B12 help

[HypoFrog]

Hello

I’m just going back through advice on my posts for details on B12.

I need B12 and the a B complex with folate acid but I’m not sure on what dose I should I be taking of these? And are there any other things I need to take along with these?

My last B12 results was 263 (200-900)

If anyone also has recommendations of product they use and can link to that would be great.

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

HypoFrog

In this previous post you said you had symptoms of B12 deficiency.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Did you get tested for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia? You should have done, doctors are supposed to go by symptoms not numbers where B12 is concerned.

So that is the first thing because you shouldn't take B12 or a B Complex before testing as the Folate in a B Complex will mask signs of B12 deficiency and you don't want a B12 supplement to falsely elevate your B12 level.

SlowDragon gave suggestions for supplements for when you need them in that post.

[HypoFrog in reply to SeasideSusie]

Can’t get further tests because they’ve said I’m in range. Even though my private test said insufficient. The NHS one was in range.

Can’t really afford a private test at the mo after spending loads on vitamin d, K2, magnesium and need to get the B’s too.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to HypoFrog]

HypoFrog

As I said, GP should be considering symptoms so list all your symptoms, politely point out the following from the NHS website and ask for testing:

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

Different types of blood tests can be carried out to help identify people with a possible vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.

These tests check:

whether you have a lower level of haemoglobin (a substance that transports oxygen) than normal

whether your red blood cells are larger than normal

the level of vitamin B12 in your blood

the level of folate in your blood

But some people can have problems with their normal levels of these vitamins, or may have low levels despite having no symptoms.

This is why it's important for your symptoms to be taken into account when a diagnosis is made.

A particular drawback of testing vitamin B12 levels is that the current widely used blood test only measures the total amount of vitamin B12 in your blood.

This means it measures forms of vitamin B12 that are "active" and can be used by your body, as well as the "inactive" forms, which cannot.

If a significant amount of the vitamin B12 in your blood is inactive, a blood test may show that you have normal B12 levels, even though your body cannot use much of it.

There are some types of blood test that may help determine if the vitamin B12 in your blood can be used by your body, but these are not yet widely available.

You could post on the PA forum and they may be able to offer more help regarding how to get tested.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[HypoFrog in reply to SeasideSusie]

They’re testing chronic fatigue from my symptoms. Really weren’t interested in the low B12 result at all. So frustrating.

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to HypoFrog]

How are they testing for chronic fatigue? I don't believe there is a test.

[HypoFrog in reply to SeasideSusie]

Not sure... Endo was writing to GP to investigate chronic fatigue because he could do nothing as my thyroid and vitamin results were in range.

[shaws Administrator in reply to HypoFrog]

My mother died due to pernicious anaemia and even though she'd had injections for years the doctor told her that she needed no more injections as her 'blood' was fine.

Both my sister and I through that was good and we didn't have a computer then to check but also thought that doctors knew best. My mother died due to the doctor's withdrawal of B12.

[HypoFrog in reply to shaws]

That’s just awful. You do put your trust in them but the treatment is just not right. ☹️

[cgauthie in reply to HypoFrog]

If you live in North America ranges are very low compared to Europe or Asia. They start treating at 500. Look for methacobalamin b12 drops on Amazon . It’s the most absorbable form of b12.

[HypoFrog in reply to cgauthie]

Thank you 😊

[shaws Administrator]

Ask your GP to check your B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. All are important and we don't want any at the bottom of the ranges.

B12 in particular, if low you should be tested to ensure you do not have Pernicious Anaemia, Don't supplement before doctor double checks for P.A.

Pernicious Anaemia people have to have regular B12 injections otherwise they may become very ill.

Pernicious anemia is more common in people of Northern European and African descent than in other ethnic groups.

Older people also are at higher risk for the condition. This is mainly due to a lack of stomach acid and intrinsic factor, which prevents the small intestine from absorbing vitamin B12. As people grow older, they tend to make less stomach acid.

Pernicious anemia also can occur in younger people and other populations. You may be at higher risk for pernicious anemia if your B12 is low. Excerpt from following link at bottom of excerpt:-

Have a family history of the condition.

Have had part or all of your stomach surgically removed. The stomach makes intrinsic factor. This protein helps your body absorb vitamin B12.

Have an autoimmune disorder that involves the endocrine glands, such as Addison's disease, type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease, or vitiligo. Research suggests a link may exist between these autoimmune disorders and pernicious anemia that's caused by an autoimmune response.

Have had part or all of your small intestine surgically removed. The small intestine is where vitamin B12 is absorbed.

Have certain intestinal diseases or other disorders that may prevent your body from properly absorbing vitamin B12. Examples include Crohn's disease, intestinal infections, and HIV.

Take medicines that prevent your body from properly absorbing vitamin B12.

Examples of such medicines include antibiotics and certain seizure medicines.

Are a strict vegetarian who doesn't eat any animal or dairy products and doesn't take a vitamin B12 supplement, or if you eat poorly overall.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

[HypoFrog in reply to shaws]

Thanks. I’m getting nowhere with further testing due to result being in range but will try again.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Politely insist that GP does full testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting any B vitamins

[HypoFrog in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok, I’ll try. But they just keep saying it’s in range so it’s normal. ☹️

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HypoFrog]

Suggest you ask on PAS health unlocked

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

But if GP still refuses....then start good quality vitamin B complex and separate B12

[HypoFrog in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry, ask what on PAS? About specific doses? Or asking GP for tests?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to HypoFrog]

They are experts on pernicious anaemia

Might have some guidelines they can recommend to give to GP

[HypoFrog in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Just posted on there. 🤞

[Shellydazzle]

Good morning . B12 results under 500 are classed as normal in the uk but no where else in Europe ! B12 injections are a quick and produce good results within 4 weeks . I’m sure there is a b12 spray for your mouth 2 ! X

[HypoFrog in reply to Shellydazzle]

Thank you 😊

[Alex_p]

This was recommended on this forum when I asked about vitamin B12: amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01787.... I’m taking 1/day.

[HypoFrog in reply to Alex_p]

Thank you 😊

[Veggiequeen]

I use Together Health food state vitamins. They are absorbed by the body as food and are not synthetic. I don't remember how low mine was as it was a long time ago. The Doctor advised me to take B12 as I had been veggie and it was low. After the second blood test she rang me to see what I had been taking as it had gone up so fast. I use their vitaminD,C, B Complex and multi as well as my husband has cancer.

[HypoFrog in reply to Veggiequeen]

Thank you 😊

[Thyb]

HypoFrog The product in picture raised my B12 from 366 to 781 in 6 weeks. Please see my very recent posts of both front and back of this product 😊

[Thyb]

This is the back of the box just not as clear as in my posts about 15 mins ago x 😊 HypoFrog

NATURE PROVIDES SUBLINGUAL RED DROPS B12

[HypoFrog in reply to Thyb]

Thank you, not sure if my phone is playing up but I can’t see the pictures. ☹️

[BLipe]

The way we process B12 is a bit of a problem.

Typical B12 doses are 1000% or more of RDA and we can only process a little of it at a time and in a day. From what I've read it is best to have lesser doses twice a day with intrinsic factor in the tablet. Intrinsic factor helps the cobalamin survive the stomach acid. I take methylcobalamin since it is the closest to body ready. I had been taking cyanocobalamin for decades but had B12 deficiency symptoms. Did not get better until I took the B12 with intrinsic factor.

[HypoFrog in reply to BLipe]

Thank you.