, essentially, low folate and your B12 will not be utilised by body.

Might read "Could it be B12?" by Sally Pacholok and Jeffrey Stuart, and "Pernicious Anaemia: the forgotten illness" by Martyn Hooper.

Are you able to post your B12 and folate levels, ferritin also?

[Hidden in reply to nostoneunturned]

I have been taking Jarrows B12 methyl along with a B-Complex containing folic acid and I have just noticed that the B-Complex contains some B12 cyanocobalamin (4micrograms). Would it be better to take the Jarrows with just folic acid and not the B-Complex to avoid the B12 cyano in it?

[nostoneunturned in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I would definitely ditch the cyanocobalamin.

[Rufty10 in reply to nostoneunturned]

The ones I have been prescribed by my GP are cyanocobalamin and only 50mcg. The H&B ones claim to be 1200mcg. Would I be better ditching the prescription??

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Rufty10]

This is a five-year-old thread and your response is likely to be missed.

I suggest you write a new post asking your question.

[begutbegut]

I agree with the above, and the Holland and Barrett vit B12 is cyanocobalamin, unfortunately. So I would avoid that one and get one of the supplements recommended above from Amazon.

A

[teon in reply to begutbegut]

thank you for your reply but I don't know if I need them , I just thought it might be better if I did take them seeing every one on hear seems to be taking them , thanks again x

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to teon]

The best answer is that you should have a blood test.

We appreciate that this is not always easy (persuading a GP), affordable (if done privately) or useful (unless the more recent Active B12 test), so it is entirely understood if you decide to take some anyway.

However even a standard Full Blood Count can sometimes provide some evidence of low B12.

Make sure you have any test results printed off from your doctor/surgery.

Rod

[teon in reply to helvella]

thank you rod for writing back ,

[Angel_of_the_North]

A local independent health food shop is more likely to stock good brands than H&B or Boots. B12 should be methylcobalamin- I get the Jarrow formulas B12 online from bigvits.co.uk who specialise in American brands. Only takes about a day to arrive, so often less hassle than going into town..