Folate and B12

[Puddleperson]

Both my Folate and Active B12 are only just over 40% through range. Can anyone recommend good, and hopefully not too expensive, supplements please.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

I would think Igennus Super B Complex would be the most cost effective as you can take one rather than two

[Puddleperson in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks, that's the one I'm already taking, maybe I should take two not one per day!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Puddleperson]

That would make sense 😉

[Musicfrequency]

I also take the Igennus B complex one. I showed it to the Pharmacist because I wanted to know the best way to take it and he suggested it with food so I take it with my breakfast along with my Vitamin D iu4000.

The B complex is 180 tablets and two recommended per day but he said to try one to start and see how I feel. So far I am still taking one in the morning. Best wishes😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement as well as a separate vitamin B Complex 

Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

Highly effective B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you take a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

[Puddleperson in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you that explains a lot. Presumably, as my Active B12 was 85 last time I don't need to do anything more than stick with my current one daily Igennus super b complex even though this and serum folate (which was 31.30) are only 42% through range? 🙂

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Puddleperson]

Did you stop vitamin B complex 5-7 days before test

Folate levels drop rapidly

Ideally take a separate methyl folate in those days before test

[Puddleperson in reply to SlowDragon]

I always stop a week before but I didn’t know that about folate. I’ll see about getting some. Many thanks again.