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Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:06 am
by Alexis
Hello

My last bit of blood work showed my active B12 to be quite high and outside the normal range.

I stopped supplementing with b12, but am now wondering whether I should have — especially given the importantance Bredesen puts on the vitamin. Perhaps being outside the normal range is a good thing?

Any wisdom would be gratefully received.

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:24 am
by Julie G
Cognitive decline is associated with low "normal" B12. You can read more here. Dr. Bredesen's recommended levels are optimized to be neuroprotective.

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:42 am
by slacker
Alexis;

US units for Vit B12 are in pg/mL. A conversion program I found showed 218 pmol/L is equivalent to 295.32 pg/mL. One national US lab company (Lapcorp) has a "normal" range of 232 - 1245 pg/mL. This is very different from the normal range shown in your attachment.

Would someone else check my "math"?

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:43 am
by Its Me
Alexis wrote:My last bit of blood work showed my active B12 to be quite high .,, Any wisdom would be gratefully received.
FWTW fact sheet - https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Vitam ... fessional/

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:16 am
by NF52
Alexis wrote:Hello
My last bit of blood work showed my active B12 to be quite high and outside the normal range.
Hi Alexis,

I noticed that you mentioned the NHS on a previous post, so thought I'd check with what UK recommended levels are currently. This is from 2018 guidance in Hull and Yorkshire, but does suggest what Slacker said: that you lab chart seems off, not your current level.
The normal ranges for B12 and folate levels based on the above methodology are:B12 (115 to 1000 pmol/L) (B12 levels just within the normal range can lead to symptoms so results 115-150 should be assessed on an individual basis)
Guidelines for the Investigation and Management of Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:38 am
by PBW
I just returned from an appt with Mitsu, Dr Gundry's PA. My blood levels for B12 (taking 1000 mcg daily) is 1376 pg/ml by Veridia labs which is at the top for normal on Veridia's standards. Mitsu increased my intake to 5000 mcg's daily. Seemed high considering. And yes I am heterozygous genotype for MTHFR C677T and A1298C and 4/4. She also Doubled my intake of TMG to 1000 mg's daily but left folate at 1000 mcg daily.
This was my initial appt with Gundry's office. I will follow up this visit in 6 months and see Dr Gundry in August.

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 11:32 am
by Plumster
Did you stop taking B12 supplements 2-3 days before your lab test?

B12 will circulate in your body before your body gets rid of it. Keep taking B12 (except before a test) as there are no drawbacks, only advantages. Your body will naturally get rid of what you don't use.

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:03 pm
by Alexis
slacker wrote:Alexis;

US units for Vit B12 are in pg/mL. A conversion program I found showed 218 pmol/L is equivalent to 295.32 pg/mL. One national US lab company (Lapcorp) has a "normal" range of 232 - 1245 pg/mL. This is very different from the normal range shown in your attachment.

Would someone else check my "math"?
Thanks!

I used a private company called Medichecks. It’s bizarre that what they stipulate as the normal b12 range should be so conservative — looks like I’ve got relatively low levels (at least in the US! :) )

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:08 pm
by Alexis
NF52 wrote:
Alexis wrote:Hello
My last bit of blood work showed my active B12 to be quite high and outside the normal range.
Hi Alexis,

I noticed that you mentioned the NHS on a previous post, so thought I'd check with what UK recommended levels are currently. This is from 2018 guidance in Hull and Yorkshire, but does suggest what Slacker said: that you lab chart seems off, not your current level.
The normal ranges for B12 and folate levels based on the above methodology are:B12 (115 to 1000 pmol/L) (B12 levels just within the normal range can lead to symptoms so results 115-150 should be assessed on an individual basis)
Guidelines for the Investigation and Management of Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency

Thank you!

By the that metric, my levels are definitely not high. I think I’ll contact the lab test provider!

Re: Should I stop supplementing with b12?

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:53 pm
by PBW
Plumster, I did not stop B12. They did recommend I stop another vitamin which I wasn't taking at the time.