Need to supplement B12...

[Sarahlouise1980]

I need to supplement B12, my level on testing was 119 (below the bottom of the range). The only symptom I have is hairloss. What kind of daily dose of B12 would I need to raise my levels and how long would it take? I’ve also been given folate supplements as that was also below the bottom of the range. I did pop into Holland and Barrett and they suggested the daily spray which I think was 1200mcg a day x

[greygoose]

If your B12 is below range, you should be tested for Pernicious Anaemia, which will qualify you for B12 injections, should you have it. Don't take anything - not even folate, until you've been tested for PA.

[Sarahlouise1980 in reply to greygoose]

I should have the results for the blood test for pernicious anaemia at the end of the week. I just wanted to know which strength b12 to take if I don’t have the injections x

[greygoose in reply to Sarahlouise1980]

Oh, good, glad you're having the test! But, I would be very surprised if you didn't get the injections, because I'm not sure that oral B12 would help with a B12 that low. You must stick out for them.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I absolutely agree with greygoose. This is not a DIY fix, you need to see your GP and get tested for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia. And definitely don't take any folate/folic acid/B Complex supplements until you've started B12 injections/supplements after further investigation.

[Sarahlouise1980 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I should have the results of the blood test for pernicious anaemia at the end of the week. I just wanted to know which strength b12 to take if I don’t have the injections x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sarahlouise1980]

If you do have P.A. you will get an injection every 2 to 3 months. We always got 3 monthlyones but research has shown that some need injection every two month.s

If it is not PA, but a deficiency in B12 maybe due to diet (i.e. you don't have enough meat etc that contains B12.

There can be serious consequences for us if we don't make sure our B12 is at an optimum level and sublingual B12 is preferable to tablets as it is then absorbed into our body more quickly. It has a very important function in our bodies.

[Esselstyn]

B12 is made by bacteria and as we are so clean these days we don’t get enough, you can not rely on eating animals and hope that they collected enough B12 while strolling around a field, most farmed animals are kept in sheds, fed on concentrates and antibiotics. They might get a B12 injection, farmers inject the animals that they farm, they might not. We are all living in a sterile world and almost all of us have had antibiotics, clean with bleach and eat food dosed with glyphosate or roundup, which kills bacteria. As such B12 is a serious problem for all people, and not a problem for vegans in particular.

B12 comes in a few forms, don’t buy the one with cyanocobalamin, its not found in nature and the cyano part of its name stands for cyanide. Its the cheap version that is easy to make and finds its self in all fortified foods. Buy methylcobalamin, or any other sort, just not the cyanocobalamin. The fortified foods are OK as its in very small amounts in them.

B12 is very poorly absorbed, so although taking 1000 mg seems a lot, only 10% will be absorbed, if you have PA you will have to have the injections. This is where I get weird, I inject my self, my brother has some sort of PA and did not like waiting for the NHS injections, so we buy our own, needles and B12.

[thyroidmom84]

I had a similarly low level and my endocrinologist did not start with the PA test, which I wanted. But I started taking 1000 mcg and in less than 6 months I am back to a normal level.

[Sarahlouise1980 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Thank you for replying, did you have any side effects from taking the tablets?

[Hottotrot]

If you don't get injections, then I can recommend the spray (BetterYou ) from H&B, or cheaper online. I used 3 sprays (900mcg ) daily, and it raised my levels from 400 to 700 in a few months.

[robert1957]

Methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are two natural formes of B12

[kildareD]

hi Sarah..when u do get sorted i get supplements ftom a co in us that are rigid in testing for purity.. they are expensive but have helped me. as ive all sorts of immunity issues.

[Foxtrot89]

Yeah that should be ok. The good thing about the BetterYou spray is that it’s 4 sprays for 1200mcg so you can take less if you need, or more.

I prefer to take a sublingual tablet (dissolves under your tongue). I have Swanson advanced B-12 Complex which from memory I think is 50% adenosylcobalamin and 50% hydroxocobalamin. I just feel like those are a bit gentler for me.

It’s 2000mcg and I only want 1000mcg so I take half every day.