I am considering taking a higher dose of B12 (I currently take 1microgram per day in my ordinary multivitamins) but am concerned about combining it with Levothyroxine. I was prompted by this Times article by Dr Mark Porter to consider it.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is underdiagnosed — here’s what to look for.
I suspect my tiredness and other symptoms may be partially caused by a B12 deficiency. I have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday week to discuss how it could be beneficial.
Does anyone have any advice on dangers/benefits of combining it with Levothyroxine please? Thanks.
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TasJSA
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Most contain iodine not recommended on levothyroxine, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease
And most contain iron, which you may not need
Stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before any blood test
Suggest you get vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels tested…..via GP or privately
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking
What were most recent thyroid results
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
First suggestion would be to ditch the multi vits and get a decent B complex and possibly a separate B12 sublingual are good as they avoid the stomach.
Multi vits often don't have the best form or ratio of things and combine ones that would rather not be in your stomach at the same time as they block each others absorption
I think most of us on here take B12 and aim for 500-800ng/L
'B12 sublingual are good as they avoid the stomach.'
I've always been a tad sceptical of this claim. How much of it actually goes down your throat in your saliva I wonder. If I truly wanted to avoid the stomach, I'd try dermal absorption patches.
sublingual 8000 NRV complex result 852ng/L (cyanocobalamin) against
Thorne Basic B 16.667% DV result 539ng/L (methylcobalamin)
so it could actually be the different 'sort' of B12 😵
Next results will be on a mixture of methyl and adenosylcobalamin at 200,000NRV! Probably should have looked at that label sooner I only halved the dose! 😄
Results due tomorrow hopefully... so I'll be all and none the wiser!
Nature Provides is the brand of B12 3000mcg the first one that shot my levels from 310 to 852 in 8 weeks was Solgar Liquid B12 2000 mg with B-Complex (sickly sweet I think berry flavour)
To be honest when I found this forum and all the great advice I completely ignored the instruction to add one supplement at a time as I was so depleted in everything... thankfully no big reactions or disasters to date! I also added in T3 so all in all I can't pinpoint individuals from these early days but within weeks I was feeling better than I had for years!
I shall report back further findings when results land 🤗
I don't have PA nor B12 absorption issues so just take hydroxycobalamin 1000mcg approximately once a week. When I originally tried methylcobalamin, it seemed to add to histamine intolerance issues.
Ah, interesting perhaps I need to revert to cyanocobalamin or give that one a try... lets see what the results show.... I see Metabolics and Epigenetics offer these as liquids to add to drinks.... my histamine issues are kept at bay by avoidance as I just can't be bothered to risk feeling poisoned
Swanson Vitamin B12 Hydroxycobalamin features cutting edge hydroxycobalamin, a form of the vitamin B12 with excellent bioavailability. Sweetened with dental friendly stevia and xylitol and featuring delicious natural berry flavoring, our sugar free tablets utilize Supplemelts technology to ensure fast, efficient absorption. Best known as an energy booster, vitamin B12 also supports cardiovascular health.
Oooh that's a gratifying Active B12 (pulls sad face yours is better than mine😁) well done! You're not on injections is that right? Do you notice any obvious symptom reduction? Energy?
The B12 is the one in the picture? I think SlowDragon on TUK forum recommends it. I'm intrigued to try, since I came across the idea of adenosylcobalamin working more on the Krebs cycle and helping out the poor mitochondria. Or something. I think.🤔
And I have a CFS label (not going to call it a diagnosis any more).
Yes that's the one...strong stuff!! No never had injections... Came with a £5 off gift voucher if you've not used them before FZBX5, just started my other half on it as his levels are tragic and he's a red meat eater
They don't tell you how much OTT which is annoying so I'll just alternate days
My CF is (dare I say it) improving now I have my iron, B12, Vit D, folate and a decent dose of T3 sorted.... gradually crawling back to life and having less crashes 💃
I did have to revisit the different types and I think you are right about the adeno being the best for mitochondria, with methyl and hydro being natural and cyan being from the lab!
I found this site a year ago, I've been following the guidance, testing, trialling, tweaking, re-testing... you know the drill... reading enough for a degree... learning new things most days here!
Sorting out the right level of HRT also played a part as low Oestrogen adds to the madness, do you take magnesium to help you relax? The other top tip is to take B vits in the morning in case they stimulate you... though you can use that if desired!😁
All was great to start with as I was in charge but then had to jump through some hoops with an NHS Endo to get Lio prescribed which knocked me back for a few months earlier this year... I've got that sorted now and things have settled into an upward trajectory for the last 3 months 🎉
Well now I know my brain has a problem...sat there staring at the letters, going OTT, OTT, what could that stand for😂😂
It seems like you've made great strides in your year of crash-course immersion in nutrition and the rest. That gives me hope!
I've had the coil and HRT patches for two years now, that certainly saved my husband. I've also just been told (nutritionist not GP) to add in some nat progesterone cream from Wellspring to top up. Yes the menopause...utter madness.
I have been taking magnesium in the evening but haven't noticed any relaxation, by god that would be good. Long-standing mental health issues have added a great big spanner to the works so therapy is one of my hoops to crawl though😁.
But I'm definitely ordering that double B12 potion, got to be tried.
I used to be on patches but when I got to sticking 3 on I realised the issue and swapped to the Lenzetto spray oestrogen and Utrogestan and now I can get the dose that works!... I know if I've missed a dose as the gaslighting or weird dreams start up.
Which form of magnesium do you use... as with all these bloomin things there are many different forms 🙃
edit... thinking back utrogestan is THE most relaxing thing for the first 3 weeks if I got up for a pee I was completely punch drunk 😵💫rather nice.. doesn't last
know if I've missed a dose as the gaslighting or weird dreams start up.
😆
And I thought I was bad (well I was)...still laughing...
Three patches oh yes...oh no...😬. I'm on two of 100 each, does work well as long as the skin doesn't rebel. Do you notice the Utrogestan makes you sleepy? My daughter's just been prescribed some for bad PMS/pain, and struggles with sleep. Hoping...
I had the same when someone wrote OP... ??? I got stuck on Old Person... thought that's a bit rude... turns out it's Original Poster used when we go off track, as we so often do 😆
I would say 1/4 pipette (they say 1 dose is half a pipette) every other day as I'm taking a liposomal B complex which ought to be more than enough at 20,833% DV and I was at mid range to start with, so I'll drop back to twice a week.... it's a shame the testing doesn't tell you how much OTT you are 🙃
You will see many, many members on here take daily Vitamin B complex…..some also take daily B12 or have B12 injections
But it’s ALWAYS recommended…..test FIRST
If your B12 is very low/deficient you would need testing for Pernicious Anaemia and need B12 injections
We should test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin annually when on levothyroxine as it’s extremely important to maintain OPTIMAL Vitamin levels so that levothyroxine works well
Drop it in and leave for 10 - 30 seconds, the straight B12 doesn't really taste of anything, the complex's they often make a bit sickly sweet mixed berry or orange flavour which I find less yucky
And the idea being you hold it there so it's absorbed through the mouth tissues, goes into the blood stream without going via the stomach.This can be done with liquid or a sub lingual tablet which dissolves.
You cannot overdose on B12. It is a water based vitamin so you will excrete out what you don't need.It's important to get checked for PA before starting supplements or injections. Your GP can check this by blood tests :B12, Intrinsic factor, red blood tests, iron.
B12d. org has a symptom checker plus advice. Useful to do as you may have symptoms that are related to b12 deficiency that you are not aware of. Can print out to show GP.
Lastly if you do take a b12 supplement you need to buy either Meythlycolabamin or Hydroxacolabamin. Some people need b12 injections, especially if PA, but also if you don't respond to supplements or are very low in b12.
Best to post results up on here for advice before starting any treatment.
'You cannot overdose on B12. It is a water based vitamin so you will excrete out what you don't need.'
Whilst this may be true, it does not guarantee that it won't cause any unwanted effects as it sloshes around traveling through the system. I seem to recall that some people get acne like issues with high dose B12 for example. But of course, we're all different and too much for one may not be excess for another
Not heard of those side effects Red Apple but we are all different. I was considering it more from a medically toxic effect and the potential to kill. I do agree that it's about balance. Vitamin D we can't excrete and it can kill if taken in too large a dose or too much daily as one GP found out and as they discovered back in the 30's when they decided to give patients 300,000 iu daily! 😳
Thank you. I plan to print all your comments out before seeing my GP and make a proper list of possible tests needed and solutions. And yes, I’ll post my results here before adopting any treatments. Thanks so much.
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