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General health

B12 test should I stop multivitamin?

19 replies

BloomedAgain · 14/05/2019 20:16

I am going to take an active b12 bloodtest as I have many of the typical symptoms of deficiency. Do I need to stop taking a basic multivitamin and mineral supplement? If so for how long? I can't find good information.

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swingofthings · 15/05/2019 05:28

I was told that for the test to be 100% reliable, I needed to be off any supplement of vit b12 for 4 months. If your multivitamin containers b12, which it probably does, then the test might indeed not be reliable.

LiliesAndChocolate · 15/05/2019 08:24

My multivitamin has 10 mcg of B12, my B12 supplement has 1000 mcg, so chances are, the amount of b12 in your multivitamin will be ridiculously low.
I have blood test ever 6 months and I don't stop my supplements for it.

How old are you? Your need of B12 increase after 50 and everyone, not only the vegans, should be on supplements to protect cognitive abilities.

BrillyPribble · 15/05/2019 08:29

Have you ever had your standard b12 levels checked Bloomed? If so, what were they? I'm guessing that you have, you were told they were normal but you still have symptoms so want to get the active b12 test, as that seems to be what usually happens.

BloomedAgain · 15/05/2019 10:30

Yes. The "low side of normal".

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BloomedAgain · 15/05/2019 10:45

LiliesAndChocolate yes I'm the prime candidate, I have digestive problems so we're wondering if I absorb enough.

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LiliesAndChocolate · 15/05/2019 10:54

Have you tried B12 spray? It is absorbed by the mucosal membranes so the digestive system has nothing to do with it.

BloomedAgain · 15/05/2019 11:29

That's a great idea.
On the test front I don't really want to wait three months (I could stop my multivitamin today). I just checked and the multivit only contains 2.5 micrograms of b12.

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BrillyPribble · 15/05/2019 11:40

Have you had the digestive issues checked out? Coeliac disease is one which can cause b12 issues. You should also be having intrinsic factor antibodies tested as well to see if you have pernicious anaemia. In the absence of any obvious dietary issues (like veganism or coeliac disease) low b12 should really be presumed to be due to pernicious anaemia and treated with injections.

BloomedAgain · 15/05/2019 12:02

I'm on a waiting list for a colonoscopy though bloodtests have been ok also for coeliac. That may well shed some light. My intrinsic factor is ok. Apparently my b12 isn't low enough for treatment.

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LiliesAndChocolate · 15/05/2019 20:00

@BloomedAgain, told you. The amounts of vitamins and minerals is usually insignificant in multivitamins!

There are different kinds of B12. I alternate between methylcobalamin (sublingual) and cyanocobalamin.

I also have nutritional yeast every day, mostly in soups.

You are talking about signs of B12 deficiency, are these signs neurological or more linked to weakness? How is your diet?

BloomedAgain · 15/05/2019 21:00

I've been getting weakness mainly. I'm not vegetarian but I think my digestive problems may be contributing. I guess that stopping the multivit might not be necessary for testing?

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LiliesAndChocolate · 16/05/2019 08:03

Absolutely no need to stop the multivitamin. 2.5 microgram when my supplement has 1000 microgram will not only not affect your testing but your multivitamin isn't really doing anything if the other vitamins and supplements have such insignificant amounts!

Are your digestive issues being investigated?

BloomedAgain · 16/05/2019 11:31

Thank you! Yes after being fobbed off as having ibs for a long time I'm waiting to have a colonoscopy.

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DaffoDeffo · 16/05/2019 11:49

I have malabsorption but my B12 level although sub normal it is not so sub normal that I get the injections

I take the B12 spray and it keeps the level bordering on becoming ridiculously low though I still get the symptoms

it's a tricky one. I've thought about paying for the injections myself just to see if it makes a difference

BloomedAgain · 16/05/2019 21:30

That's hard Daffo. I hope you get more support with it!

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DaffoDeffo · 16/05/2019 21:34

Thanks. Good luck with your condition - hope you get some answers

RubberTreePlant · 16/05/2019 21:36

If you have B12 deficiency sur to absorption issues, you won't be absorbing it from tablets any more than you are from food.

LiliesAndChocolate · 16/05/2019 21:56

Not true. The melting tablets are absorbed by the glands under the tongue and the same applies to the b12 spray.

Hopefully you will get your answers soon. A friend of mine was diagnosed for years as IBS until she paid for a gastro and she has a certain bacteria in her gut causing pain. She went on a very special (and unpleasant ) antibiotic to get rid of it.

RubberTreePlant · 16/05/2019 22:00

She said "basic multivitamin". I doubt that's sublingual.

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