Cyanocobalamin for possible b12 deficiency.

[sobs1962]

Hi there all, I had a conversation with doctor at my GP practice on Monday to say I thought I may have a b12 deficiency. He agreed to give me a prescription for oral tablets. Finally got prescription on Friday and have taken 2 tablets on both Friday and Saturday but am now concerned that these could actually do me harm but on a 50mcg dosage. Actually looked at ingredients and concerned that these actually contain cyanide obviously a miniscule amount. Any advice from anyone on here would be greatly appreciated.

[greygoose]

Doctors prescribe cyanocobalamin because it's the cheapest form. And, the amount they prescribe is not enough to help anyone!

If you took cyanocobalamin long-term, the cyanide could be a problem because it accumulates in the body. Methylcobalamin is better absorbed, anyway. But, it's more expensive. Depending on the result of your blood test result, you could need from 1000 to 5000 mcg - and it's better sublingual so as to avoid stomach acid. So, all in all, I would prefer to buy my own, rather than take the measly doctor's prescription. Plus, if you're taking B12, you also need to take a daily B complex, to keep the Bs balanced.

But, what was your blood test result? If it was too low, your doctor should be testing for Pernicious Anemia BEFORE giving you a B12 prescription.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you still taking PPI?

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

What were your latest results and ranges for B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D?

Has GP tested for and ruled out Pernicious Anaemia?

Jarrow B12 lozenges are sublingual and good quality

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex as well, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet (or even half a tablet) per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[sobs1962 in reply to SlowDragon]

Have requested b12 results by email and awaiting that,might ring and ask tomorrow. Stopped taking Omeprazole 4 weeks ago so hopefully my stomach acid levels have started to rise and may be helping with absorption but as I've been on Omeprazole for over 15 years may never get my "normal " levels. Was taking vitamin b compound up until last year when last practice took me off them as no longer drinking heavily as this was reason I was put on them and was also taken off vitamin d as well after I swapped practices, but no blood tests have been done and not likely to be for at least 3 months. I must admit I was surprised the doctor agreed to give me a prescription but I doubt at 50 mcg it will have any effect apart from potentially giving me cyanide poisoning. The doctor said last B12 blood test done last year was "fine" whatever that means.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sobs1962]

Both B12 and vitamin B complex are water soluble so taking too much isn’t a problem

Many people find it beneficial to take daily good quality vitamin B complex

If you have low B12 symptoms you may need sublingual B12 lozenges for a few weeks or months

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

Obviously would need to supplement B12 continuously if you are

What was your most recent vitamin D result?

Low vitamin D and low B vitamins may be linked as explained here

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

In YouTube video when Dr Gominak talks about vitamin D levels ...vitamin D at 40ng/ml (USA units) is equal to 100nmol (UK units)

youtu.be/74F22bjBmqE(Not working as expected?)

[sobs1962 in reply to SlowDragon]

At the moment the only reason I'm getting any sleep at all is because I'm taking 15 mg Mirtazapine, 2x2mg melatonin tablets and 25 mg of Promazine. Some nights even with this combination, I'm not feeling tired till after 4am and even then it takes quite a while to get to sleep but consequently I'm not getting up till after 2pm and I feel shattered and ache all over when I wake up ,so no surprise to find out that vitamin deficiencies lead to poor sleep and the complications that go with it. I feel like I'm going to have to be an absolute pain every time I visit to the doctor in order to get what I NEED not what they think I want.

[sobs1962]

To be honest no, I just said I was worried about b12 deficiency as have classic symptoms i.e. dementia like symptoms,poor coordination but said my b12 levels were ok when done last year but I have no idea what levels are just that they're ok whatever that means. Doctor said may have "hidden deficiency" but I know that the dosage he has prescribed is so low it's unlikely to do anything except giving me cyanide poisoning.