Metformin, B12, and RNY
Maybe I'm the last to know, but it's been demonstrated that metformin (an oral diabetes drug) interferes with vitamin B12 absorption. It seems to interfere with B12 even when the vitamin is taken sublingually. I want to ask a pharmacist, or someone here who knows, if it matters if sublingual B12 is taken together with metformin or if they should be taken spaced apart in time.
I think many of us are still on metformin after our RNYs, so we should be sure to get our B12 levels checked. In addition, 1,200 mg of calcium carbonate daily reduces the effects of metformin on vitamin B12.
I assume we're all taking our calcium and our B12. Do you think we need even more calcium and extra B12 if we have an RNYed digestive tract and take metformin????
I don't know about the metformin and B12. Your pharmacist may know. I just wanted to mention that most RNY folks don't take calcium carbonate, since we can't absorb it due to lack of stomach acid. We should all be taking calcium, but that should be calcium citrate, not carbonate. And yes, we should be getting our B12 checked reguarly. It needs to be absolutely above 550, preferrably around 1000.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Oh, right. Thanks. So is calcium citrate, which we take, also helpful in preserving B12 absorption? I see my dietician tomorrow, but I doubt if she'll know. Perhaps she will research it for me. Time to speak with my friendly local pharmacist.
I feel worried in retrospect about being on metformin for years without consistently supplementing B12 and calcium.
I don't know the answer to that. Have you had your B12 tested lately?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
It's hard to take too much of it. usually people pee out what they don't need. As far as how often to take it, that depends on the dose you're taking.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
