B-12/B-complex
 

Hi Everyone, does anybody know if it is o.k to take B-12 and B complex together long term? I was just wondering if they work better together. Thanks, Dex.

The information here may help you to make an informed choice about this.

B-Complex Vitamins: Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage

Sorry; duplicate post deleted.

Thank you I will check this out.

It should not be a problem taking both especially if you are trying to correct a low B12 level. At some point, you may only need the complex but it really depends on your individual situation.

Hi. Can some one please help me with B12. I just had a blood test come back with a result of 282 (with 170-600) being normal. Should I try and raise this. If so how?

Thank you for the info. My last number war 1712 but I was taking supplements all the way up till the test so I am not sure if the test numbers are correct. I just want to keep my numbers up and stay there.

Hi Anthony, I think your numbers seem low but I am not a pro on this stuff so I will let someone else reply that has more knowledge than I on this as I am just starting out on supplements. Dex.

A number like 282 is too low.
 

We're one of the few nation left that actually uses ranges that allow for normal to be that low; Europe and Japan generally set the low end of the normal range in the 400s or even 500s, and there have certainly been people who have experienced deficiency related symptoms even at those levels.

It would seem some supplementation is in order, along with investigation into why the levels are there. Reduced B12 absorption from food is common with increasing age, most often due to reduced ability to produce stomach acid and/or intrinsic factor, but there can be many reasons for low B12 levels.

Fortunately, it's usually not hard to raise them with an inexpensive regimen of supplementation. We usually recommend anywhere from 1000mcg to 5000mcg daily, which can be taken in sublingual lozenges or tablets, though we also usually recommend the already methylated methylcobalamin form (as opposed to the cyanocobalamin form), just in case part of the problem is reduced ability to methylate the cobalamin molecule. (You can read all about this in the B12 thread among the Useful Websites section here.)

I also personally tell people to make sure that whatever they take they take alone, at least one hour before or two hours after eating, as it's very easy to interfere with cobalamin absorption (it's the largest nutritive molecule our bodies regularly utilize and it can be complexed very easily if you take it with food or drugs).

Thanks glenntaj. I appreciate it. Do you take the B12 by itself or do you have to take other B vitamins with it. On the B12 I was going to buy it has this message. "When taking a single B vitamin it is recommended to supplement with a B complex to ensure a balanced intake".

Most people--
 

--also take a B-complex (which may have some B12 in it), but take it at a different time of day than they take their megadose of B12.

Can some one please recommend a suitable B complex. Is this completely safe. I've had so many problems with medications in the past. I'm terrified.

I've often used--
 

--The Swanson in house brand, which is a B-complex with reasonably high, but not enormous amounts of the B-vitamins.

It comes in capsule form, and in varieties both with 500mg of Vitamin C or without.

I have noticed it does tend to make one's urine quite golden--the body does not tend to store B-vitamins that are not used immediately metabolically, and excretes them--but that is not much of a worrisome side effect. And it does seem to help me with overall energy.

The brands I like are Thorne Research, Jarrow and Life Extension. They make a B complex with the bio-available forms of B12, Folate and B6. Thorne has different variations of their complex. An example would be the one where the B12 contains two different bio-available forms of B12. Thorne tends to be more expensive of the three.

Hi. Thanks everyone. I have started a B12 supplement. In my recent blood test I had a red blood cell count over the top of the range at 6.3. It usually sits at 5.7-6.0. Is this still ok to take b12 with my RBC at this level.

Also I realised our b12 is measured in different units to the U.S.. My US equivalent is about 380.

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Anthony,

I would not stop the B12 based on your RBC. IMO, your B12 at 380 is in the lower range so I would continue. Regarding blood counts, it's best not to rely on just one test and only one aspect of your CBC. That small rise could easily be attributed to how much or how little you hydrated before your test. If you are dehydrated then there is usually a higher concentration of RBCs when they check. Your doc would be looking at the CBC results and any symptoms you are having versus just a lab result. If you are concerned, then have them check again and watch for trends.

Also, it's best to stop your B12 supplements a few days prior to testing otherwise your B12 serum result could be falsely elevated.