Igennus Super B complex or a multivitamin when only needing modest B12 supplementation to achieve a good level of B12

[Caroline888]

Hi everyone,

The whole B12 issue has raised its head again with me and I'm hoping for some advice.

Three months ago I stopped taking my Holland and Barrett multivitamin in an attempt to see if I actually did need to supplement B12 and folate. At that time my B12 and folate levels were both a little over range. The vitamin B12 in the multi was 25 ug or 1000% of the recommended daily allowance and the folic acid contained in the multi was 200 ug or 100% RDA. I was not taking any B vitamins other than those in the multi. I know too that multivitamins are not recommended here; the one I was taking does not contain iron.

I was recently asked by my surgery to do an NHS bloodtest in respect of B12, folate and CBC. I have just received the results. In three months my serum vitamin B12 has dropped from 856 ng/L [190 - 800] to 417 ng/L and my serum folate level from above range at 22.4 ug/L [3.0 - 17.0] to 9.5 ug/L.

I know from this site that Igennus Super B complex is very well thought of and I have actually already bought some. However, the fact that each pill contains 450 ug of vitamin B12 (18000% RDA) has left me undecided as to the best way to go. It seems obvious that I need to take a B12 supplement (I have been a vegetarian for nearly 50 years) but am I actually best to resume taking the Holland and Barrett multi which I took for several years and which took me slightly over range? My concern is that the B12 in the Igennus Super B complex is 18 times greater than the B12 in the multi and is still 9 times greater if I take only half of a pill.

What do I do? Any advice would be appreciated.

Best wishes

Caroline

[helvella Administrator]

How much vitamin B12 can you absorb from a tablet?

Imagine a tablet which contained a truly vast amount of B12. You would still only expect to absorb a tiny amount - maybe 10 micrograms. In healthy people on diets which contain plenty of B12, but not vast amounts, absorption is largely limited by Intrinsic Factor production. It is suggested that high doses, like 1000 or more, might allow some diffusion through the gut wall. But still only a fraction of what is present.

I suggest you pop in on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[Caroline888 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Helvella, I'll do that.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Best wishes

Caroline

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Igennus full dose is two pills per day

Initially I took just one pill for first year.

Since starting on T3 my gut is working better. ....I cut Igennus down to half a tablet per day .......found after 2-3 months that not quite enough (I get dizzy when turn my head, if B vitamins are off balance )

So I have settled on one full tablet one day, half a tablet the next day .....

The ingredients in Igennus are excellent and easy to swallow

[Caroline888 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much, Slowdragon, for taking the time to reply.

I like the fact that you have adjusted the dose specifically to your needs. I will do something similar I think, perhaps take half a tablet of Igennus twice a week and my multi on the other days, then do another blood test in a couple of months' time. I'm still researching the b vitamins generally. I am always concerned not to overdose on anything as I seem to respond very quickly to small doses of supplements/medications.

Thank you for your help. As always it is much appreciated.

Best wishes

Caroline

[silverfox7]

Usually when we need to supplement it's often for life and as you have experienced when you stop the levels can fall quickly. Ideally you need to get back to being optimal then addressing one thing at a time so as not to cloud the issue try to find a maintenance dose that keeps you there. I've managed to cut my folate dose down from every day to every other day but it's usually best to get optimal then adjust very slowly to find the maintenance dose that works for you.

[Caroline888 in reply to silverfox7]

Thanks silverfox. When I stopped the multi I did start taking zinc and vitamin c. I was already taking iron, magnesium, vitamins d3 and k2 as a result of blood tests showing that these would be beneficial..

I stopped taking the multi following advice on the forum. The idea was to determine a baseline in respect of vitamin b12 in particular. I was surprised that my level fell so quickly as the amount of b12 in the multi was relatively very small.

The fact that you have tailored your dose of folate to your particular requirements encourages me to try different doses of the b vitamins on different days. I will, as you suggest, proceed very slowly.

Thanks again for your help, I’m grateful.

Best wishes

Caroline