Moxie Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Which one do you take? Do you notice an increase in energy? How long did you take it before you noticed any benefits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Mine tested low, but I wasn't low on energy. I took Nature Made brand tablets for about 6 weeks and had it tested again. It had gone up well into the normal range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I take a sublingual in the form of methylcobalamin (it's the most bioavailable - so, your body doens't have to convert it to another form to use.) I use now - because it's an okay brand, but cheaper than the thorne my ND prefers. eta: I do subscribe and save on amazon, as it's cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I take Trader Joe's b complex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Inna* Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Yes, I'm taking this one. I've been taking it for a week now and have noticed a steady increase in energy level. Just don't take it before bed - I've read it can give you some crazy vivid dreams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I take the B-12 Cyanocobalamin shot. My dh gives it to me every 3 weeks. I definitely notice my lower energy when not taking the shot. I have thyroid issues and this is one of the side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 We learned something about B12 that is pretty serious. My mom's level was extremely low. Her hematologist/oncologist dr told us that after a certain age your body cannot process it in any form other than a shot or inhaler. He also said that as levels drop, you lose mental function and that, even if you raise the levels you will not regain lost mental function. That said, I think B12 is quite important, but when your levels start to become low, be sure you're actually able to absorb and utilize the supplements. If not, ask for shots. You do not want this level to get too low. We saw a huge decline in my mother, and it probably wouldn't have been nearly as bad if we would've been more proactive with her B12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I needed this thread. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 We learned something about B12 that is pretty serious. My mom's level was extremely low. Her hematologist/oncologist dr told us that after a certain age your body cannot process it in any form other than a shot or inhaler. He also said that as levels drop, you lose mental function and that, even if you raise the levels you will not regain lost mental function. That said, I think B12 is quite important, but when your levels start to become low, be sure you're actually able to absorb and utilize the supplements. If not, ask for shots. You do not want this level to get too low. We saw a huge decline in my mother, and it probably wouldn't have been nearly as bad if we would've been more proactive with her B12. I'm sorry about your mom. I find it suspicious, though, when a doctor says it has to be a method you can only acquire from a doctor. How many of these centarians are taking B12 shots or using inhalers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 My B-12 level was around 220 a couple months ago (normal range is about 180-800ish) I eat meat with almost every meal, so it is odd that it was that low. I took sublingual methycobalamin in a 5000mcg tablet daily for a few weeks, then switched to one tablet a couple times a week. My levels are in the mid-400s now. I continue on the 2 tablet a week therapy and likely will until my bottle is gone (6+mths) One huge difference that I noticed was my memory. I was quickly loosing memory function and since I work in pharmacy, my memory is a huge factor in doing my job well. I had random nerve pain and felt exhausted all the time. 2 months into treatment and I feel much better and my memory is coming back. B-12 is a water soluble vitamin, so you excrete the excess in your urine. But since it is stored in your liver also, I don't know if excess vitamin b-12 is dangerous in the long run or not. If you haven't been tested you may want to, just to make sure you aren't causing your self problems by taking too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I take those Alive! vitamins, they have B12 in them. I think I buy the women's max potency or something like that, I buy the kind with iron in them. I just make sure I buy the one-a-day vitamins. Some of them are three-a-day of a $20 bottle of vitamins! Yikes! One can usually find a coupon for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 My B-12 level was around 220 a couple months ago (normal range is about 180-800ish) I eat meat with almost every meal, so it is odd that it was that low. I took sublingual methycobalamin in a 5000mcg tablet daily for a few weeks, then switched to one tablet a couple times a week. My levels are in the mid-400s now. I continue on the 2 tablet a week therapy and likely will until my bottle is gone (6+mths) One huge difference that I noticed was my memory. I was quickly loosing memory function and since I work in pharmacy, my memory is a huge factor in doing my job well. I had random nerve pain and felt exhausted all the time. 2 months into treatment and I feel much better and my memory is coming back. B-12 is a water soluble vitamin, so you excrete the excess in your urine. But since it is stored in your liver also, I don't know if excess vitamin b-12 is dangerous in the long run or not. If you haven't been tested you may want to, just to make sure you aren't causing your self problems by taking too much. I'm doing this on my own at this point in an effort to be able to get out of bed in the morning. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in Nov. (I would have better luck catching a leprechaun at the end of a rainbow than getting into an endo in this town). I will ask for a B12 test. I don't like my endo though; I have a small, not growing thyroid nodule. As long as that is the same size, he considers me healthy. I have no idea if he will test me or not. Blah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I do notice a small increase in energy when I take my B12. It's nothing drastic, but I'll take what I can get. I take these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewber Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I take these http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Methylcobalamin-5000mcg-Lozenges/dp/B0013OQGO6/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1406056896&sr=1-1&keywords=b12+methylcobalamin My levels were low. I do feel better now. I think they are worth a try to feel better. I am interested in getting retested to see if my levels have changed. I did a lot of research on it when i found I was low and from all I read you need to take the sub-lingual methyl formula on an empty stomach and not eat for 30-60 minutes until after it dissolves. Do not chew. There are some people who can't absorb it through their digestive system and do have to do the shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 I take these http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Methylcobalamin-5000mcg-Lozenges/dp/B0013OQGO6/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1406056896&sr=1-1&keywords=b12+methylcobalamin My levels were low. I do feel better now. I think they are worth a try to feel better. I am interested in getting retested to see if my levels have changed. I did a lot of research on it when i found I was low and from all I read you need to take the sub-lingual methyl formula on an empty stomach and not eat for 30-60 minutes until after it dissolves. Do not chew. There are some people who can't absorb it through their digestive system and do have to do the shots. The pills I bought are sublingual and they say to take with food?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewber Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I'm sorry I don't have any specific sources, but I remember reading it several places. I'll look in my book tonight and see if I can find it exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I was regularly feeling overwhelmed before I was found to have a B12 deficiency and started supplementation. My mind felt much quieter afterwards. I used the cheaper version, the kind you can find in CVS. I was tested a few months later and my levels improved and were in the normal range. After hearing about the methyl form, I tried that, but felt no difference whatsoever, so now I usually get the cheap stuff. I am thinking about getting a complex of the methyl forms of the B's and see if that makes any difference as a combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 I was regularly feeling overwhelmed before I was found to have a B12 deficiency and started supplementation. My mind felt much quieter afterwards. I used the cheaper version, the kind you can find in CVS. I was tested a few months later and my levels improved and were in the normal range. After hearing about the methyl form, I tried that, but felt no difference whatsoever, so now I usually get the cheap stuff. I am thinking about getting a complex of the methyl forms of the B's and see if that makes any difference as a combo. How long did it take to feel a difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 We identified my very low B12 levels through a blood test. I was told to do injections 3 times a week for 1 week and weekly injections for 4 weeks before switching to supplements or one injection per month. The doctor didn't think it was possible for supplements to get me up to normal from such a low start. When I was testing at normal levels then I was told to switch to supplements to maintain. The dr. and the med spa here charge $12 per shot so it's not crazy expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I take a b complex, dr noticed calistas (?) in the corners of my lips and said it was related to b vitamin deficiency. I have a pretty healthy diet but b vitamins are destroyed by light so even though we have plenty of dairy they aren't as rich in b because we store them for a week or so (unpasteurised milk goes off within a couple of days). I was pleasantly surprised to notice a slight improvement in energy levels when I started taking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Just meant to add that it was specifically b2 that is in dairy and likely to be destroyed by storage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2samlibby Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 My B-12 level was around 220 a couple months ago (normal range is about 180-800ish) I eat meat with almost every meal, so it is odd that it was that low. I took sublingual methycobalamin in a 5000mcg tablet daily for a few weeks, then switched to one tablet a couple times a week. My levels are in the mid-400s now. I continue on the 2 tablet a week therapy and likely will until my bottle is gone (6+mths) One huge difference that I noticed was my memory. I was quickly loosing memory function and since I work in pharmacy, my memory is a huge factor in doing my job well. I had random nerve pain and felt exhausted all the time. 2 months into treatment and I feel much better and my memory is coming back. B-12 is a water soluble vitamin, so you excrete the excess in your urine. But since it is stored in your liver also, I don't know if excess vitamin b-12 is dangerous in the long run or not. If you haven't been tested you may want to, just to make sure you aren't causing your self problems by taking too much. Yours was very low and is still in the low range. The book, Could It Be B12?, recommends 500. There are major health problems that can develop from low B12 issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Yours was very low and is still in the low range. The book, Could It Be B12?, recommends 500. There are major health problems that can develop from low B12 issues. Yep, that is why I am still taking it twice weekly. I will be retested before I stop taking it, but honesty, I will likely still take a bit of a booster dose on occasion. The thing that is weird to me, is how it was low in the first place. Like I mentioned up thread, I eat meat a couple times per day. I eat good quality beef that is grass fed on a friends farm. I eat a mix of chicken, pork and beef. Since my levels are increasing with the oral supplements, it shows that I don't have an intrinsic factor issue. Maybe someday I will figure out what made me drop so low, but for now I am just happy that the oral treatment is working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Yep, that is why I am still taking it twice weekly. I will be retested before I stop taking it, but honesty, I will likely still take a bit of a booster dose on occasion. The thing that is weird to me, is how it was low in the first place. Like I mentioned up thread, I eat meat a couple times per day. I eat good quality beef that is grass fed on a friends farm. I eat a mix of chicken, pork and beef. Since my levels are increasing with the oral supplements, it shows that I don't have an intrinsic factor issue. Maybe someday I will figure out what made me drop so low, but for now I am just happy that the oral treatment is working. Any lower GI issues? B12 is absorbed only in the ileum so if there's a problem there you can get low levels. In my case, I wondered if it was because it was passing through my ileum too quickly, though I have a family history of IBD so I could potentially have mild issues with my ileum and not know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I was regularly feeling overwhelmed before I was found to have a B12 deficiency and started supplementation. My mind felt much quieter afterwards. I used the cheaper version, the kind you can find in CVS. I was tested a few months later and my levels improved and were in the normal range. After hearing about the methyl form, I tried that, but felt no difference whatsoever, so now I usually get the cheap stuff. I am thinking about getting a complex of the methyl forms of the B's and see if that makes any difference as a combo. I felt a difference very quickly. I think it only took a week or two. It was dramatic. My energy improved as well but what it did for my thinking was the most significant for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I take Nature Made, and it does increase my energy, but it takes a few days for it to work. I do not take it every day, just when I start to feel tired, then I take it daily for a week or so. I am not good at remembering to take stuff daily, so this works for me. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 My OB-GYN recommends that all his patients over 40 take a B complex supplement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I take B12 supplements. When I first was tested years ago I went through a series of injections to restore levels, and then I began monthly injections. Just as a thought, I actually give them to myself at home. The doctor orders the Rx and I simply do it the first day of the month. The first couple of times the nurse worked with me to make sure I could do it properly, and that was that. One thing to note for those concerned above at how their healthy diet could manage to result in low B12 levels...typically it can't. The liver actually stores a three year supply of B12 so it is incredibly difficult to have a B12 deficiency from diet alone. There almost always is an underlying cause, as in it is not being absorbed. There are more than a few possibilities and you might check with your doctor to try to pin it down...but know that this is very common as we get older, especially as women:) Hope you feel better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Yep, that is why I am still taking it twice weekly. I will be retested before I stop taking it, but honesty, I will likely still take a bit of a booster dose on occasion. The thing that is weird to me, is how it was low in the first place. Like I mentioned up thread, I eat meat a couple times per day. I eat good quality beef that is grass fed on a friends farm. I eat a mix of chicken, pork and beef. Since my levels are increasing with the oral supplements, it shows that I don't have an intrinsic factor issue. Maybe someday I will figure out what made me drop so low, but for now I am just happy that the oral treatment is working. Mine was somewhat low when I tested and I had been taking supplements along with a diet that was/is high in b-vit containing foods. However, my thryoid is low, which is often associated with low stomach acid and I had some other digestion issues I'm working on, it doesn't matter what you eat if you cannot asorb it. My iron was also low as well. I just had it tested but haven't received the results yet, I'm hoping that I'm getting back up to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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