So sorry! Another supplement enquiry. B vitamins, excluding b12?

[sip1]

I received my sublingual b12 vitamins today (1000 mcg Methylcobalamin, taking 2 to begin with as level is 372 ng/L [> 180]) but I wonder whether I should still be supplementing with other b vits as well, including folic acid (my folate is 16 ng/ml [4.6 - 34.8)? I don't want to miss important ones out, particularly if they all work together. Your advice most appreciated!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yes Sip. When taking B12 we need a B Complex to balance all the B vitamins. Folate should be at least half way through range. A B Complex might contain enough methylfolate to raise your folate level to save taking folic acid separately.

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you - you must be getting sick of me! How much folate should I be looking at taking?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sip1]

The good brands tend to contain 200 or 400mcg. Personally I would be looking at 400mcg as you want to increase your level. Minimum half way, higher isn't a problem as long as B12 is good.

[sip1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much. I'm struggling to get my head around these vitamins etc and I'm just concerned I'm either going to take too much, or too little. If I took 400mcg - should I drop that down to 200 in a few weeks?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sip1]

Personally I would see how it goes on 400mcg until you retest. It took me two and a half months to go from very bottom of range to very top with a B Complex that contained 400mcg. I then changed to a different supplement advised by a practioner I consulted and that one contained 200mcg. My folate level reduced quite considerably. I'm now back on a B Complex which contains 400mcg and I take it 5 days a week. We have to experiment and see what works best for us as individuals.

[bluebug in reply to sip1]

B vitamins are water soluble so you will pee any excess out so don't worry about taking a good B complex that is recommended on here.

Generally on the forum posters will warn you about vitamins and minerals where taking a large amount is or can be a problem.