At least 1000 mcg (or 1 mg). 1000 - 2000 mcg is the basic medical textbook dose.

If it's methylcobalamin type, you may take much more if you like, and, sometimes it helps even if there isn't a deficiency in B12. Some people, for one reason or another, need lots of methylcobalamin.

rose

If you are going to the doctor I'd ask to try these. They can help nerve pain
considerably. Enough to get you out of bed perhaps.

I have used them for years.

Thank you. I got the b12 in the 1000mcg and I was mistaken the b complex I think has 15mcg. The multi I take has 6mcg.So assuming I still have high b12 and the doc said to lay off for a week and it may be a fluke but since I stopped the b complex I feel worse and more symptoms what should I take? Should I take just the b complex or just the b12 or both?

If I were you, I would take a B complex (I would look for one that has better doses than that one appears to have), a multi-vitamin, and I would take 5000 mcg methylcobalamin per day.

But I would take the methylcobalamin alone, not with any other supplements. And to get the most out of it, I would take it without food.

Make sure you are getting iron-rich and potassium-rich foods.

I also would do a lot of reading on the vitamin form, where there is a lot of good information on other nutrients, including fish oil.

rose

Thank you and I replied on the other about this as I'm still confused on the 5000 is that 5 of the 1000mcg of b12 or am I lost? Sorry I think I'm a little slow.

Yes, 5 of the 1000 mcgs of the B-12. I take this every day.
So far so good.

Melody

Wow. I thought 1000 was a lot and almost bought the 500. Do you take a b complex too?So there is no harm in that much?

A page from my website: http://roseannster.googlepages.com/treatment

rose

Thank you. I read your other response too. Do you take magnesium as well? I had started and the my moms friend brought it up about taking it when she had leg cramps and how it worked. If so how much of that? Did you start taking 5 of the b12 right away?

Well, from what I've read - too much b-complex can be a bad thing because B6 can cause problems if you overdose. But B12 ALONE - I'm not an expert - is usually reported as safe at high levels.
You may be experiencing more pain because you stopped the B-complex, which had B12, which you aren't getting now.
So maybe you could try JUST a B12 supplement (without the "complex")?
I take one B12 "dot" daily (500 mcg) sublingual (under the tongue). Plus I give myself a monthly B12 shot (doctor prescribed).
Also, ask your doctor which B-vitamin he thinks is too high. If it is not B12, you should be able to keep taking it by itself. If your doc says it IS the B12, ask him why he thinks it is dangerous. Maybe he knows something we don't?? I'm interested to hear the doc's rationale.
Liz