B 12
 

I have been reading the stickie re: B 12. It seems that there are differing opinions on what is considered the "normal" range.

My most recent test showed a B 12 level of 217. What is the optimal B 12 number for a person with PN?

Di

I'd say 217 is not normal. Many other countries use the cut off of 500 or so. Japan especially is very aggressive with this because they had a huge national disaster of low B12 caused by the drug Vioform (clioquinol) which was removed from oral sale in US in the 70's.

The article from 2003 I linked to by American Association of Family Physicians uses 400.

If you are having problems, enough to look for answers on the internet, and have arrived HERE, I'd start with B12 supplements ASAP.

:eek:

I have just returned from my local health food store and have purchased Methyl B-12 as the stickies suggest. I shall start tomorrow morning as per the instructions in the stickie.

Thanks for your response Mrs. D, and I thank everyone for all the helpful information posted. It's not only learning what to take, but HOW to take it that has helped me (and so many others) so much.

Thanks again, and I hope all you Americans are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

Di

That's great you found it locally...it can be difficult, but in the last 2 years have seen a huge increase in awareness of the supplement makers. This is probably because the RX Metanx uses it, methylcobalamin.

You will want to start aggressively....at least 2-3mg or even 5mg for a couple of months daily. Then as you improve you can go down to 1mg daily if you want. Some people stay high just for insurance against relapse. Take on an empty stomach. You don't have to do it under the tongue, but you can if you want. Just make sure your stomach is empty, since you swallow that saliva etc with B12 in it.

Oh boy! I guess I'll go back to my health food store! I bought the 1mg, but they also had the 5mg tablets. Thanks again! :hug:

Di

iHerb.com has reasonable rates on Methyl B12
I use Jarrow (cause they taste good) in the bottles of 100 lozenges.