My B12 is 284 (range 190 - 910) so of course the doc says it's within range so @fine'!
I'm sure I read somewhere on here that B12 is better if it's somewhere in the middle of the range, in my case about 550.
Does anyone have info / thoughts on this.
Thanks
Hi matty, use the advice here specifically for hypothyroids since we need more support than others do. Always get a print out of any blood tests and try to keep them at optimal levels. European values may be a bit different so check all the way to the bottom of the page.
Most people feel at their best with a B12 level around 1000. It isn't poisonous so levels higher than that are not a problem either.
Matty220
There is no information on your profile and don't know whether or not you are hypo/hyper/hashi's.
Your B12 is far too low. For us who are on this forum the recommendation is that we should have a B12 level of around 1,000. Marz usually responds to B12 queries and might well do if she looks in today.
You can supplement with vitamin B12 sublingual methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin) and because they are sublingual will bypass your stomach and be absorbed more quickly. The usual doses are 1,000 or 5,000. We cannot overdose as excess is excreted.
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Important to take a GOOD B Complex with the B12 as Folic Acid works with the B12 in the body. It enables the B12 to hang around longer. You may wish to research Folic Acid v Methylfolate - the FA is synthetic and the MF natural.
With a result under 500 you can begin to suffer neurological damage - and if left untreated can be irreversible. GP's understand very little and the Drug companies cannot patent a vitamin - so there's nothing to be made - financially speaking.
So learn as much as you can - self treat and find wellness. You wish to explore WHY you have such low B12 - is it low acid in the stomach ? Gut issues preventing the uptake in the Terminal Ileum ?
Sally Pachlok wrote the book - Could it Be B12 - and she suggests a level of 1000 to prevent cognitive decline. In Japan the range STARTS at 500 - 1300.
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
Please scroll down in the above link to see all the signs and symptoms. Also check out the films on the Left of the page. Also there is good information on every aspect of B12D - along with the required additional testing.
Marz, if you don't mind me asking, what folic acid do you take and dose?
H x
Thanks Marz. How would I find out the reason for a deficiency?
Hi matty - yes Heloise is right about the low acid. Also you may wish to consider testing for PA - Perncious Anaemia - just in case. Also healing the gut is quite important if you have any gut issues. Most B12 is absorbed in the Terminal Ileum - I only know this because I don't have one 
My late reply is due to living in Crete and we are two hours ahead of the UK.....so bedtime comes sooner for me !
Wow! How did you find out you don't have one?
Lucky you, being in Crete! Beautiful place, I've had various fabulous holidays there x
I don't know where to start with getting tested for PA, or for general gut issues. I know I have an intolerance to milk, I think lactose as I'm ok with cheese and yogurt, and I get reflux sometimes
You ask to have the anti-bodies tested for Intrinsic Factor and Parietal cells. If the test is negative you can sometimes have a false negative and still have PA. There is a forum on HU for PA - pop over there and ask some questions about the best way to diagnose PA. A very helpful group of people.
I've just looked online again and see there is #12, #6, #5 and Basic!!
Which to choose?
I have the Basic at the moment. There should be a Supplement Facts section so you can see the amounts of each B. There is 400 mcg of B12.
thorne.com/products/dp/basi...
Scroll down and click onto Ingredients.
matty, I don't know if Marz will see your question. Many times it is because of low stomach acid which is needed to absorb B12. Low acid is a typical symptom of hypos.
When you have underactive thyroid your B12 levels need to be high enough for your body to utilise the thyroid meds. I think that 284 is too low, as only a percentage of that will be reaching cellular level. Do you get B12 injections? Have a look at the Pernicious Anaemia Society website for more info, they deal with all forms of low B12, not just PA. Martyn Hooper has written three very good books explaining the very real need for B12 in the body. Also, the dangers of it being too low! Supplemental sprays and sublingual tablets will boost your levels, but will obviously affect any future blood tests. MariLiz
Ps I am no expert, just someone who has both issues.
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