B12 Levels

[alevoy18]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with Celiac's disease by blood test and biopsy last November. I have been gluten free since then and my seizures, heart troubles have improved. I had a pacemaker put in, but it working less now which is awesome!

My only concern is that my b12 was 270 back when I was diagnosed. I had it retested last week and it came back 257. Everything else seemed better, but my b12 did not improve even with my vitamins. My GP and GI doctor both feel 257 is perfect, but I feel a 24 year old male should have more than that while eating right and taking vitamins.

Any input or history of others b12 is appreciated!

By the way...the only symptoms i have left after going gluten-free is I still have orthostatic hypotension when going from sitting to standing and still tired sometimes.

Thanks.

Adam

[ravenwoodglass]

You should be taking a sublingual B12. It will bypass the damaged gut and go straight into your bloodsteam through the mucous membranes in your mouth. You are right your numbers need to be higher. Some places want the levels at least at 500 but in the US the low level in the 200s. You should feel a difference in a relativesly short time with the sublinguals. Don't worry about the high levels in the tablets, B12 is a water soluable vitamin and will not build up to a toxic level. Your body is simply pass the extra it doesn't need.

[lynnelise]

My levels are in the 200s as well. My old doctor gave me monthly B12 shots for this because she said that serum levels weren't the best indicator and she doesn't like to see them below 500...unfortunately my new doctor won't prescribe shots if the level is over 200. Luckily I had a vial from the old doc. After 6 months gluten free I can now go close to two months without a shot. I do take the sublingual nightly as well!

[frieze]

level needs to over 500. The sublinguals are mainly absorbed in the gut, through swallowing...therefore should be taken on an empty stomache, that is 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Good luck

[ravenwoodglass]

level needs to over 500. The sublinguals are mainly absorbed in the gut, through swallowing...therefore should be taken on an empty stomache, that is 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. Good luck

Actually the sublinguals should not be swallowed or you defeat their purpose. They need to be held in the mouth under the tongue or between cheek and gums until they are totally dissolved. The B12 goes into the blood stream directly through the mucous membranes in the mouth bypassing the damaged gut. You shouldn't eat anything while they are in your mouth but after they have disolved you can eat or drink.

[frieze]

Actually the sublinguals should not be swallowed or you defeat their purpose. They need to be held in the mouth under the tongue or between cheek and gums until they are totally dissolved. The B12 goes into the blood stream directly through the mucous membranes in the mouth bypassing the damaged gut. You shouldn't eat anything while they are in your mouth but after they have disolved you can eat or drink.

actually, minimal amounts are absorbed sublingually....most is swallowed with saliva....hence the need to have an empty stomache..