B12 supplement: I think I need to to take a b1... - Thyroid UK

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B12 supplement

ali56 profile image
17 Replies

I think I need to to take a b12 supplement but confused by which one to take

Can someone who has experience of taking b12 advise on a good one.

Thanks

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ali56
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17 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

ali56 You need sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges, Solgar or Jarrows are usually recommended. Dosage depends on what level you currently are, have you tested? When taking B12 we also need a good B Complex to balance the B vitamins. Thorne or BioCare are good.

ali56 profile image
ali56 in reply to SeasideSusie

Hi Seasidesusie

Thank you for your prompt reply. Had b12 blood test last week

Came back 445 range 225-1300 so am at lower end of range.

Am in remission from graves but think I am hypo at present as

TSH is 3.58 I know that is normal to gp's but they are not concerned with symptoms. Thought I would try B12 supplement

To give me some energy and make me feel more alive.

Ali56

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to ali56

ali56 Oh, you definitely need a B12 supplement. Anything under 500 can cause neurological problems, recommended level is top of range. I would go for the 5000mcg lozenges for a couple of months then reduce to 1000mcg as a maintenance dose. I use Solgar but some members use Jarrows and are happy with it.

Start the B12 and if no adverse reaction after a week or two then add in the B Complex. B vits are best taken in the morning, no later than lunchtime, as they can be stimulating.

ali56 profile image
ali56 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you so much for your reply will order some solgar tomorrow as have just read up on them.

hantastic profile image
hantastic

I've been using the BoostB12 spray from Better You for over a year and it has done what it promised. I wasn't able to absorb B12 through the stomach as effectively. This enters your bloodstream from under your tongue. It has quite a nice apricot flavour too. I also use their vitamin D spray

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to hantastic

hantastic The sublingual lozenges do exactly as the B12 spray, you dissolve them under the tongue to get directly into the bloodstream, it bypasses the stomach. Stomach acid destroys B12 which is why sublingual B12 is always recommended by members.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

I always used Jarrows methylcobalamin B12. I used the 5000mcg ones. They raised my B12 quite quickly. I'm having a little B12 holiday at the moment but my levels will fall and I'll need to start them for a little while.

Whatever you get make sure it says methylcobalamin on the label and not cyanocobalamin.

ali56 profile image
ali56 in reply to Fruitandnutcase

Hi Fruitandnutcase

Do you take a b complex as have been told you should with

B12 supplements. Interested to know why.

Thank you

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply to ali56

I've read that too and don't know why either. Someone will hopefully read this and tell us.

I've been taking a B complex when I'm not taking the B12. The one I've got INNOPURE says it has 100% RDA allowance for B12 so I don't want B12 overload.

When I was first diagnosed with Graves I used to take, vitamin C 1000mcg slow release with zinc - the pharmacist recommended it when I started taking carbimazole, CoQ10 or Ubiquinol whichever was the best deal and vitamin D spray.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to ali56

ali56 When taking B12 we need the B Complex to balance all the B vitamins. B12 and Folate (B9) work together. Some people with low folate just supplement with methylfolate (natural) or folic acid (synthetic) which are B9 to start with and then go onto a B Complex. I took Thorne Basic B which has a good level of methylfolate, some others have a lower level of methylfolate. But all the B vits need to be balanced.

ali56 profile image
ali56 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you seasidesusie it can be so confusing thanks for clarifying

Debsoxford profile image
Debsoxford

As usua all good advice but nobody's mentioned patches? I use a super strength organic with a bio care multi b complex in the morning and its got my levels up really well. I also have a regime of eating liver once every for night now (used to be every week) and pate once a week I also buy a wine tonic with added iron so if I fancy a tipple I drink that. I do steak and kidney the week we don't have liver

Good luck I feel a lot better with my B12 higher

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply to Debsoxford

I used B12 patches for a while at first then I found I preferred the sublingual lozenges. They all work really well though.

ali56 profile image
ali56 in reply to Fruitandnutcase

Thank you for info Fruitandnutcase most helpful am ordering B12 today.

Sybilla14 profile image
Sybilla14

Solgar sublingual methylvobalamin, it comes in 1000 & 5000mcg ( from amazon). I've been taking b12 supplements but when I started the 1000 every day the difference was remarkable within a few days. I'm addicted to them now🙂 And they taste nice too.

Daisy77 profile image
Daisy77

I have been taking Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B complex. It is a high potency B complex formula and contains no binders or fillers. All the B vitamins need to be balanced. I buy mine from Amazon. Highly recommended.

ScoobyDoo63 profile image
ScoobyDoo63

You should not take a B12 supplement or any multi-B vitamin supplements until you have had a blood test for B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia and a full blood count at your GP surgery. The GP can advise on whether you need B12 by injection and exactly what your levels are. Bear in mind that if it is at the low end of the normal range you may still benefit from oral or sublingual B12 supplements. If you are Vegan you should take supplementation daily. If you are not vegan and you suffer low B12 levels malabsorbtion may be the issue. The reason not to take supplementation before your blood test is because it will very quickly affect the results. if you do need to take supplementation and are not having b12 by injection I recommend the Solgar range of vitamins.

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