Gosh: how important it is, to read the labels. - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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Gosh: how important it is, to read the labels.

35 Replies

I was reading down the list of ingredients in my jar of Vitamin B complex pills and on closer inspection saw B12 listed with the low quality synthetic form of B12 (Cynocobalamin).

I have found that this Vitamin is bound to toxic and poisonous cyanide molecule, that must be removed

by our poor livers.

In our body it does get converted to, Methylcobalamin and Adenosylcobalamin, but leaving behind,

the cyanide molecule.

It won't kill me to take it, but I don,t want to put extra stress on my body,or liver.

I also had in my fridge, an expensive liquid form of Vitamin B,it also contained the B12 as Cynocobalamin....

This is a very cheap way for manufactures to put B12 into my jar of B complex vitamins, and my liquid form.

But they haven't charged me cheap prices for the product!!

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35 Replies
gabkad profile image
gabkad

Well based on that, people shouldn't be gobbling down bluegreen algae supplements either.

But there's a big difference between cyanide in it's active killer form and cyano- whether it is in nature or attached to a vitamin. You can find low amounts of cyanide in almonds, peach pits, apricot pits, apple seeds. There is a species of almond that does contain substantial amounts of cyanide.

The cyanide is what tastes bitter if you eat what's inside a peach pit.

The only 'big deal' about cyanocobalamin is it appears some people don't metabolize it well. Other than that, the 'cyano' portion is metabolized because it's only potassium and nitrogen.

in reply to gabkad

I don't know about bluegreen-algae supplements, so I can't comment.

And we are not eating the kernels of these fruits normally, just the flesh, {I hope }

Yes there is cyanide in the kernels of apricot and peaches but not in the fruit.

In a statement from FSANZ (2014): it now advises it is unsafe for adults to eat more than 3 kernels with skin on per day.

Children should not eat any...

We grow masses of apricots in NZ and so I would make dozens of jars of apricot jam, and bottled dozens of apricots also. I never used the kernel knowing it contained cyanide (hydrocyanic acid )

I didn't realize that the only" big deal"about Cyanocobalamin was that people couldn't metabolize it properly.

We have been encouraged by the forum to always purchase B12 Methylcobalamin and strongly

discouraged to purchase Cyanocobalamin B12.

I have never investigated the reasons why and did so today via goggle.

in reply to

Sorry I posted this accidentally, too early.

As Wiki explains:

Cyanocobalamin does not occur in nature, but is used by pharmaceuticals and supplements and as a food additive. Unquote.

Cyanocobalamin is a low grade, low quality,and slightly toxic { cyanide } form of Vitamin

B12. It won't kill you, but there are better forms of B12.

Methylcobalamin, this is the form that exists in nature.

I do my very best to not put supplements into my mouth, that will give my body another

burden to deal with.

Spareribs profile image
Spareribs in reply to

there are better forms of cobalt, but some is better than nowt - I noticed on my hubby's liver extract it was cyanocobalmamin...

I have the boost spray methyl sort but I don't take it as I paid for an active B12 £57 with TUK discount but I had supplemented, a bit in a multivit - so have to wait 4 months :( (also avoiding my weekly fav liver & onions and pate overdose)

I see boost has apricot extract - isn't there something significant about B17?

anyone not signed the petition yet?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

in reply to Spareribs

Yes, I suppose you are right, if there isn't a choice you have to just take what is there.

My husband would salivate over hearing about your liver and onions AND pate.

I take the Boost with the apricot extract, I feel it is slowly, doing a bit of good, but that my tingling legs and feet and hands, will take ages, if ever, to return to normal.

I think that I will have quite a search on my hands, to find the B12 with Methylcobalamin in tablet form

I had heard of laetrile from years ago, but hadn't realized it was a B Vitamin.

It would still not have induced me to swallow any pill containing laetrile.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Manukia, there are methylcobalamin sublingual lozenges in health food stores and via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/go_sho...

Jarrows Formula do 1,000mcg and 5,000mcg lozenges. Nice lemony taste but not as good as the apricot flavour spray.

in reply to Clutter

Thank you for that Clutter,I am still using the spray, that I was very

kindly recommended.I have noticed an improvement small but

an improvement.

You are such a sweetie..

Manukia

xx

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Manukia, I found the spray effective but so tasty I was getting through it at a rate of knots so switched to Jarrows. No worries about using more than 4 daily sprays if you have neuropathy to sort out, you won't OD on B12.

in reply to Clutter

This test went away today, I asked him to check if possible, the homocysteine as well, if there was enough blood left.

By the time it comes back,it will have taken 3 weeks.

I went private for the tests, it is such a hassle getting the GP to do them.

Are there any side affects if I take 3,000mcg or more.

Thank you for replying

Manukia

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Manukia, 3,000mcg is fine.

in reply to Clutter

Great, thank you.

helenbones profile image
helenbones

interesting - have just started taking a B12 timed release form Holland & Barrett and started to feel nauseous with it. stopped it and restarted to make sure it was just that and sure enough the nausea returned. Have just checked the label and it states B12 as cyanocobalamin.

so thanks for highlighting that

in reply to helenbones

You are very welcome.

{ Better You 12 Boost } under the tongue, contains 1200ug of Methylcobalamin B12 in 4 sprays.

Thank you for replying.

Before everyone gets their knickers in a twist, you actually can't recommend a specific form of B12 because it is very much down to individual genetics as to which one will suit. That is, different people respond to different forms of B12.

I have hydroxo injections, very effective for me. Others who are not doing so well on hydroxo switch to methyl injections and bingo! they've found the one for them. Yet other's do this and crash spectacularly on methyl, beating a hasty retreat back to hydroxo. And yet others swear by cyano injections, it is after all the treatment of choice in the whole of North America and much of Europe. Now this may be down to cost, but the fact remains it works for literally millions of people.

The only reason why the UK changed to hydroxo is because, in theory, it stays in the body longer, hence they can "get away with" administering it far less often. Of course everyone is different in terms of frequency as well, there are long and short responders. And just throwing another curve ball in, many people find they need more than one form of B12. The most active form available, adenosyl, is often taken in sublingual form alongside regular injections of hydroxo or methyl as it seems to help for people who are still experiencing lingering brain fog. Others inject both methyl and hydroxo. B12 treatment is not about just popping a methyl sublingual, it's just not. You are an individual, find what works for you.

But have all tests possible before taking any supplements if you are to have any chance of getting a proper diagnosis. Anyone thinking of starting on sublinguals for the first time, STOP, and read this link first:

b12deficiency.info/what-to-...

And if you want advice try the PAS Healthunlocked forum or the Facebook Group here:

facebook.com/groups/1749289...

Sublinguals will raise your blood levels of B12 but they will not necessarily work at cellular level, injections are almost always best - particularly if you have neuro symptoms, which require alternate day injections until no further improvement.

And as an addition to the above, the same argument holds true for folic acid / methylfolate. It is very much down to the individual as to which form works best for them. And remember, methylfolate is a pharmaceutical company patented product, folic acid is not. So no prizes for guessing which one gets the best press.

H x

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to

hampster,

Do you have any views on time release B12? My gut reaction is that it is marketing over anything else, but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Rod

in reply to helvella

I don't know anything in particular about it, but I would think any oral supplement of B12 is pretty useless for someone with malabsorption (and I would put most 'roidies into that category, it's all about the gut in my mind). So if we're talking about absorption of 1% via passive diffusion, and it's time released on top of that, then I would think you would be getting very little B12. Probably using it up quicker than you're getting it?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to

That is where I am. Thanks.

in reply to

YOU sound as if YOU have got your knickers in a twitch, mine are not.

I was recommended Boost by someone or read about it, on this very forum!!

I had never heard of Boost spray until then!

Should all members stop recommending, or discussing what they use, and find helpful.?

I am not telling anyone, what to buy for B12, I am saying, what I bought for myself.

I am not discussing injections of B12 either, YOU ARE.

And also, it is a wise move to read the labels on your jars of supplements, they are full of fillers., I often see quotes from Wiki in here.Do I have to be careful what I quote here as well?

We all want to know what we are dealing with in a product, so we can make a wise choice.

Perhaps the Forum should have a list of issues we should not discuss, products we mustn't even

mention, really is this what is happening!!

I can't comment on B12 injections, at all, and if I had to have them, like yourself, I would do my own research, and see what would suit me...

Folic acid is synthetic and folate is natural.

Sometimes I don't have a choice, but if I do, I always go for the natural.

Thank you for your information regarding B12, but I have, honestly, forced fed myself on all the information this forum pours out, and I am learning sooo much.

I hope I haven't upset you in anyway,but you did come across as a bit bossy with me.

We use the forum to pick each others brains,we don't always like what we here, but sometimes we do,all information is good, whether we agree with it, or not, it makes us think.

I hope you are doing well on the B12 injections, the lab has sent a sample of mine to check

MMA levels, even if they come back elevated, it still may not reflect the severity of the deficiency.

Thank you for replying hampster.

Keep well

Manukia

in reply to

I was trying to give some useful info, rather than be bossy, to hopefully reassure other people out there reading your post and taking cyanocobalamin that they are not actually harming themselves. As far as I'm aware it's only contraindicated in Leber's Optic Atrophy. You have used the words toxic and poisonous, powerful words.

I chose to talk about injections but the same info applies to sublinguals and tablets, it is all B12, it's just the delivery system that's different.

You say you would always choose natural over synthetic, but I doubt you would if you had experienced the utter despair of crashing on methylfolate, whilst conversely folic acid gives you your life back. This is the reality for many people who have tried both, and I include in that some people who have the MTHFR defect and whose genetics tell them the opposite should be true.

It's not about synthetic versus natural, it's about what works. That was my point.

I'm sorry if it came across as bossy and aimed at you personally, it wasn't. It was just info for other people reading, and it's a subject that I'm passionate about.

And yes, you're right, my knickers are always in a huge twist about the constant recommendations on this forum to supplement B12 before proper investigations have been done, because it skews all the results from that point forward.

One of the reasons why I'd stopped posting actually, think I'll stay out of it in future.

I hope you get some answers from your MMA test, hopefully you were clear of supplements for a few months before the test?

Best of luck, H x

Spareribs profile image
Spareribs in reply to

Oh no! - please hang around Hampster - posts can be confusing & misinterprested sometimes for those who don't know the previous conversations!

As you know I'm one of those who took a bit (only a teensy little bit mind) of B12 before testing - I keep telling everyone my mistake!

- but it's just we want to feel better before we even consider finding the cause... such is life! Jane :D

in reply to Spareribs

:-)

in reply to

Hampster I have sent you a letter,but you may not get the email.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

I second Spareribs. Your knowledge of B12 is superb and I, who have PA, don't think my injections are sufficient, although my Active B12 was o.k.

People who don't have a B12 deficiency cannot imagine what it would be like if they developed a neurological problem which is not easily remedied or if the doctor decides that you no longer need B12 injections as 'your bloods are fine - you don't need injections now', despite having PA. (said to my mother).

in reply to shaws

I can't comment on B12 injections.........................................

It was what I found out, when I researched, why the forum was so against,s cyanocobalamin.

Gabkad said, the only " big deal" was some people can't metabolize it.

Ok that,s right, we are all different, but there was more to it than that.

It appears I hit on something very sensitive in hampster.

When I { or anyone } submit stuff on here, we don't know someone

might be an issue, in this case with "cyanocobalamin ".

We can't not stop enlightening people what we discover, because

some people might not like the information.

This is what I found out about cyanocobalamin.

Hampster started her conversation saying, I can't recommend a product, now we know that is not correct.

She then used the rest of her page to try and " put right " what I had said, I suppose, to reassure others ? herself ?

Her quote,others swear by the cyano injections and how it is treatment of choice in North America, it works for literally millions of people.unquote

Sooooo, it must be very very very good, so why all this over reacting to my piece of information about cyanocobalamin.

It doesn't need any " protecting " by her the information out there about the B12 injections of cyanocobalamin let it speak for itself.

It is described as how I found it in goggle, but I don't know how they

bind cyanocobalamin into an injection.

When we have serious choices to make regarding supplements, we all do our research, we can't go on anyone else,s, because our bodies are different.

But to make these choices, we must have information, good or bad.

You can't stop providing information, and sharing it with others.

Just the other week, a forum member said that T4 came from petrol.

Did all forum members on T4 run to its defense, not one did.

Why, because that was her opinion, and she can say what she likes,

insensitive, yes.

Thank you shaws for the reply.

in reply to

I have always chosen natural over synthetic, wool over nylon, that type of thing.

I have not used the word poison, only toxic, and this I said, when referring to the kernels of apricots.

I actually enjoyed reading your comment it was really informative, and why don't we see you more often, on the forum, doing just that.

You mentioned Adenosyl, a very active form of B12 good for lingering brain fog.

I didn't know that, and there was other stuff you mentioned that were new to me as

well.

You sound a caring person that,s all, you are very passionate about what you know,

and that's good, I would want you on my team for sure.

It is about what works for you, as our bodies are all unique and we all react to certain medications in different ways.

But we all have choices, you could say, talk to me all day about the positives side of B17 laetrile,I still wouldn't swallow it.

It is about what works for you.

You have a lot of energy hampster, shame your wasting it, when you could put it to such good use....

There is nothing wrong in being a nice, caring individual, nothing at all......

Manukia

xx

Spareribs profile image
Spareribs in reply to

B17 (apricot kernel laetrille) is cited/much researched as a cancer cure - better than chemotherapy or bicarb perhaps? obviously no-one would swallow it unless they had exhausted all options....

jn.nutrition.org/content/10...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

we owe much to Hampsters in general (& guinea pigs while we're at it),

PS she's helping to run a wheely informative B12/PA site.. FYI x

in reply to Spareribs

Yes I know, this is what happened in the late 70s, people were turning to laetrile, because they had exhausted all their options.

Perhaps more research could be done today, on laetrile, who knows.

in reply to

Apricot kernel's? We were talking about cyanocobalamin. I was referring to your very first post re the toxic and poisonous cyanide molecule.

I don't really understand what you are getting at with the rest of your comment? I've bored people ad nauseam about B12 on this forum, if you'd like to see any of my posts for more info I think you just have to click on my name.

I'm currently "wasting my energy" looking after my 2 young children who are on school holidays.

H

ps I'm allergic to wool, makes me itch like crazy. Thank goodness for synthetic jumpers ;-)

in reply to

I am very sorry to have given information out about my experiences with B12,spray.

It appears to be your job to do that, you are the expert and you probably are.

But I still can say, how I respond to B12 under the tongue spray....

I stand by what what I found out about cyanocobalamin,you can't remove this information from goggle, because it upsets you hampster.

in reply to

I think you must be in some parallel universe, I wasn't advocating any one form of B12 over another. You can't, it is for the individual to decide what works for them. I am no expert and wouldn't claim to be, I always refer people to PA forums because that's where the best range of advice and experience is found. in the same way, if someone over there has a thyroid question I will invariably refer them here. I have used the Boost spray myself, tastes yummy, but sadly did nothing for me. I'm glad it helped you.

in reply to

You gave me so much information in your first post and second post, why for goodness sake.

I have only mentioned cyanocobalamin, in tablet form,

You can't erase what goggle and other experts say about it.

I have not mentioned B12 injections and I make no comment regarding this.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Manukia, time and energy may have been wasted on you Manukia, you obviously don't appreciate it, but most people appreciate the considerable time and energy Hampster spends on advising about B12 and folate.

in reply to Clutter

How has time and energy been wasted on me ??

How am I to know hampster is the "expert" on B12 and folate??

Where have I trodden on her toes, is it because I mentioned B12 under the tongue spray, to a forum member, can't be, is it ??

No, I think it has to do with the cyanocobalamin information I gave.!!

May72 profile image
May72

Does anybody know if you can take Spirulina tablets whilst taking thyroxin for an underactive thyroid? Have read it shouldn't be taken if you have an overactive thyroid.

in reply to May72

This question is perhaps better asked through the forum, then you will receive many more replies.

Sorry I can't help you.

Manukia

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