[mrsD]

You can take the lipoic acid every other day for a while.
I started at 50mg (before we learned about the stabilized form) and then went to 100mg.

But unlike some other members here I couldn't increase to 200mg a day on the lipoic.

No, I gave up on the methylfolate...obviously it wasn't for me.
I think I methylate okay, since I was never low in B12 to start with. (849 to start). Now we have the gene tests, to clarify for those who wish to spend that $$ and learn more.
23andMe.

I think 800mcg of methylfolate is enough for most people.

The enteric coated product is what you need to look for in P5P.
The presence of the B2 is optional. Not all P5Ps are enteric coated, and hence protected from stomach acids.

[Marie33]

Originally Posted by mrsD

You can take the lipoic acid every other day for a while.
I started at 50mg (before we learned about the stabilized form) and then went to 100mg.

But unlike some other members here I couldn't increase to 200mg a day on the lipoic.

No, I gave up on the methylfolate...obviously it wasn't for me.
I think I methylate okay, since I was never low in B12 to start with. (849 to start). Now we have the gene tests, to clarify for those who wish to spend that $$ and learn more.
23andMe.

I think 800mcg of methylfolate is enough for most people.

The enteric coated product is what you need to look for in P5P.
The presence of the B2 is optional. Not all P5Ps are enteric coated, and hence protected from stomach acids.

Hi MrsD, Thanks.
I think I will cut back to half on the R lipoic Acid and see how that works for me. I will also cut back on the Methylfolate to one pill a day meanwhile I will order the 800mcg.
Do you mean your not taking B12 beacause you were never low, or are you saying your taking it anyway and if so how much do you take? My B12 level was 1280, and Im getting 4mg of the Methylcobalamin in the metanx . Im wondern if 4mg per day is too much since I dont really need it according to my blood lab level. Im hoping by taking high doses of B12 along with the other B's and pills will help with the neuropathy.
What does 23andme mean? Thanks as usual!!

[mrsD]

23andMe is a DNA testing lab:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread179732.html
this is a recent post about one poster's experience with the methylation testing.

Most of us keep our B12 over 1000. But 4mg a day is not "too much". You might read higher in testing...but really very little is absorbed from that dose. It is the methylfolate that concerns me about that product.

I take 2 tablets of 5mg methylB12 a week now. Just as insurance.

[Tystys]

i am taking 1000mcg of methycobalimin daily and then 2000mcg on work out days, but i get a really drowsy and tired feeling from taking them, and i feel quite foggy headed with poor concentration.
Could this mean that my b12 levels are low?
i got blood tests for my vit d, iron and floic, b12 all came back normal, but reading posts on this forum and doctors normal is way too low.

[mrsD]

I answered you on your other post.

You really should get the numbers for your tests.

Diet has a lot to do with sleepiness...too many carbs and sugar stimulate sleep. (due to the action on serotonin).

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by Tystys

i am taking 1000mcg of methycobalimin daily and then 2000mcg on work out days, but i get a really drowsy and tired feeling from taking them, and i feel quite foggy headed with poor concentration.
Could this mean that my b12 levels are low?
i got blood tests for my vit d, iron and floic, b12 all came back normal, but reading posts on this forum and doctors normal is way too low.

Hi. What is your number for the B-12 on your blood tests

Melody

[Wide-O]

A very interesting resource, which gave me quite a few ideas to try. Thanks for that.

I will introduce myself elsewhere, but I think I can add one tidbit of information here that I *think* has not been mentioned. (I have read the whole thread)

People often ask about B12 upper limits: therefor it is interesting to know that a common treatment against cyanide poisoning (think people who have been in a fire) is ... B12. I learned about this reading a Dutch forum dedicated to B12. No links, but the treatment is "commercially" available to first response teams and hospitals as the cyaono-kit. It is basically a 5 gram (no typo) IV of hydroxocobalamine. In severe cases the treatment is repeated up to 3 times, which means 15 grams of B12 is forced into the blood stream, binding with the cyanide - B12 has excellent binding to it, ho hum... - and secreting it via the kidneys/urine. Although some possible side effects are mentioned, it is generally considered safe, and if I'm not mistaken the kit is mandatory in ambulances where I live.

Of course, this is an emergency producedure (don't try this at home!), but 15 grams is many thousand times the dose you get with an injection, let alone the 10% or so you ingest when using the oral doses of 1000 or 5000 mcg.

In short: no need to worry about upper limits for most people indeed.

As for me: I didn't know methylcobalamine was available OTC until this week. It makes sense for me to try this and see if this can replace the injections regimen I have followed previously. I have stopped all medication for 6 months to get a baseline reading (B12 now hovering around 400, which is still too low), and the injections are a real hassle. It would be nice if I can back to >1000 readings (like with the injections) just taking the pills.

[m777]

Hello all. I have been reading up on b-12 and came across this forum. The advice and information in this thread is very helpful.

I have been feeling unusually weak of late- not tired or sleepy, but like I have no energy reserves to muster. Suspecting it may be b-12, I had a blood test and my b12 was reported as "normal" - 270.
Many years ago, I had issues with much lower b-12 (40) and had the usual treatment of injections. This was very unpleasant and hard on my body, and I would like to avoid it this time. I cannot remember exactly what it got up to after the injections, but I'd guess somewhere around 600-800.
I am optimistic that it took this long (7 years) after the injections for my b12 to become low again. I am hoping this means when I get it up where it should be with treatment, I can maintain it at a healthy level.

Although my level is reported as normal, I have read here and elsewhere that just because a doctor says it's in the normal level, does not mean it's enough for an individual.

As I do not want to have injections again in the future, I plan to take methylcobalamin drops daily. I do not want to overpower my body by taking a high dose, but would prefer to build up if necessary. Would taking 50-100mcg drops per day be enough, or is that more of a maintenance dose once my levels are higher?
My hesitancy is due to the high dosage injections I had causing bad skin reactions, which I have also experienced when taking high dose vitamins orally.

I'm not taking any prescription medication, and as far as I know, I have low levels as I do not get b12 from my diet.

I'd be grateful for any advice on the matter.

[mrsD]

Originally Posted by m777

Hello all. I have been reading up on b-12 and came across this forum. The advice and information in this thread is very helpful.

I have been feeling unusually weak of late- not tired or sleepy, but like I have no energy reserves to muster. Suspecting it may be b-12, I had a blood test and my b12 was reported as "normal" - 270.
Many years ago, I had issues with much lower b-12 (40) and had the usual treatment of injections. This was very unpleasant and hard on my body, and I would like to avoid it this time. I cannot remember exactly what it got up to after the injections, but I'd guess somewhere around 600-800.
I am optimistic that it took this long (7 years) after the injections for my b12 to become low again. I am hoping this means when I get it up where it should be with treatment, I can maintain it at a healthy level.

Although my level is reported as normal, I have read here and elsewhere that just because a doctor says it's in the normal level, does not mean it's enough for an individual.

As I do not want to have injections again in the future, I plan to take methylcobalamin drops daily. I do not want to overpower my body by taking a high dose, but would prefer to build up if necessary. Would taking 50-100mcg drops per day be enough, or is that more of a maintenance dose once my levels are higher?
My hesitancy is due to the high dosage injections I had causing bad skin reactions, which I have also experienced when taking high dose vitamins orally.

I'm not taking any prescription medication, and as far as I know, I have low levels as I do not get b12 from my diet.

I'd be grateful for any advice on the matter.

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

The liver will store B12 during available times and when you
don't have a source this may last up to 5 yrs or so.
We evolved this because we as hunter/gatherers had periods of famine where food was scant.

You should be at 400 US units (the number will be different in some other countries.)

Studies show that sublingual and oral give the same results.
Studies also show that from 1000mcg of B12, about 13mcg are absorbed by the body. So only 1% gets in. But since 2-5mcg are the RDA, it is still enough.

People who are very low, really should take 5000mcg daily for 3 months, and then get retested. This is because the liver will scoop up much of the dose to replenish its levels, and also the CNS fluid will soak up B12 for the brain and spinal cord. Once you are at a good level, and we here keep ours at about 1000 US units, you can reduce to 1000mcg a day to maintain.

It is best to take methylcobalamin orally, on an empty stomach.
Sublingual is swallowed with the saliva, and ends up in the GI tract for the most part. If food is present, absorption will be poor or nil.

The conversion math for other countries B12 tests is on this thread somewhere. If you read this thread carefully you will find all the information you need to understand your B12 problems.

[m777]

thanks for your reply mrs D.

I have started taking 1000mcg sublingual tablets to check I don't have any reactions. If all is well after a few weeks, I will up my dose as you suggested.

It's hard to wait 30 mins to an hour to eat though! By that time I am starving.

Am I able to take my morning probiotics at the same time as the b12 or will this cause a negative effect?