Hi,
I have always used Solgar Methyl cobalamin B12. I thought this was the same as sub-lingual B12, but after re-ordering it appears Solgar B12 sun-lingual & Methyl Cobalamin are different.
And it does seem the Methyl cobalamin is out of stock in many places.
Is it ok to use the Sub-lingual B12?
The Solgar sub lingual seems to be cyanobalmin which is the inactive form and I wouldn;t recommend it.
You could try Cytoplan sublingual with contains 2 active forms of B12 - methylcobalmin & Adenosylcobalmin which work well together.
cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...
Are you also taking a good methyl B complex?
Cross post with your reply Jaydee1507 !
I don't think cyanocobalamin is actually inactive - it's just that it's less efficiently processed and/or tolerated by the body. As I understand it, all B12-containing supplements need to be processed by the body into a bioactive form (with the possible exception of adenosylcobalamin). The ease of removal of the "leaving group" (cyano, hydroxo, or methyl) plays a role, as does the subsequent requirement for processing said removed leaving group (a cyano group is the least biologically "friendly").
Happy to be corrected by a biochemist though - this is based on my analytical chemist experiences 😊
This group recommends the methyl form as being the most widely available and not requiring further conversion by the body for use.
No I am not a biochemist, just a patient with lived experience.
I've just run out of Ctytoplan, but it was 500mg so I wanted to go back 1000mg per dose.
Just using a B-complex gummy, as it was on offer a £2.50! I will go back to a methyl B complex when I run out.
The Cytoplan one is actually 1000mcgs but is 500 of methyl & 500 of Adenosyl.
If you're buying a supplement for £2.50 you do have to check the label and see what it contains. At that price I'm guessing it won;t help you much.
It was on offer. Its a good brand.
Damn, Solgar B12 sublingual is the one I switched to when not taking B complex! It will be interesting to see what my next B12 result is.
Edit: Although the Solgar B Complex I used to use had the same type of B12, and my B12 did in fact improve. Although, I was using Better You spray too. So annoyed at my error.
Its very easy to make errors when buying supplements or anything in fact if your body is a bit particular.
And, it is that at the minute! I really hope my B12 hasn’t dropped as a result as I decided to pause B Complex and oral spray B12 but continue with folate and B12 supplement separately.
Hi joey82 - it's possible that the sub-lingual B12 is methyl cobalamin. You will be fine to take the sub-lingual, it just might not be as effective 😊
The vitamin B12 has the chemical name "cobalamin". The cobalamin species typically has another small "section" joined to it when it is formulated into tablet (or solution/spray) format. This is - broadly speaking - to make it stable and also easily absorbed and processed by the body.
Different "B12" manufacturers use a different small "section" when they make their tablets/spray. Some make cyano cobalamin (cyanocobalamin) - this is the least "good" for the body (but is OK), some make the one you've got, methyl cobalamin - this is a much better version of B12. There are also hydroxo cobalamin (hydroxocobalamin) and adenosyl cobalamin (adenosylcobalamin) - both are better than cyanocobalamin.
The main reason for the differences is cost.. isn't it always!
[Edited to answer the *actual* question in my first paragraph!]
Thanks all, that was a much more complex answer than I was anticipating lol!
I'll stick with the methyl version
NDT and sublingual B12.
Anyone had success raising their B12 level using supplements?
Solgar - general vitamins discussion
Methylation
Sjögren's syndrome: a potential new aetiology of mild cobalamin deficiency 
