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B-12 users-tablet strength

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Posted 7/16/2019 7:10 AM (GMT -6)
So my labs came back with very low B-12...as I have always been. It's extremely difficult to get the injections anymore-they always helped me. GP says he thinks I should be able to absorb a tablet since my issues are lower GI. He ordered 1000mcg tablet via my mail order pharmacy. They won't fill it because it is OTC strength.
Is OTC strength enough for you?
Are you getting a prescription strength tablet and it helps as well as injections?
Are you still getting the injections?
Posted 7/16/2019 8:00 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Erin,
I am getting injections once a month and even with that I am low/normal range. I am planning to talk to my PCP about re-testing and possibly increasing the injections to twice a month depending on my lab results. Why aren't you able to get injections covered anymore? Prior to getting the shots, I was trying oral B-12...I can't remember the dosage but taking it daily never moved my lab results a bit. I suspect I can't absorb oral B-12 and I'm thinking with your surgery you might have the same issue. My PCP rather than my GI is the one prescribing it. When I had my re-section surgery the surgeon said I should have enough small intestine left that I should be able to absorb B-12 but that didn't turn out to be the case. I was having neurological symptoms---numbness in my face and hands prior to the B-12 shots which all went away after I started them. I think you should try to push for the shots if at all possible.
Posted 7/16/2019 8:04 AM (GMT -6)
Hi! I was having a hard time with the availability of the injectable B-12. I was suspect about if I would actually absorb the B-12 and you and I have had similar paths---makes me more suspect.

I'm going to buy the OTC ad let my GP see. I haven't seen my GI in some time. They broke from the teaching hospital which is a good thing, but he is kind of a jerk.
Posted 7/16/2019 9:16 AM (GMT -6)
For a while I was taking a Vitamin B12 spray. It bypasses the GI tract entirely so there should be no absorption issues. Four daily sprays give you 1200 micrograms.

It worked for me. It raised my B12 from approx. 300 to 400, and I wasn't taking the spray for that long. This is the kick I need to start it again, especially as I'm showing a lot of the symptoms of minor deficiency (including disturbed vision...)

The company is BetterYou, if you want to look it up. It's British but I'm sure you can get it shipped to the US if need be.
Posted 7/16/2019 1:42 PM (GMT -6)
I use Jarrow Formulas Methylcobalamin (Methyl B12) 5000 mcg; available from Amazon, no prescription needed in the USA. Helps get my B12 into a normal range.
Posted 7/16/2019 1:43 PM (GMT -6)
Have you looked into a sublingual tablet? I used these in the past and they worked well. I found them at GNC.
Posted 7/17/2019 6:04 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks folks! I can't use Amazon (I won't pay a membership fee to buy stuff from someone & they won't ship for free over $25 total bill anymore--tilting at windmills there). I will look at GNC...if I can get the same strength as the pills, I will try the sub lingual before the pills.
Really feeling the low B-12 symptoms the last few months....hmm wonder if that is why my skin has felt crawly too---putting 2 and 2 together. My tongue is swollen and burning which is always my first sign, but I'm also seeing the hard to focus issue lately.
Posted 7/17/2019 6:08 AM (GMT -6)
I got free Amazon shipping just a couple days ago on an order of $27 value, without an membership.

Also, if you have a local vitamin shop, they will have the higher potency B-12. Sometimes I've seen it in the grocery store. I personally like the Jarrow brand, just mentioned Amazon as it seems to be more widely accessible.
Posted 7/17/2019 7:35 AM (GMT -6)
There's no fee to join Amazon or to buy stuff from it. Amazon Prime, which you do pay for, is completely optional.

Nor is Amazon the only website to buy supplements from. Do a search for vitamin B12 supplements and loads of sites should come up. I know iherb.com is one of them. I had a quick look and they do a spray, if you're interested.

PS: I have crawly skin (mostly at night) and blurry vision too. My tongue seems okay though.
Posted 7/17/2019 11:21 AM (GMT -6)
How low is your vitamin B12 level? I have 275 pg/ml from 2 years ago, it's kind of low. But I am not taking any supplement.
Posted 7/17/2019 2:00 PM (GMT -6)
Paul - I'm at 203 and the "standard" range is 232-1245. Even when I was doing the monthly injections, the best I got up to was 340. Going to a GNC tomorrow to see if I can get the sublingual. GP said he'll test again in 3-4 months.

Thanks for the input on Amazon--the last three orders I tried to place (over $25) were subject to shipping. I will give it another try on something else. I am an old school brick-and-mortar kind of girl. smile
Posted 7/17/2019 5:00 PM (GMT -6)
I'm at 335 after two years of monthly injections....still not great but I was in the 200 range prior to the shots
Posted 7/18/2019 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
I switched from injection to over the counter a few years back and had no problem. Levels are always higher than normal range so I usually skip it every so often
Posted 7/17/2019 9:27 PM (GMT -6)
I use 1000 mcg gummy Vit B12s daily, in addition to having it in my diet. My levels got up to around 900 after being at 250, three years prior. I'm not sure how long it took to raise my levels since I didn't get it regularly tested. OTC strength works okay for me!
Posted 7/18/2019 6:16 AM (GMT -6)
@Habs - Ah okay >_>. Yes, Amazon does have shipping charges now. Well, it's always had them, but it's raised the minimum spend under which postage & packing was free. In fact I'm not sure if it offers free P&P at all anymore - you probably have to join Prime now or something.

Other sites may have free shipping, though, particularly if you order within the US. But yeah, I tend to prefer buying from shops as well: saves all the hassle with deliveries and the risk of not being in when the product arrives. Or, in my case, being asleep. (Glad to say I got my melatonin today, though.)
Posted 8/14/2019 10:03 AM (GMT -6)
I take Now brand B-12, 1,000 mcg once or twice a week and have never been deficient in b-12 (I'm also vegan so I don't get b-12 through my diet).
Posted 11/1/2019 10:35 AM (GMT -6)
OTC strength b12 was never enough for me but getting the injections monthly was a hassle so my family doctor's nurse showed me how to inject myself, I purchase the liquid b12 at drugstore, the needles at med supply store and inject myself, my levels are continuously normal, was easy once I learned how
Posted 11/7/2019 10:29 PM (GMT -6)
My B-12 was in the low 200s - my new Gi says that's "fine" and advises OTC supplements only "if I want them."

At my old practice, I think that would have been perceived as low. I started out in the 100s and go into 200s with shots, but wasn't getting them regularly enough. They were always wanting me to increase the level so i'd be above 350. I too had trouble with availability of B-12 injections, and with scheduling. Will give OTC a try,

She did say my Vitamin D was very low and advised supplements for that. But, she did not seem too interested in the B-12. Interesting to get used to a new practitioner after 12 years with the first one.
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