Stress B v B Complex: I should get myself to... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,244 members166,489 posts

Stress B v B Complex

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador
42 Replies

I should get myself to specsavers.

I have mis ordered from iHerb, I’ve got Thorne stress B when I wanted B Complex

I see the quantities are slightly different, does that matter? It’s higher in B6 and lower in B12 folate and biotin.

Unfortunately I had already opened them when I noticed. Just wondering if I should bin them or carry on and take them 🤷🏽‍♀️

🌱

Written by
Regenallotment profile image
Regenallotment
Ambassador
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
42 Replies
LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga

Hi Regen- I personally would just take it. Or double up if you think strength is not high enough- your body will just pee out what you don't need of B- vits. are you trying to raise B12 and folate or just maintain your current levels?

LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga in reply toLucyYoga

Im currently trying to raise my levels and am taking 2 b complex per day in addition to other separate B's and im doing really well on it

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toLucyYoga

thanks Lucy, levels are really good, so just to maintain. I did the same when mine were low, I think it was SD who suggested Thorne and then separate B12 and Folate. The B Complex has maintained my levels since raising them which is fab. I just keep those two for testing week. Orange pee it is 🤣🌱

LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga in reply toRegenallotment

Yeah.... fluro orange pee! Ive forgotten what normal pee looks like!!

LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga in reply toLucyYoga

Also regen- whilst ive got you I wanted to ask you a question... im currently on NDT and T3 but im actually thinking of switching over to levo and T3 combo. I have issues with mannitol and lactose and I believe the only brand free of these 2 excipients is Aristo. And you are on Aristo right? How are you finding it?

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toLucyYoga

I’m on Aristo yes, not a great case study, I feel amazing, brilliant but new bloods back today suggest I am even more over range than 3 months ago despite a T4 reduction. Got an appointment with Roseway and the GP to discuss. Could be a Hashi flare, HR has been up for a few weeks. Otherwise no symptoms. Aristo definitely feels nicer than Teva, I have zero tummy gurgles on it 🌱

LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga in reply toRegenallotment

I’m so happy you feel brilliant - well done 😘. Hopefully the levels get sorted. As you know I desperately wanted to get well on NDT but there is something about it that isn’t working for me and still not well. I’m working with a Kinesiologist now and seeing her every 2 weeks to try to start getting things under control - I took loads of different meds with me- types of NDT, diffferent brands of T3 and T4 that I’ve been able to get my mitts on! It turns out my body wants aristo and Thybon Henning T3. I already get the Thybon prescribed by private dr so am waiting for app with GP to get him to precribe me with aristo. It will be nice to finally get something for free!!! I’ve already got my reasoning in place to tell him why it has to be aristo - namely lactose and mannitol free. So fingers crossed for app on Monday. Up until now I have not even involved my GP in any of this so my concern is that I’m going to have to deal with the stupidity of him freaking out about my supressed TSH- but I’m have all my rebuttals and research papers showing why it’s not an issue at the ready. Hopefully this will be thr winnnng combo.

But so pleased you are feeling brilliant. I can’t wait to be will enough to get back on my mat again - it’s going to take a long while to get back to my old level of ability but all part of the journey right!!!! Take care xx

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toLucyYoga

Get them to specify Vencamil on the script as this is the named Aristo so you shouldn't get fobbed off with Teva at the pharmacy 😉

Aristo/ Vencamil has been great for me 🤗

LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga in reply toTiggerMe

Thankyou Eeyore- I will do that. Fingers crossed this will be right combo. Appreciate that xx

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toLucyYoga

Wow, how interesting that kinesiology helped select an alternative treatment option. I’m thrilled for you. I look forward to updates from your trial. I am sorry to hear NDT isn’t working out. So frustrating. I remember how keen you were to find a natural solution, I’m a knit your own yoghurt type and have had to make a whole lot of compromises, I was appalled that my homegrown diet packed full of freshly harvested goodness needed to be supplemented by a drawer full of plastic bottled s…. stuff 😐

Yes, there is hope, I am back doing headstands and working on arm balances, as the pains have receded my muscles and joints are finding space and improving. Are you managing restorative yoga asanas and pranayama, I found these helped no end.

If you are able to get an NHS prescription for T4 I would make friends with your local independent pharmacists, they can unbelievably helpful and are usually the ones that decide which brand you get. The GP can specify, but the pharmacists also have their own systems. My GP doesn’t have a clue which one I’m on.

Yes presenting your current situation will be hard work in the GP appointment. I wish you well, you sound well prepared, try and have a single clear goal E.g. I want a prescription for T4. That way you can stay completely focused. I’ll have everything crossed for you 🤞🤞🤞

LucyYoga profile image
LucyYoga in reply toRegenallotment

Aww bless you regen…. Thankyou 🥰

So glad you are rebuilding strength and back to headstands and inversions. I miss it so much. I’ve been so weak and sufferers so much pain it’s literally just been savasana and pranayama since last November. Got some issues with hips very locked and tightened now from months in bed but working with an osteopath to help. But to be honest until I get the thyroid hormone levels sorted I seem to be going round in circles with the osteopath. Gives me real encouragement that you’ve done so well and inspires me.

Yes at this point I’m not even going to tell the GP tha I have a private dr who prescribes T3. Im just going to tell him I want to do straight switch from 2 grains of NDT to 100mcg levo. I’ve I’ve got that rolling in I can tell him about T3 later when he freaks about my low TSH. But one step at a time. Yeah the Kinesiology has been mind blowing.. my iron was really low and I was taking a he max dose of 3 arrows to get it raised. Thought it was working but when I did iron panel- after 4 months on 3 arrows- my iron was less than before I started taking it. I took the 3 arrows to the Kinesiologist not mentioning my experience but wanting to check it. Apparently my body really didn’t want it and wanted just a regular bisglycinate. Been taking that for 2 months and iron levels have masssiveky shot up.. who knew!! Again further confirmation of how different all our bodies and their needs are.

Yes.. really wanted the NDT to work but at this point I just want to be well and to function and if it means synthetic then so be it! As you say you have to make compromises. Xx

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toLucyYoga

wow again, that iron thing is fascinating. Just goes to show we are all wired up differently doesn’t it. Saw a thing in TV that said animal heme iron isn’t good for cardiovascular health, certainly not in the quantities I’ve been taking to raise ferritin, so definitely having second thoughts. Now it’s up I’ve ordered a vegan biglycinate that is apparently no risk to long term cardiovascular health. Will trial and see. 🌱

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

Think it's the high B6 that is the odd one with this as it is 3 x the Basic B... don't they say not to take more than 10mg a day?... can't remember 🤯I shall have a dig around later 🤗

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toTiggerMe

Why didn’t I think of that, it’s different when it’s you and your stuff isn’t it, when it’s someone else I’ve got lots of great ideas 😬

hmm quick google reveals nerve damage can occur over 500mg, prolonged supplementation at high levels for 12 months is risky. stress B bottle says this says 28.4mg so probs ok but I’m tempted to fling the darned things. Expensive pee that will be 🙃

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toRegenallotment

Seems a shame to throw 😕 perhaps just intersperse with others? I do remember comparing them once before but didn't really understand what the higher B6, Riboflavin and lower B12 were all about compared to the Basic B ones?.... they don't make it easy when all their labels look so similar 😎

Supplement buying is a bloomin nightmare with so many things to watch out for 😒

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toTiggerMe

sounds sensible, can barely shut the cutlery drawer where I have my supplements but another bottle for a few months won’t hurt 😬

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toRegenallotment

TiggerMe has a great idea there. You should take occassional supplement holidays anyway to get rid of any excess B6.

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toJaydee1507

didn’t know that, thanks for the tip!

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toRegenallotment

How much vitamin B6 do I need?

Life Stage Recommended Amount

Adults 19–50 years 1.3 mg

Adults 51+ years (men) 1.7 mg

Adults 51+ years (women) 1.5 mg

Pregnant teens and women 1.9 mg

How long does it take for B6 to wear off?

While vitamin B6 is water-soluble, it has a half-life of 25–33 days and accumulates in the body, where it is stored in muscle, plasma, the liver, red blood cells and bound to proteins in tissues.

Wish I hadn't googled it 😳 Jaydee1507

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toTiggerMe

that’ll be a fling it decision made then … thanks for taking the time to help me, much appreciated 🙏

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toRegenallotment

If I stop for any length of time I'm sure I'll slide right to the bottom of the enormous snake 🐍

Makes the 10mg in Basic B seem excessive doesn't it 🤷‍♀️

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toTiggerMe

I have a separate B12 & folate for when I take a break pre blood tests.

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toJaydee1507

I've switched to Pink Tribe Sublingual Complex which has 7.5mg B6 though the softgel has 10mg?? and a separate sublingual B12

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toTiggerMe

They do a sublingual complex? I'll have to take a look. Do you mean the liquid they do?

You can take the separate B12 right up until the day before your blood test/s.

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toJaydee1507

Just dropped down that worm hole...

Softgel version...

Pink Tribe softgel
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toTiggerMe

Looks pretty good. Couldn't find it on Amazon. Where do you buy it from?

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toJaydee1507

Got the singles and doubles but 4 pack out of stock... amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BD56K5H6?...

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toTiggerMe

Yes thats the liquid I was refering to. I thought you meant they had a softgel sublingual. It's late...

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toJaydee1507

Soz, no softgel capsule...can you bite them?? amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BPHG5R6C?...

Time for bed 😉

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toJaydee1507

Sublingual

Pink Tribe sublingual
Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toTiggerMe

hmmm now my levels are up the ladder I may switch to a rotation of B12, Methylfolate and biotin and see how that goes. I’m starting to think the B Complexes are too strong for my needs now. I’ll trial for 3 months and retest. See what happens. 🌱

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toRegenallotment

TBC...

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply toRegenallotment

I’m starting to think the B Complexes are too strong for my needs now. I’ll trial for 3 months and retest.

When I think that I've probably fixed any low levels in my nutrients, I don't want to stop taking them altogether because I don't want to slide down the slippery slope to having low levels again.

There are several ways to deal with this :

1) Buy weaker products.

OR

- my personal preference :

2) Continue to take the supplements I'm happy with but only take them e.g. On a Sunday, OR take them Monday and Thursday, OR take them Monday, Wednesday and Friday, OR Weekend only, or however many days a week I think works for me. This saves money, and means that I don't risk wasting money on something I find I can't tolerate.

I do take supplement holidays quite often - my poor memory for taking them helps with this. :)

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply tohumanbean

very smart idea thanks HB 🌱

asidist profile image
asidist

hello, late reply but wanted to point out that the stress version has majority pyridoxine hcl for b6, which inhibits active b6. Not sure if that’s already been mentioned in the replies.

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply toasidist

thanks for this, what does that mean in layman’s terms? I don’t really understand B6. It was the significant amount of B6 that worried me as googling the side effects of excess sounded awful.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toRegenallotment

Not a complete answer, but a few words which might help are on my blog:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply tohelvella

have I said this already? I love your blog 🍄 🌱

asidist profile image
asidist in reply tohelvella

helvella, I’ve been assuming b6 in the form of food-based pyridoxine (for example in whole-food-based supplements which include b6, assuming the supplements are actually food based as they claim to be), as opposed to synthetic pyridoxine hcl, would not cause this problem, but wondering if you have any thoughts?

An example of such a supplement, if helpful to see: gardenoflife.com/mykind-org...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toasidist

I think many of these companies are over-claiming.

Looks to me as if they are using a brewer's yeast process to make their B6. Whilst this might be somewhat better than total chemical synthesis - especially regarding lower levels of certain impurities - I wouldn't call it food-source even if we accept yeast as a food ingredient. I think of food source as when you juice a carrot and extract the juice including its beta-carotene.

I suspect the final product is close to indistinguishable.

There again, I'm not educated in these things, nor am in any way qualified in vitamins!

Regenallotment profile image
RegenallotmentAmbassador in reply tohelvella

thanks helvella & asidist you prompted me to read more and understand. So I now know what to look for and what to avoid. ⭐️

asidist profile image
asidist in reply tohelvella

Thanks helvella. I just looked it up and found out this particular company was bought out by Nestle, so all bets are definitely off re anything they produce. Too bad though! Was using their Vit C and really liked it, and liked that they produced supplements that had doses that werent super excessive. 😕

Yeah, I've been approaching whole foods supplements with skepticism as well - - no regulations for using that term, and as you suggest, no way to know they aren't just marketing yeast-based as "whole foods based," even when they make a distinction between the two as Garden of Life does (why I was looking at their B complex and some others). I've actually emailed a couple of those manufacturers in the past for more info but it wasn't easy to get answers and answers weren't too helpful.

That said, had been thinking any vits/minerals including B6 that are organically produced (even if some or many of the nutrients are yeast-based) would at least not be in the synthetic form or carry the known and unknown risk that some of those synthetics do - and that there's always the chance that they are actually whole-food based (at least I want there to be!!😅) )?? But eh yeah now knowing GOL is owned by Nestle I don't know of any other manufacturers I feel super keen on trusting more than I would a well-reputed manufacturer that provides more information and transparency for synthetically produced supplements. Back to square one!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Vitamin B complex

Hello. I have difficulty swallowing large tablets and found these small ones in Boots called...
Annib1 profile image

B Complex

Can anyone recommend a good B complex pls? I have the solgar one but they smell and taste...
MissFG profile image

B complex

Can anyone recommend a good b complex? I was looking at cytoplan’s B extra I’m taking zinc and...
haggisplant profile image

Thorne Basic vs Stress B Complex

I was looking online and noticed that there is the normal Thorne B-Complex but also the Thorne...
Andyb1205 profile image

vit B complex

can you please advise me which vit B complex I should take I cant remember the one you say is not...
frian profile image

Moderation team

See all
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.