B-12 labs

For the first time ever, my B12 levels are out of range...they came back 1050 pg/mL (ref 189-883). They were lowish six months ago (372, same ref ranges) so I added sublingual B12 from EXVital VitaHealth. I've been taking the recommended 12 drops a day since.

I was not even aware water soluble vitamins could build up like that...should I go off B12 supplements altogether?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

thecat68

According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Are you also taking a good B Complex to balance all the B vitamins as always advised here? If so then there should be enough B12 in the B Complex to maintain a good level now, so you could drop the separate B12 supplement.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your input, that's very reassuring!

No, not at the moment, but I have ordered a vit B complex containing all vits B and will start with them as of tomorrow. I realised after a while on vit B12 only that I need to balance it with the other vits B as well.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Does your B Complex contain methyfolate (not folic acid) and methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin) and is a good balance, not B100, B50, etc? Often recommende here are Thorne Basic B or Igennus Super B.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

It's this one...I hope I did not do anything stupid now?!?

nutravita.co.uk/products/vi...

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

It's not one I would use.

It says they're bioavailable forms of B vitamins but folic acid isn't the bioavailable form, our bodies have to convert folic acid into folate.

The amount of B12 is negligible at 2.5mcg. Thorne contains 400mcg at the suggested dose of 1 capsule, and Igennus contains 900mcg at the suggested dose of 2 tablet but many people take only 1 tablet.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

OK, thanks, I'll send it back then. I've ordered Thorne Basic B as that's one of my favourite brands and I find all their products I've tried so far to be of the highest quality and consistency. There are so many products out there so Thank God for forums such as these where you can learn from other people's experiences...good or bad!