How much B12

keepinthefaith · 03-20-2006, 10:23 PM

How much B12 should I be taking to help with the fatigue that Metformine is causing. I uped my dosage from 1500 to 2250 but had to go back down to 1500 because at the higher dose I was just too tired to function.

Allison. · 03-20-2006, 10:55 PM

I take a B Complex once a day and a B12 Subligual at least twice a week.

Laurntom · 03-21-2006, 02:47 PM

I was wondering the samething. I just upped to 1500 a few days ago and I am reeeaallllly tired! I was wiped out yesterday at 4pm.
I am going to the store today and was wondering what to ask for.
Thanks

nobimbo · 03-21-2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

But there is at least one major problem with metformin. It may interfere with absorption of essential nutrients in your GI tract. Medical studies spanning the last twenty years have shown that metformin causes malabsorption of vitamin B12 (4).

Metformin interferes with the calcium-dependent cell membranes in your gut that absorb vitamin B12. A recent study has shown that taking a calcium supplement reverses this problem, thus improving your B12 absorption (4). Many studies have shown that B12, B6 and folic acid supplementation will help correct problems created by poor diet and malabsorption problems.

Vitamin B12 is essential to the proper growth and function of all the cells in your body. It's required for synthesis of DNA and for many crucial biochemical functions. A long-term B12 deficiency can show up as a neurological problem with the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves. However, neurological symptoms are by no means the only health problem associated with B12 deficiency. There is also a link between B12 deficiency and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin B12, along with vitamin B6 and folic acid (another B vitamin), is responsible for metabolizing homocysteine into less potentially harmful substances (5). Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood. A normal amount is OK.

But over eighty medical studies have shown that elevated homocysteine greatly increases the risks of developing clogged arteries in the heart or brain, as well as the vessels of the legs and arms. Elevated homocysteine has been found in diabetics (6) and in women with PCOS (7, 8).

If you are taking metformin on a long-term basis, if you have PCOS, and if you are at risk for developing diabetes, you should be taking supplemental vitamin B12, B6, and folic acid. These B vitamins are a natural way for you to metabolize homocysteine and help reduce your risk for developing cardiovascular disease.

In summary, here's what we recommend:

First, take a high quality multiple vitamin-mineral. The calcium in it should help with B12 absorption. The B vitamin levels in your multi should be in the 50-100 milligram (mg) range for a daily total. The exceptions are B12 and folic acid, which are measured in micrograms (mcg). A reasonable amount of B12 is 500-1,200 mcg, and 400 mcg of folic acid. One study has indicated that taking as little as 250 mcg of folic acid daily should reduce homocystiene levels to safe ranges in women taking metformin (9).

http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news001.html#sec4

Linda

Laurntom · 03-21-2006, 03:53 PM

Thanks Linda,
I have printed off the info and will be taking it with me.
I have to be really careful w/vitamins. It messed up my synthroid before and I don't want to do that again.

emma42 · 03-21-2006, 04:05 PM

Hi,

I take B-12 sublingual too. I buy mine at Trader Joe's and it's a small pill that dissolves under the tongue for the best absorption. I also have tried the liquid B-12 that goes under the tongue too--but found the dissolving pill to be the easiest to take.

I just started a couple weeks ago after reading about met and b-12. I haven't increased my calcium but have been craving dairy like crazy so maybe my body is trying to tell me something. =)

Laurntom · 03-21-2006, 04:25 PM

Hi Emma42, hey I also take synthroid and I know that before when I took vitamins it screwed up my throid. What is it that I am supposed to avoid and what can I take and when?

nobimbo · 03-21-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurntom

Hi Emma42, hey I also take synthroid and I know that before when I took vitamins it screwed up my throid. What is it that I am supposed to avoid and what can I take and when?

You should allow at least two hours between taking calcium or iron (many multi's contain both) and synthroid.

Linda

keepinthefaith · 03-21-2006, 06:53 PM

Thank you bunches for all the info

CrazyMomof3 · 03-22-2006, 12:12 AM

I just started on Metformin a few weeks ago - can B12 malabsorbtion be apparent already? My Endocrinologist said NOTHING about B12 or B supplements. Nada!!! I'm glad I read about this!

The week before last, I went to donate blood. I do this once or twice a year. My iron level was too low to donate! They said it wasn't alarmingly low, just under their cut-off. They don't want to take any more from you when you're low. I have NEVER had low iron. Even when I was pregnant my doctors were always surprised how nice and healthy my iron levels were. Our diet includes lots of iron-rich foods. So, this metformin might be the culprit? Interesting! I'll have to ask her at my next appointment!

Laurntom · 03-22-2006, 12:51 AM

How about B-Complex sublingual liquid?
Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) 1.7mg
Niacin 20mg
Vitamin B-6 2 mg
Vitamin B-12 1,200mg
pantothenic Acid 30mg
Would this be good? I found it at the store today.

chelebug · 03-29-2006, 04:48 PM

"How about B-Complex sublingual liquid?
Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) 1.7mg
Niacin 20mg
Vitamin B-6 2 mg
Vitamin B-12 1,200mg
pantothenic Acid 30mg
Would this be good? I found it at the store today"

I just found this one also. I bought it last night so we'll see. If anyone has any input, it would be greatly appreciated!