Test for allergy to B vitamins?

[Yppah]

Is there a test for allergies to the individual B vitamins? My husband just started taking a B complex (Doctor’s Best) and gets a rash on his forehead, cheeks, neck and wrist (only just realised it’s the capsule). He needs to supplement B12 and folate, at least that’s what he knows of. (Sorry, not necessarily thyroid related but not sure where else to find out.)

[Lalatoot]

It may not be the b vitamin but the fillers in the capsule. Try a different brand.

[Yppah in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you Lalatoot , will try a different one

[Fruitandnutcase]

Wonder if it could be niacin (B3) that is the problem, I know it can give you a ‘niacin flush’. Not sure if there would be enough B3 in a B complex to cause that though. I’m no expert though.

[Yppah in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Interesting Fruitandnutcase - I googled that and he read it and agreed with everything said. Also made me think about 3 days when I had weird rashes that I thought were food related but have since ruled out all ingredients. Hhhmmmm

[helvella Administrator]

For most B12 and folate issues, you will often get a good answer over in the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

I hope he started the B12 before the folate? Unlikely if he is just taking a B complex.

Is this the product:

drbvitamins.com/products/fu...

It has a high B6 content. Have a look at this post I made some time ago:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Also, as it contains biotin, stop taking it for a week before having any blood tests. Some tests (not all) are affected by biotin and could give misleading results.

[Yppah in reply to helvella]

Thank you, helvella , really interesting. Can I ask why to start B12 first? I suggested he tested for PA but he was not interested and so started the B complex alongside B12 spray. He must get a lot of folate as we eat a lot of kale, green beans and broccoli.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Yppah]

Not the best source, but:

Check vitamin B12 levels in all people before starting folic acid — treatment can improve wellbeing, mask underlying B12 deficiency, and allow neurological disease to develop.

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

[Yppah in reply to helvella]

Thank you, helvella

[Hidden]

Niacin can definitely give you a significant rash, for a short time, 30 mins or so. It can feel very red, hot and itchy too. Not at all comfortable. It usually comes on within 15 mins of taking it. Supposedly your body gets used to the dose after a few days.

How long do your husband’s symptoms last?

[Yppah in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Hidden , he says they go within an hour. I actually think I may have had this for a few days also but put it down to food at the time. I am now fine. Thinking will get him a lower dose one, thanks!

[Cooper27]

Look up niacin flush. It's not an allergic reaction, but I get it and know how uncomfortable it can be.

Take ones with lower niacin content, or you get flush-free b vitamins too.

[Yppah in reply to Cooper27]

Thanks Cooper27 - will get a lower dose one - he read the description and it rang true with him!

[Carysta]

It could also be caused by the various fillers that are used with many tablets

[Yppah in reply to Carysta]

Good idea, Carysta , alongside the potential niacin issue will try another!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Try starting on lower dose

Igennus Super B are small tablets. Full dose is two per day. Many people only need one per day

Perhaps start on 1/4 tablet and increase up slowly

[Yppah in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon - will order those ones for him to try - would be convenient if suited me too so will also give a try!

[HappyHealthyGirl]

Like a number of others here, I immediately thought of the Niacin flush - nowadays, most products include Niacinamide, which is the non-flushing form.

However, the flush can be medically useful and many studies on B3 have used the flush form purposefully. So some supplements do contain Niacin rather than Niacinamide.

I actually keep some of the original flushing form (i.e. NON-'Non Flush' Niacin) on hand as I find it relieves headaches by increasing blood flow.

P.S. I personally have found that my body does not get used to it as such, although some days the reaction is greater than others, but realising that the 'glow' is a Niacin flush, and that it will pass, makes it OK. The flush seems to be lessened by taking it with food, but it depends on the directions of the particular product, i.e. with or away from food.

[Yppah in reply to HappyHealthyGirl]

Thanks HappyHealthyGirl - is the usefulness re cholesterol by any chance? I have mentioned above in other responses that I now think I had this too and am now fine!

[csj113]

Hi, I am allergic to Cobalt which means I can't take B12 supplements - it causes contact dermatitis which may be what your husband is suffering. It often goes along with a Nickel allergy. Dermatological patch testing can confirm these - I got testing through the NHS in Scotland.

[Yppah in reply to csj113]

thanks csj113 - so what can you do for B12? When you did testing was it just for this or another fuller test? Thank you, never heard of this!

[csj113 in reply to Yppah]

Hi, I was referred to a NHS Dermatologist for skin patch testing - they test a range of substances on your back and you wait for a couple of days (no showering) then see what has reacted. I was Nickel & Cobalt. It’s tricky if you are B12 deficient - current advice is to take the minimum dose required to avoid clinical deficiency. I am at the lowest end of normal but can’t supplement. I’d also be nervous if I required injections- my allergy causes swollen eyes and lips.

[Yppah in reply to csj113]

Thanks, csj113 , good to know there is an option. Sounds really tricky for you.