[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by mrsD

Welcome to NeuroTalk.



There are 5mg doses at iherb.com from several manufacturers.
Also Puritan's Pride started carrying methylB12 oral too, which I took as a trial to see if it works, and it does splendidly. You can save alot of money with their sales. Soon the buy one get 2 free will be offered. Usually in early summer.

When taking methylcobalamin orally you MUST take it on an empty stomach. If you are low like this, that implies a failure of intrinsic factor. So you cannot rely on intrinsic factor to aid in absorption. The B12 then is passively absorbed in the small intestine...and presence of food acts as a sponge and reduces that. 5mg orally daily on an empty stomach should get you above 1000 in 3 months. I'd stay on it for at least 6 mos to a year since you have symptoms. Eventually you may be able to come down to 1000mcg (1mg) to hold at a good level. During the first year you will be building storage in the liver and also sending the B12 into the spinal fluid and brain. This is dependent on good serum concentrations, so you need to keep high for a while to accomplish that.

If you have some malabsorption issue in general, from inflammation like Crohn's disease or gluten sensitivity you probably will be low in other things. That is why diagnosis is important to show you what else you need to boost.

Mrs. D.

I have a question about intrinsic factor. My friend (7 days ago), had a vertical gastrectomy (vertical sleeve weight loss surgery). They took out 85% of her stomach. Kind of radical I know but she was determined and as of last night (after 7 days) she has lost 26 pounds.

She is on protein shakes and jello all kinds of liquids. No solid food yet.

I know she's on supplements and such, but with the loss of 85 % of her stomach does this have an effect on intrinsic factor? She does not take any Methyl B-12.

Shouldn't she be doing what I do and take 5000 every morning on an empty stomach?

Thanks much