Hi all

This is my first posting and would like some advice. I have the most terrible burning, stabbing pain etc and went to my doctors and got a blood test for
B12. The result was 460. The doctor said that this was fine but because I am desperate I went to the health shop and bought B12.

The B12 is Cyanocobalamin ( This is the only type I could get )
It is TIMED RELEASE 1000ug

I have started taking one in the morning and one at night.

Please tell me if this is OK

Thanks in advance
Bernie

Timed release is not a great formulation. Immediate release is better. There is only one area of the small intestine that absorbs regularly.

What you have is not harmful, but not spectacular either.

Your test results are borderline.

You can buy another form, preferably the methyl if you can get it, or use this up and replace it with the better type.
Take it on an empty stomach for best results.

If you have intact intrinisic factor, it will help more be absorbed.

You can get retested in 3 months. If there is no change it is because of the "timed release".

First of all thankyou for replying to my posting. It has taken me quite a while replying because I didn't log in properly.I will get the methyl form of V12 from the internet as it's not available in my home town. I have already ordered it and will start to take it as soon as it arrives.Sorry for the ignorance but what does intact intrinisic factor mean.Also do you have any idea how long it will take for any improvement to take place if B12 is contributing to my condition.
Thanks in advance
Bernie

Normally when we eat animal protein, the protein is broken down by acid in the stomach releasing the microgram amounts of B12 present. Then special cells in the stomach called parietal cells make a carrier molecule called intrinsic factor. This latches onto the B12 and when it reaches the small intestine, intrinsic factor then carries the B12 into the bloodstream (B12 is a very large molecule and doesn't do this well by itself.)

Some people develop autoimmune difficulties where the cells that make intrinsic factor are damaged by antibodies. With no intrinsic factor to help then, no B12 from food gets thru. The older name for this condition is pernicious anemia. Also if there is no acid to digest the protein, then B12 is not released to any intrinsic factor that may be present.

So if you have intact intrinsic factor, your B12 in supplement form may be enabled for absorption by it. If you have a failure with intrinsic factor, then passive absorption is the only way for the B12 molecule to pass into the blood stream. To do this it has to be present in high amounts in the right place. A timed release product will slowly release small amounts of B12 over time, and restricts this passive absorption potential. An immediate release or sublingual type will release all of the B12 into the saliva and stomach contents quickly. Timed release is not a satisfactory method for a complex absorption requirement for a molecule like B12. I don't know why they even make it.

Taken on an empty stomach, every day in amounts of 1mg or more, you can see improvement in blood levels within a month.
Typically 3 months is a better time period. Each person is different and rates may vary.

Mrs. D, are you a science teacher? That was one of the best descriptions of the iintrinsic factor and active and passive diffusion. My daughter(14) is learning about this right now so that is how I am aware of it. Just wanted to thank you because I am low on B12 for which I take monthly injections and doc does not seem to give me a reason for it. Do you know of a test that can show missing intinsic factor in stomach? Thanks Mary

There was a test.... called the Schilling's test.

But this test was discontinued by labs in this country.

There is a test for the antibodies for the parietal cells, however.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003351.htm

I have a B12 thread at the top of this page.... it has medical links explaining that oral dosing is as effective as injections.

Low stomach acid is also a reason for B12 failure from food. The common use of acid lowering drugs has contributed to a new deficiency in this country... B12.