Will a lower dose B12 supplement raise my levels..

[Sarahlouise1980]

Hi All,

I have low B12 and folate levels. I’ve tried the Jarrows sublingual 1000mcg and after taking one a day for three weeks I’m covered in a rash and whiteheads. All round my mouth and chin, forehead in my hairline and on my shoulders, chest and back. It’s rough sore and itchy. My question is if I take the vitamin but at a much lower dose, will it still help in raising my levels up a bit? I know I need to take it but my skin is really getting me down. I’ve brought a vitamin b complex from Holland and Barrett that has 25mcg vitamin b12 in it and was thinking of trying that? My thought is taking some has got to be better then taking none and the higher dose has literally destroyed my skin.

[Caroline888]

Hi Sarahlouise1980

I have taken the Holland and Barrett Senior ABC plus multi for years. It contains 25 mcg B12 along with the other B vitamins and other vitamins and minerals. I personally have found it very good and my blood tests showed my B12 and folic acid to be at the top of the range. I’m a vegetarian so don’t get much B12 from my diet so this multi is obviously doing a good job in my case. Certainly I would give your Holland and Barrett tablet a good try.

Hope your skin clears up soon.

Best wishes

Caroline

[Sarahlouise1980 in reply to Caroline888]

Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply Caroline888, thank you so much for your recommendation I will have a look at that one online now xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sarahlouise1980]

The Holland and Barrett Senior ABC plus multi is a typical example of why we shouldn't take a multivitamin supplement.

They generally contain the cheapest and least absorbable of active ingredients, and often contain things we should test for first and only supplement if found to be deficient, eg iron, calcium, iodine, Vit D. And if a multi contains iron then that affects the absorption of the other ingredients as iron should be taken 2 hours away from other supplements.

That particular one contains calcium, iodine and Vit D - all of which need to be tested first. Calcium should only ever be supplemented if we are deficient, as should iodine and if we are deficient in iodine then supplementing should be under the direction of an experienced practioner. Iodine used to be used to treat hypERthyroidism and is generally not a good idea when hypOthyroidism is present.

That supplement contains the cheap and poorly absorbed form of magnesium as oxide, selenium as selenite, zinc as oxide and Vit K as Phytomenadione which is K1 and is the blood clotting form of Vit K. When taking Vit K as a cofactor of Vit D it should be K2 which then directs the extra uptake of calcium (which taking Vit D aids) to bones and teeth and away from arteries and soft tissues.

All in all, another supplement to be avoided - cheap and nasty. Test the core vitamins and supplement what is necessary with a decent quality, bioavailable supplement.