B12

[asiatic]

A medichecks active B12 test a year ago gave a result of 80pmol/L (25.1 - 165). I have been supplementing with a vit B complex and a recent medichecks test gave active B12 of over 150 pmol/L (37.5 - 188 ). I read on the forum it is best to have B12 greater than 406 pmol/L. Over 150 therefore seems a bit meaningless in trying to work out if I am supplementing enough. I think I probably am so although not too concerned would welcome others thoughts.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

asiatic

I read on the forum it is best to have B12 greater than 406 pmol/L.

Are you referring to my reply this morning to member Stambridge here:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If so then it doesn't apply to you. Don't make the mistake of thinking that what applies to others is the same for you because we are talking about two different things here.

What that reply was referring to was the result for a Total B12 test and you have had the Active B12 test done, they are two different tests measuring different things. The Total B12 test measures the total amount of B12 - that which is bound to proteins and also that which is unbound (free/active) and doesn't differentiate between them. The Active B12 test only measures the free/active B12 and this is said to be the more useful test.

If result says >150 (37.5 - 188) then the machine doesn't measure above 150, you don't know exactly what your level is but it's quite high. Depending on your folate level it might be worth reducing your B Complex and take it on less days per week.

[asiatic in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes it was your reply to Stambridge earlier that got me wondering. Thank you for clarifying for me. My folate had gone up from 3.6 to 17.42 (range over 3.89 ) by taking 1 tablet a day of Igennus super B complex. I will cut back to taking 1 every other day. Thanks again it is so useful to have someone to ask.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to asiatic]

If that was me I'd just cut back by two days a week for now and see how that goes, say drop off Saturday and Sunday. I'd want to maintain my folate level at or close to your current level.

[asiatic in reply to SeasideSusie]

Will do

[QUE6T-33 in reply to asiatic]

Can I ask what the B12 dosage was in that complex & how many you took a day?

[asiatic in reply to QUE6T-33]

From label on my Igennus Super B Complex - Vit. B12 ( as methylcobalamin ) 900 mcg. per serving. Their " serving " is a dose of 2 tablets per day. I found one a day sufficient. On seasidesusie's recommendation I am currently taking one tablet 5 days a week but as yet haven't done bloods to check levels on this dose.

[QUE6T-33 in reply to asiatic]

Yep, that’s a large everyday dose isn’t it. But dosage is so individual.Your active B12 was 400 if I remember right, so I would have thought a dose of say 400 - 500mcg would have been ok

[asiatic in reply to QUE6T-33]

To clarify - my ACTIVE B12 was 80 (25.1 - 165) Supplementing 1 tablet daily raised it to over 150 ( 37.5 - 188). Hopefully the one tablet 5 days a week will prove about the right dose to keep my folate and B12 optimal.