Levo, T3, NDT, Vitamins? And different brands. It's all very complicated.

[looselywoven]

I visit this site every day. I read, and consider, and hopefully learn from every single post I see, even though I know that sometimes I have tried to move too quickly, expecting to get well - and not yet quite getting there. Since my last couple of posts, when I gave my blood results which looked as if I was a bit over medicated and then when I wrote of my work situation, I have taken comments on board and reduced my workload as much as I can safely do at the present time (without losing my job). I have stopped teaching, which although that will impact on my income, will, at least allow me some annual leave to relax. I've got a week off work coming up which I wouldn't have been able to take, otherwise. Mentally and emotionally, I already feel better about that. My grandaughter will be on holiday herself, so I'll have some time to do (or not to do) as I like. Today I was even feeling well enough to mow the lawn and do some trimming in the garden - even after a full day at work!

Not wanting to waffle - the point of my post is this. I've mentioned before about taking B12. If I don't take it for even a few days my tinnitus returns, which reminds me of the importance of taking it. Neuralgia type pain in my head and tingling around my mouth on the same side as my tinnitus.

My grand daughter's B12 level was very low and she showed all the classic symptoms of low B12. We wasted some time in trying to get an appointment with the doctor (mainly because, at 15 years old, she was very particular in which doctor in the practise she was willing to see and partly because we just couldn't get an appointment for weeks and weeks.). Although she was very unwell, and I would have liked a diagnosis, we decided to start supplementing B12. I have always taken Solgar 1000ug sublingual, 3 or 4 a day. We very quickly ran out of my supply and bought Holland and Barrett B12 because they were on the penny offer. Not only is she not getting well, but I am slipping back to all my symptoms - tinnitus, tingling around my lips, face pain and brain fog ( which I haven't had since the beginning of the year)!.

They are rubbish, aren't they?!

If it wasn't for my own symptoms, I would be thinking that for her it must be something else. But I feel that my return of symptoms tells it's own story.

Does anyone else have the same problem?

Also, as a bit of an aside, I was advised to take magnesium several years ago, for my very bad headaches (at the same time as I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome). It was like a magic cure (for the headaches - not the fatigue). I have had very rare headaches since then, until recently when I've been taking H&B B12 AND, unfortunately H&B magnesium (penny offer again!)

I'm saying - don't waste money on H&B. Thoughts appreciated.

[helen_m]

Hi looselywoven

I totally agree about H & B - I only go there if I'm desperate and have run out of my normal brands! They have a few things that are OK (ie not the H & B brand - I've found Solgar Magnesium Citrate there for example) They tend to use the bad versions of the vitamin there - for instance their B12 is using cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin, the latter being the most active in the human body and the one it is best supplementing with. H&B magnesium is rubbish as well, I can't remember what kind of magnesium they are using - but the best types of magnesium I've found (for myself) are magnesium citrate and magnesium glycinate.

I guess the best thing to do is research constantly - I am always googling - "best types of magnesium for hashimotos" or "types of b12" and reading lots.

Good luck

[looselywoven in reply to helen_m]

And I thought they were one of the good guys!

[GosportNancy in reply to looselywoven]

I am sending you the bill for cleaning the coffee spray from my laptop screen...pmsl

[looselywoven in reply to GosportNancy]

sorry. lol

[helen_m in reply to looselywoven]

You're better off either buying online - even good brands can be bought from Amazon, or going to an independent health food shop

[foxglove]

Would you kindly tell me what is the prob. with H&B magnesium?. I use their100mg magnesium citrate (only want low dose) and find them alright I agree with you about their own brands in general, Find their B12 and other vit. supps. no use! However we're all different and a bit of trial and error- also expense! needed

[GosportNancy in reply to foxglove]

I buy all my supplements from Nature's Best as I have been buying from them since the 90's and have never been disappointed

[looselywoven in reply to GosportNancy]

do you get those online? Actually, I really like Solgar - only got H&B because they had the sale on and I needed to replenish a lot all at the same time.

[foxglove in reply to GosportNancy]

Thanks for this reply, checked out Nature's Best and they have Mag. Cit. 150 mg for £10 120 tabs which works out at about same price as H&B. almost finished present supply so next time will order from Natures Best . Like a lot of folks I am a bit wary of H&B's own brands - no doubt unfounded

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to foxglove]

foxglove "Like a lot of folks I am a bit wary of H&B's own brands - no doubt unfounded"

You are right to be wary. It's fine to buy from H&B provided it is a well known, quality brand. Avoid all their own brand stuff. They can afford to have penny sales because in their own brand they use the cheapest, least bioavailable ingredients, usually the wrong sort (eg B12) and they really are a waste of money and do very little.

Mag citrate can be bought in powdered form which you can make into a pleasant drink. It may work out cheaper than tablets depending on the dose you want. I use Natural Calm mag citrate, on Amazon at the moment for £11.95 for 226g. They recommend 4g of powder to give their recommended dose of 350mg magnesium and that works out at 21p.

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks again for reply, I have tried the natural calm but even in small doses caused me the runs (or to be more explicit the gallops) in fact I think I've still got a lot of it at the back of my cupboard. I can use better you oil but none of the other brands just don't work

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to foxglove]

foxglove Ah yes, mag citrate can have a laxative effect, it's the citric acid. If you haven't bought any yet, do consider that if mag citrate powder has caused the runs, a mag citrate tablet might have the same effect.

Have you seen the article about the different forms of magnesium

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out Magnesium Glycinate, that might be a better form for you if you're thinking of changing from your Better You oil.

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks but I find tabs in low dose and the B.Y oil ok. we just have to experiment and spend !!! to find what works

[greygoose]

Totally agree with you!