[Villages PL]

Since I'm not a meat eater, I need to take a B12 supplement. But it's a problem trying to figure out how much. Articles I have read recommend 2.4 mcg daily. And I have a vitamin book that recommends the same amount. But when I go to a vitamin store, the smallest amount they have is 500 mcg. tablets.

I think 500mcg. is way too much. I bought some once and cut them in half and then cut them in half again so I ended up with 125mcg. That's still too much in my opinion, but you can't keep cutting them in half. They have it in liquid form but the instructions only say that one full eye dropper equals 1000 mcg. I don't think I would like that method. I would want to know how many mcg. are in one drop.

I know that some older people need a lot more if they are not producing enough stomach acid (hydrochloric acid). But that's not my problem and too much B12 could put other B vitamins out of balance, according to a pharmacist I asked. The vitamin companies used to make it in smaller doses but have decided they don't want to do that anymore.

Getting a blood test only tells if you are deficient or if you have enough. It doesn't tell you how much you should take on a daily basis. If you're not taking enough it could take years for a deficiency to show up.

As if it's not complicated enough, there are two forms of supplemental B12 and one of them (the one I have now) could cause eye problems if you happen to have a predisposition.

I'm not sure but I suspect that too much B12 can lower B6. It seems logical to me that in the process of getting rid of excess B12 your liver might mistakenly get rid of some of its B6 as well, not to mention other B vitamins.

Has anyone solved this problem?

[jpharmat]

Let me first clarify that I am not a doctor or nutritionist... (I am a nurse...lol)
I am Vegan and also supplement my diet with B12. I take Vegan B12(methylcobalamin) by Deva. I take 1 tab sublingual daily. This was recommended by my medical (non Vegan) doctor and also by the book Vegan for Life (as well s several Vegan Facebook pages). Another way of getting B12 is by eating Nutritional Yeast Flakes (not Brewers Yeast). It has a semi cheesy taste and can be sprinkled on our food.

[Mudder]

No solution as I just started taking B12. I was told to take 1000 mg a day and have been doing that for only about two weeks. So far I have observed an increase in energy level. Perhaps I need to read up on B12.

[jimbo2012]

I was taking 2500's as a vegan, blood tested to high a level so cut back.

The only way to know is thru a blood test

[shcisamax]

I take 1000 sublingually. Maybe go up and talk to Debbie at Lake Nutrition. I can't guarantee she will know the answer but she does seem to know more than most.

[railroadman]

I take, one B12(methylcobalamin) - sublingual daily. It does seem to give me more energy during workouts.

The good lord will give you, the first 50 years. The second 50 years, you have to work for it.

[2BNTV]

VPL:

I personally would go to my PCP, and let him do a blood test. then go back to get the B12 shot.

The you can always take B12 tablets, upon PCP recommendation, of the proper dosage. My brother was B12 deficient and he got a shot. He felt tremendously better. Some things need to be administered thru a doctor, rather than self medicate.

Most of us have medical plans where we pay next to almost nothing, for doctor visits.

Just sayin.........because I know you love doctors, colonoscopies etc.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Since I'm not a meat eater, I need to take a B12 supplement. But it's a problem trying to figure out how much. Articles I have read recommend 2.4 mcg daily. And I have a vitamin book that recommends the same amount. But when I go to a vitamin store, the smallest amount they have is 500 mcg. tablets.

I think 500mcg. is way too much. I bought some once and cut them in half and then cut them in half again so I ended up with 125mcg. That's still too much in my opinion, but you can't keep cutting them in half. They have it in liquid form but the instructions only say that one full eye dropper equals 1000 mcg. I don't think I would like that method. I would want to know how many mcg. are in one drop.

I know that some older people need a lot more if they are not producing enough stomach acid (hydrochloric acid). But that's not my problem and too much B12 could put other B vitamins out of balance, according to a pharmacist I asked. The vitamin companies used to make it in smaller doses but have decided they don't want to do that anymore.

Getting a blood test only tells if you are deficient or if you have enough. It doesn't tell you how much you should take on a daily basis. If you're not taking enough it could take years for a deficiency to show up.

As if it's not complicated enough, there are two forms of supplemental B12 and one of them (the one I have now) could cause eye problems if you happen to have a predisposition.

I'm not sure but I suspect that too much B12 can lower B6. It seems logical to me that in the process of getting rid of excess B12 your liver might mistakenly get rid of some of its B6 as well, not to mention other B vitamins.

Has anyone solved this problem?

Eat some meat, problem solved.

[blueash]

Unless you have an illness or take medication that prevents absorption of B12 from your intestines, there is absolutely no reason to get a shot. All you are doing is helping the doctor with his next car payment and driving up the cost of medical care for everyone. Saying that "we pay next to nothing" means someone else is paying it, but it is getting paid and for no medical reason.

As to the question of the OP about dosing. As B12 is a water soluble vitamin, excess intake will just make your urine richer in vitamins. It will not accumulate in your body as can ADE and K. Perhaps there is some huge number which would be excessive, but if you stick with OTC products or simple multivites (how about a Flintstones?) you should be entirely safe

[B767drvr]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Since I'm not a meat eater, I need to take a B12 supplement. But it's a problem trying to figure out how much. Articles I have read recommend 2.4 mcg daily. And I have a vitamin book that recommends the same amount. But when I go to a vitamin store, the smallest amount they have is 500 mcg. tablets.

Has anyone solved this problem?

John A. McDougall, MD (I'm sure you know of him), in his book, "The Starch Solution," recommends 5 mcg daily of methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin. Or he says take 500 mcg once/week… higher doses appear "safe and non-toxic."

Keep spreading the good word VPL!

[senior citizen]

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[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by jpharmat

Let me first clarify that I am not a doctor or nutritionist... (I am a nurse...lol)
I am Vegan and also supplement my diet with B12. I take Vegan B12(methylcobalamin) by Deva. I take 1 tab sublingual daily. This was recommended by my medical (non Vegan) doctor and also by the book Vegan for Life (as well s several Vegan Facebook pages). Another way of getting B12 is by eating Nutritional Yeast Flakes (not Brewers Yeast). It has a semi cheesy taste and can be sprinkled on our food.

Thanks, jpharmat. I did some reading last night and learned that methylcobalamin is the natural form of B12. Cyanocobalamin is the synthetic form and has a cyanide molecule attached. I went Vegan in the spring of 2006 and when I started buying B12 tablets I didn't realize I was buying the synthetic form. So for the last 8 years I have been taking the synthetic form without realizing it. Now I have learned that the natural form is a safer more effective supplement.

Thanks for the recommendation of Nutritional Yeast Flakes. I'll see if I can find out who sells it in the Villages area. I believe the sublingual tab contains 1,000 mcg. and I worry that it might be too much for me.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Mudder

No solution as I just started taking B12. I was told to take 1000 mg a day and have been doing that for only about two weeks. So far I have observed an increase in energy level. Perhaps I need to read up on B12.

Glad to hear that you are having good results. If you have observed an increase in energy, perhaps you had a deficiency. But it doesn't hurt to do some reading. Here's what I have been using as a source book: The New Encylopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, & Herbs by Nicola Reavley. The only problem is, it may not be up-to-date anymore. The copyright date is 1998. I'm going to see if I can get a newer revised edition.