to ask if there's a 'tonic' I can take to help me feel less tired

[MariaWaria]

50s, fit and healthy, had blood tests etc via GP - all okay, but feel more tired than I think I should. Not exhausted /unable to function, just weary and wanting to be more energetic.

Definitely due to lack of sleep, 6h is really insufficient. Can you do something to get more sleep? Go to bed earlier, no screens 1h before bed, exercise, lavender oil, meditation (try YouTube for guided meditation)?

What would a typical day's food be for you?

Have they tested for intrinsic factor? If you don't have it ( caused by an autoimmune response and usually shows up in your late 40s early 50s) then all the iron and b12 in your blood stream may not be usable for you. I have it,it's called pernicious amemia, but it's not pernicious now, 12 weekly injections of vb12 sort it out. It also tends to run in family's. Sister has it and DD is currently being tested for it
I'm sending this reply because, despite DD telling the surgery about the family history, they only tested for iron and B12 deficiency. They then prescribed iron and B12 tablets.

DD is very clued up about pernicious anemia, so asked if they had tested for intrinsic factor. They hadn't, though they are doing now.

Worth a try, vb12 injections literally changed my life. I hadn't realized just how tired and run down i had become.

I went to my pharmacist after feeling like this to ask about a tonic.. he said they are a waste of money and advised me to take a B Vitamin Complex tablet. It was 99p from the chemist and sorted me out!!

Sorry should say it wasn't one tablet (adobe made it sound like in my post). It was a pack of about 60 tablets one per day

I have been feeling the same for years. All blood tests ok.
I’ve been taking these for a month and feel loads better

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-timed-release-busy-b-complex-with-vitamin-c-caplets-500mg-60000330

And I self inject B12 injections. Sounds worse than it is but I got the ampules on line after joining a few forums for advice on this
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Irunlikeahipo - *

I'm very interested in self jabbing with b12 as I currently need a top up every 5 weeks - was it easy ? *
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Btw does anyone know if it's true that coeliac/ibs/leaky gut means you aren't able to absorb nutrients properly and therefore need even more ? I know b12 and vit c is water soluble so theoretically you can't overdose ?

Yes jenjen different areas have different 'normal' levels for blood tests. B12 I believe in Europe and US should be absolute bare minimum of 500. Yet in south east England they say 140. Optimum levels my nurse says are 900...

Metatone and taking iron and vitamin b pills help me.

Agree with the Metatone. Great for a pick-me-up.

I agree with previous posters that you should have further blood test - B12, folate ferritin, FBC and thyroid.

I also self inject with my doctors blessing.

Here's a good support group www.facebook.com/groups/PAB12DSupportGroup/?fb_dtsg_ag=Adzyt-jQU9Kyba4pMV14AJiSimQSlM_BDXhaEchIxOPwYQ%3AAdzZPlF8MCTxBeWFouH_N1eXkZs2WIb-AYe5ehaORnZywQ

I went on Holland and Barrett website and filled out an on line questionnaire and they recommended several vitamins. I now take daily calcium, magnesium, Vit B and Vit D (my blood test was 27 so very low).

I still feel tired on occasion but nowhere near what I was which was virtually falling asleep on my feet.

With regards to six hours sleep, if that's what you need, that's what you need, they've rubbished the '8hrs solid sleep'. I average 6-6.5 a night but it's broken sleep so if you're getting six solid hours then that's fine.

Hope you're feeling better soon

Sorry to hijack Op. Where can I get ampoules of b12 to jab myself please anyone?

Thanks for the comments, all.

6 hours sleep - that's just how it is. I simply don't sleep for longer. If I go to bed earlier, I wake up earlier. Never do lie-ins - don't understand how people do them. Mostly read before falling asleep but sometimes stare at screens which I'll stop.

Diet consists mostly of fruit, vegetables, nuts and yoghurt plus salmon and oats.

Will ask for a print out of my blood results.

A bottle of stout - my nan and mam swire by it

Metatone is fabulous - even my cynical OH swears by it

Another one for vitamin D. I feel so much better since taking it.

OP interesting you are a non meat eater like me. Google heme foods (iron rich meat) and non heme (iron rich non meat foods for example plant based foods) - you need to add vit c to your non meat meals to encourage absorption of iron from these non-heme foods. Sorry haven't explained that very well.

Metatone tonic is great, it used to be on 3 for £10 deals in Asda so you can get loads more for your money than from Boots. It’s always worked on me when I’ve needed a pick me up for energy levels

What’s the main ingredient in meta tone please

Get a dog (... Or do without!). I find going for a brisk walk in the mornings and evenings really helps to blow the cob webs away!

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3916/pil

Metatone info

stop
Active substances:
Each 5 ml dose contains thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 500 micrograms, calcium glycerophosphate 45.6 mg, potassium glycerophosphate 45.6 mg, sodium glycerophosphate 22.8 mg and manganese glycerophosphate NFX 697 micrograms.
Other ingredients:
Sucrose, phosphoric acid, glucose syrup, sodium citrate, ethanol, amaranth (E123), caramel (E150), mixed oils (composed of Bitter Orange Oil, Orange Oil, Nutmeg Oil, Clove Oil, Cassia Oil, Anethole and Caraway Oil) and water.

Magnesium might help you sleep for longer. I was advised to take magnesium oxide supplements for migraine and a side effect is that it helps me sleep deeply for about 7-8 hours, and most importantly wake up feeling very well rested.

Check your thyroid levels from your blood test results (presuming it was tested) . In the middle of the normal range or near the bottom but just within normal? because underactive thyroid makes you feel tired and mentally dull, easily treatable by medication.