B12-how much do I take?

[celticlady]

I read that this supplement is important for us hypothyroid people-I ordered some but it's in 250mcg tablets this seems quite high dosage. Anybody take this and if so how much approx?

[RedApple Administrator]

Funnily enough, I've just finished reading an article about B12. The author suggests 1,000mcg Methylcobalamin as a general maintenance dose. (This is not meant to apply to people with diagnosed Perncicious Anaemia).

Here's the article:

chriskresser.com/what-every...

[celticlady in reply to RedApple]

Thanks! My 250mcg barely touches that but I'll start off small as haven't had test for deficiency but will add to my ever-expanding vits supplies!

[nostoneunturned in reply to celticlady]

Hi, I would like to say that B12 is not toxic and any excess not needed by the body is simply excreted via the kidneys, so your dose of 250mcg is really quite a small one. Red Apple's recommendation of 1000mcg methylcobalamin is much better. Make sure you have methylcobalamin, it is the form of B12 most useful to the cells. I hope you do not mind if I say please check what form of B12 is in your tablets, if it is cyanocobalamin this form will do very little for you.

If you want to maximise your B12 intake then do not use a microwave for cooking as it destroys B12. And a lot of valuable enzymes. B12 is never present in plant based food, which is why vegans are at risk of serious B12 deficiency. Prime sources are animal liver, chicken liver, sardines, followed by dairy products.

Amazon sells excellent tablets by Swansons or by Jarrow, of 5000mcg (5mg) per tablet. Using these in accordance with Kevin Byrne's dissertation (Professional version) entitled "The Enterohepatic Circulation of Vitamin B12" I raised my B12 levels from 167 (180-900) to well over 1500, the only side effect being a truly immense health improvement, so don't worry about overdosing!