DesertBlossom Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 (edited) I thought I had read conversations here about B vitamins and which types were the best to take so I am turning to the hive. Long story short my dad was hospitalized 2 weeks ago. Most of his bloodwork was normal but he was told he was "critically low" in vitamin b12. Google says that is not uncommon in elderly and people who take metformin. He may have gotten a b12 shot in the hospital, but I don't know for sure. We do have instructions to get him on a regular b12 vitamin. What brands or types work best and is there anything he should or should not take with it? ETA: He was hospitalized for what we now believe to be a reaction to a medication he was taking. That has resolved itself. But he does have all the symptoms of low b12 so we would like to address that Edited July 29, 2019 by DesertBlossom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 B12 can be compounded for injections at home but you would want Methylcobalamin rather than cyanocobalamin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Methylcobalamin for sure. Shots into fat are best. Needles are tiny. Sublingual comes next. Pharmica, compounding, or similar for a quality drug store. I order online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 If “critically low” I think that means injectable is needed. ? I use Jarrow methylcobalamin sublingual; it seems to agree with me, but I’m not critically low. (I think some people on here on here have said they avoid methylcobalamin because they are overmethylators— ??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 You can give b12 shots at home? Where would I go about getting those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Seems to me your dad should have instructions for getting his B12 from hospital or health provider—not just be told he’s “critically low.” Can you call the hospital? Gardenmom suggested what she uses online, but I don’t know if you need a prescription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 When mine were critically low I did 3 shots a week for 1 or 2 weeks. (I don't remember exactly.) Then 2 shots a week for 1 or 2 weeks. Then 1 shot a week for 2 weeks, then blood work to see if they were normal. Once it was confirmed they were back up to normal it was either supplements daily and blood work to see if they were staying at normal levels (odds weren't good) or 1 shot every 1-2 weeks for the rest of my life. I lost my ability to absorb B12 in my digestive tract, so odds aren't good I could absorb enough to stay normal. I go to a med spa for my shots because I can just walk in and get it and be out in 5 minutes but you can get a prescription to do it all yourself or have a family member do it for you. It's very dangerous to have low levels over a long time. It affects cognition, energy levels, and how your nervous system operates. How ever it is he gets B12 into his system, he needs blood work to confirm it's working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 2 hours ago, Pen said: Seems to me your dad should have instructions for getting his B12 from hospital or health provider—not just be told he’s “critically low.” Can you call the hospital? Gardenmom suggested what she uses online, but I don’t know if you need a prescription. I picked up his prescriptions and there was a note attached saying that the b12 was OTC so it wasn't filled. I don't have it in front of me right now but there was a dosage. I just know enough to know that not all supplements are created equal. We are actually having an emergency family meeting regarding my dad to discusd long-term plans. It's been a difficult couple weeks. He went from the hospital to an acute care center. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 You could get a sublingual Methylcobalamin . This the one I use: Jarrow Formulas Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12), Supports Brain Cells, 5000 mcg, 60 Lozenges https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013OQGO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Cc8pDbH3TSXCJ Im sure there are a bunch of good ones. so he could get started and if he’s supposed to get an injectable you could be getting info on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 I give myself monthly B12 injections. Isn't hard. Made a big difference. Sublingual did nothing for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geodob Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 You definitely need to start on a few B12 injections a week immediately. For at least a month. Also only use Methylcobalamin, as that is the natural form that the body uses. With B12 tablets, sublingual which dissolve under tongue. Enable much better absorption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 16 hours ago, DesertBlossom said: Most of his bloodwork was normal but he was told he was "critically low" in vitamin b12. 10 hours ago, DesertBlossom said: I picked up his prescriptions and there was a note attached saying that the b12 was OTC so it wasn't filled. I don't have it in front of me right now but there was a dosage. Do you or any relative has access to his medical records? I did not add my husband to my online health account but my medical records I have save to PDFs and put in a shared folder in the cloud (iCloud, OneDrive) so my husband can read and easily access. My potassium level was just above the 3.5 cutoff and my oncologist put in a prescription for me. The potassium supplements he prescribed are not the OTC kind. My haemoglobin levels were dropping and if they had drop further, a blood transfusion would be needed. I have my own iron supplements and mine wasn’t low enough for insurance to pay for OTC iron supplements. So I believe that there are cutoffs where insurance would be willing to pick up the tab for supplements that are easily available OTC. Does your dad need to go back for blood test to monitor his B12 level? When my haemoglobin level was near the critical low level, my medical team had me do a blood test a week later to see if it was trending up or down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 10 hours ago, DesertBlossom said: I picked up his prescriptions and there was a note attached saying that the b12 was OTC so it wasn't filled. Note from whom? He had a prescription for injectable and pharmacy didn’t fill it? Or note from medical providers telling you to get OTC type? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Pen said: Note from whom? He had a prescription for injectable and pharmacy didn’t fill it? Or note from medical providers telling you to get OTC type? It was a note written on the bag that his filled rx came in. So I assume it was a rx sent over that the pharmacy didn't fill. We heard while he was hospital that he was low in b12. All this info is not in one place, nor is one person charge. Of my siblings I keep his pills organized, but my sister takes him to his appts, for example. I have no idea what meds or supplements the acute care center is giving him, but we need to find out. We are hoping to bring him home this week. He sees a family doctor that we like, but we discussed maybe finding someone who is more of a specialist. I don't know. He has got some pretty big health concerns (t2 diabetes, random kidney issues, etc) Edited July 30, 2019 by DesertBlossom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 9 minutes ago, DesertBlossom said: It was a note written on the bag that his filled rx came in. So I assume it was a rx sent over that the pharmacy didn't fill. We heard while he was hospital that he was low in b12. All this info is not in one place, nor is one person charge. Of my siblings I keep his pills organized, but my sister takes him to his appts, for example. I have no idea what meds or supplements the acute care center is giving him, but we need to find out. We are hoping to bring him home this week. He sees a family doctor that we like, but we discussed maybe finding someone who is more of a specialist. I don't know. He has got some pretty big health concerns (t2 diabetes, random kidney issues, etc) Try to reach the hospital , the pharmacy, etc to clarify, ASAP. Where I am you can only get injectable B12 otc if it’s for animals. Meanwhile, if it were me, I’d right away get sublingual methylcobalamin as lozenges or drops or spray. Something. And get started on it right away. Low B12 shouldn’t be deferred. I have to take quite a lot more sublingual lozenges than any suggested dose to absorb much at all. Besides blood tests to check levels, some symptoms can feel noticeably better after taking a goodly dose of B12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) The note on the bag says b12 1000mg. It doesn't say how often. Super helpful. 😐 Where can I buy injectable b12? Edited July 30, 2019 by DesertBlossom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) 30 minutes ago, DesertBlossom said: The note on the bag says b12 1000mg. It doesn't say how often. Super helpful. 😐 I take Nature's Bounty Quick Dissolve B-12 Methylcobalamin 1000 mcg Microlozenges (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HA6GZY2/). I bought from CVS and it’s also available OTC at Walgreens, Rite Aid and other pharmacies. ETA: Oops. Didn’t realize it’s 1000mg and not 1000mcg. Edited July 30, 2019 by Arcadia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 18 minutes ago, DesertBlossom said: The note on the bag says b12 1000mg. It doesn't say how often. Super helpful. 😐 Where can I buy injectable b12? Mg or mcg? 1000mg sounds really high. 1000mcg sounds low for someone critically low—in so far as I take 5000mcg or more daily and am not critically low. Where I am injectable for a human has to be from a pharmacy with prescription. IME it’s hard to overdose on sublingual B12. I may try this type instead of lozenges. But currently I use See image I am currently in my vehicle while my Ds is in driver ed. I have B12 with me. Almost All the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Organic Vitamin B12 - Extra Strength 60 x 5000mcg Liquid Drops (Methylcobalamin), w/Natural Cherry Flavor | Designed to Maximize Absorption & Energy | Vegan, Gluten & GMO-Free https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWPP1GC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TnhqDb1CYX4ZC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 I will call the pharmacy and see if I can get a copy of the original rx and call the acute care center to see if they are giving him anything. We are hoping to get him home in the next couple days. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBlossom Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) I just picked up the original rx from the pharmacy. It does say 1000mcg. Is that enough then? If it makes a difference, he is 300lbs and in his mid 70s. The prescribing dr was the dr in the hospital. I don't know how soon we could get him into his regular doctor. Edited July 30, 2019 by DesertBlossom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 I've read that if you need any of the B's you should take all of them. I'd do this: https://www.amazon.com/Thorne-Research-Complex-Vitamins-Capsules/dp/B00HST919C?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2602273011&th=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 21 minutes ago, DesertBlossom said: I just picked up the original rx from the pharmacy. It does say 1000mcg. Is that enough then? If it makes a difference, he is 300lbs and in his mid 70s. The prescribing dr was the dr in the hospital. I don't know how soon we could get him into his regular doctor. I don’t think lay people who are not his doctor can answer that. I have had 3 or 4 5000 mcg sublingual lozenges today. Some days I might have 1 or none. In theory what I had today would be a whole lot, but I don’t absorb it well. I also take a BComplex capsule, but don’t think I absorb the B12 from it. I think 1000mcg would probably be an improvement over 0mcg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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