Pain free quest - B 12 and other vitamin / mineral ranges

[LazyMoose]

I decided to 'test' my need for vitamins / minerals a while back in my quest to be near pain free. Everyone that has lingering symptoms needs to do this if they're already on the best thyroid med that works for them (also trial and error).

I have found that magnesium ranges are similar to T3 ranges for me (for all?), just because your in range doesn't mean your optimized. The doc said I didn't need Magnesium since I was at the 35% level in the mag range after quitting additional mag intake for one month. Wrong!!!  I have proven the positive effects of 400mg Mag Glycinate per day (night) since then. Those of you on cheap Mag Oxide need to change to a better type.

So my next step.............What have been peoples experiences with B12????????????  I tested around 40% level of B12 a year ago, but my experience from mag tell me I might benefit from more. There are a few different ways to get B12 - tablets, sub-lingual tabs, liquid and injections. Has anyone tried all? Were you 'in range' but still feel the benefits taking a quality B12?

Two months ago I quit taking my 'super' multi vitamin which was the only additional B12 I was getting. I feel no change. Plus if you want to know what your body needs, you need to stop a multy for the time being.  Personally I think multies are a joke. Its impossible to cram all what they claim in one tablet. If you took the individual equivilant you would have a handfull of pills per day!

Note: Tried individual B1 for one month - so far I cant tell any benefit. D test was very good (I think that was D-25), I'm at about 80% on calcium too with no additional intake of either.

[laura1967]

I do B12 shots weekly, and it has made a huge difference! It also gets rid of the neuropathy I still have in my hands and feet.

[stella5349]

Usually those 2 supplements are good for thyroid patients. Our bodies are robbed of them when this disease is with us.

Another is the Vit D

Citrate is the best form to take due to absorption.

[Brucergoldberg]

My b12 was low in all my blood tests.  I get a b12 shot every time I stop by my dr. They are painless but honestly I can't tell they do anything.

Also I was taking multivitamins that I bought at target.  They were one a day for men.  Then I read on a thyroid web site not to take these, and to go to a vitamin store and buy a good vitamin.  I bought a supped up vitamin that has tons of d and b12 in it.  Also taking a c, and an extra hit of d.

The vitamins I bought you take 3 times a day so it is absorbed and not peed out.

[redheadaussie]

I had my B12 tested prior to bing diagnosed, around 15 years ago. I had zero levels! I was exhausted and KNEW my thyroid was off, but couldn't get a doctor to listen. BUT he says, B12 was so low it was becoming dangerous. That was a stunner to me! I was a part vegetarian back then. Years later when tested again, I was still low. I scratched my head. Bulked up on all the goodies that give you B12 and still it was low.
  I believe it was a symptom of having the start of my Hashimoto's and (at that time) my severe hypothyroidism.
Only in the past few years did I change from cow's milk to Soy milk and within two weeks asking to be retested, my B12 levels were through the roof! Couldn't believe it. Now I know most people will jump on me and say not to have soy, but pffft. If for me nothing else works for B12 (even taking a capsule of it for years!) then I will stay with it. Besides I only have it in a cup of tea and only a few times a day.

  I try to avoid multi-vitamins as the logic is, our bodies only absorb around 5% of it.

BUT the issue for me is still ongoing fatigue etc. So having super wonderful B12 levels now,  (we need it for so many things!) is great for my body, but I seriously would never have known any difference if I was never tested.
Put it this way, taking it can't hurt!

[Barb135]

I've only been tested once for everything except B12 and because I have pernicious anemia, that is checked on a regular basis.  

I can tell you, from experience that just because B12 levels are "in range", doesn't mean you don't need to supplement.  When I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia 4 yrs ago (for the second time), my B12 levels were slightly above 200 (range 200 - 1100).  After being on monthly shots for a year, my levels were still only up to about 500, so my shots were increased to every 2 weeks.  My latest levels (after 3 1/2 yrs) were just over 700. As my shots were increased, I felt better, but not good enough to even get through a day without crashing. I am now on weekly shots and can tell a world of difference...... I can also tell when the week is up and it's time for another shot.  So, the 200, 500, and 700 were all "in range", but none of them optimal.  I am due to be tested again in early Feb. so will see what my levels are then.

For B12 supplementation, I've tried tablets, capsules, liquid, sub lingual and injections; injections are the only form that makes a noticeable difference, though I could tell a slight difference with the sub lingual after taking them for about a month.  Even did sub lingual with my monthly shots for some months and couldn't tell a difference.

The main others that I can tell a lot of difference from is selenium and magnesium.  I was deficient in both.  

I do not take a multi because, like you, I feel that they can't really get that much stuff into one pill and I've never found one that I can tell a difference with.  So, yes, I end up taking a handful of pills every day, actually, supposed to take the vitamins/minerals twice a day (don't usually); and these are over and above my 2 thyroid and 2 blood pressure med(s).........