Question:
B-12 - what is the real deal
Hi there - I'm 5 weeks post-op and on this site I've read some confusing things with regard to B-12. I've read that you don't want to overdo it (so what is overdoing?). I've read to wait awhile before taking it. Currently, I am taking 4 Flintstones Complete which has "6mcg" included. I also bought the under-the-tongue one from Trader Joes. The one from TJs is great - no taste at all. Since I am so new out of surgery with low energy, I want to start doing something about it. All advice is welcome. Thanks! — Donya P. (posted on September 1, 2003)
September 1, 2003
Hi, I am now 7 mths post op from lap rny and I was always told from my
surgeon to get a b12 shot of 1200 mgs. once a mth from him or my family
doctor and that should be ebough for me. But some ppl do it differently.
Some take supplements and you can get that at any citamin store or drug
store, you just have to take alot to get enough in. So that is why I do the
shot thing once a mth. But you need to have it done for the rest of your
life I was told. It helps out with energy and something to do with your
liver. So it is just up to you how you want to take, ask your surgeon, he
should go over that with ya! Good Luck to You!
— Melodee S.
September 1, 2003
Hi, you're gonna get alot of different responses to this question; I think
all of our doctors have different requirements. The one thing we all have
in common is that we have to take it for the rest of our lives! I got the
B-12 sublinguals from GNC and take one a week. Or I was told I could do
monthly B-12 injections from my doc. I personally prefer the pills. I
actually started taking them before surgery to get used to taking them.
Your best plan of action would be to call your surgeon/nutritionist to find
out what THEY want you to do. Good Luck!
— Moysa B.
September 1, 2003
My surgeon recommended Gastric Bypass patients take the B-12 shot monthly.
First shot was given to me at my 2 week check up. I much prefer the shot!
My insurance covers it 100%, also. Just had my 6th month lab work done 2
weeks ago and all was great! Good Luck! Lap RNY... 2/11/03...250/160/145
— Hazel S.
September 1, 2003
My surgeon is the one a week sublingual kind. When I was about 2 months
out I asked about taking more as I did not have energy etc. and his comment
was it wouldn't do anything. Not what I had typically found from the
reading I did, but I didn't increase it. However, at the last support
group the bariatric nurse said that they have increased it to up to 3 times
a week if you are feeling run down etc. She said the dieticians have
pushed this but that the docs are still unsure if it is necessary. I think
it really varies by person how much they need. My labs look great one the
once a week. The shots would be all right except I do not want to have to
make a trip to the doctor or nurse once a month to get it. The pills are
simple and cheap.
<p>I assume you were directed to take the 4 childrens vitamins. I
take 1 twice a day and that's typically what I have heard is prescribed.
They are called children's vitamins but they are the same as the adult ones
as far as content, it's just that the child's dose is actually half a pill.
Tell me how you break a flintstone or rugrat in half evenly. LOL
— zoedogcbr
September 1, 2003
Hmm-4 Flinstones? I take one, as the previous poster stated they actually
have the same or better percentages than adult vitamins. B12-some get
monthly shots, some go for the sublingual. When I first had surgery my
surgeon/nutritionist recommendation was 1 sublingual per week. However,
after attending the ASBS conference in Boston they said very strong
evidence was presented suggesting that the b12 should be increased to twice
weekly. I'm not sure I understand it, but I don't think the b12 in your
flinstones will be absorbed by your body. Something about our new pouch
and we can't take pill b12. It is also my understanding that a problem
with b12 wouldn't necessarily show up in early blood tests until damage has
been done. So it is important to take it right away. I was told to start
week 2. One more thing-I think I read somewhere that your body only
absorbs as much as it needs, so too much b12 really isn't too big a
problem. But that last bit of info could be wrong.
Good luck Lynda ME/FL
— [Deactivated Member]
September 1, 2003
B12 is a water soluable vitamin- you can not overdose onit- your body just
elimates the excess. My surgeon recommends the sublingual dots- 1 x a
week. I occasionally take more than that- You should contact your MD as to
his protocol~~ we can only advise, the professional opinion should come
from your doctor-
— ~~Stacie~~
September 1, 2003
My nutritionist said sublingual 1000 mcg every other day. The pills I
bought were 2500 mcg, so she said take one every fourth day or so. I can
tell a HUGE difference in my energy level when I take these. I don't feel
like I'm on caffeine, I just don't feel like my butt is dragging (like when
I don't take it). I have a copay when I see my doc, so unless the nurse
administers it for free and I'm just paying for the med, I think I'll stick
with the pills.
— bethybb
September 1, 2003
I was also told to take FOUR Flintstones. Think about it. A child takes
one a day so we adults need two just for a dose and I am supposed to have a
"dose" in the morning and at night. Makes four flintstones.
— Delores S.
September 1, 2003
I was told by my surgeon that the part of the intestines that absorbs B-12
is removed during surgery. So your body does not get any of this vitamin
from food. That is why there is a need to take the B-12 for the rest of
your life.
Deb
— Debra W.
September 1, 2003
I take sublingual B-12 twice a month and my levels are still running high.
I'm cutting back to once a month. It is confusing as to why it runs high.
— susanje
September 1, 2003
Delores-My nutritionist said they used to recommend 2 flinstones, til they
held a bottle of flinstones and a bottle of centrum adult and saw that they
are the same or above nutritionally. My daughter suggested that maybe it
was because kids are growing they need more than adults. Anyway, regarding
docs not going with what the nutritionists say. Docs are docs and
nutritionists are educated in nutrition.
Lynda ME/FL
— [Deactivated Member]
September 1, 2003
No matter what or how much your doctor &/or nutritionist tells you to
take of any vitamin/mineral, get a copy of your labs each time you have
them. You need to track for trends up or down and adjust accordingly.
Most docs only look to see if everything is in the normal range, but
anything could be dropping steadily (iron is notorious for this after years
#3 and #4), and you'd never know it until it's in the toilet. Just
remember, one size does not fit all. Some people do great with sublingual
B-12's, others need shots. Some do great with OTC iron, others end up
needing infusions. We're all different, so although nutritionists tell you
what to take initailly, it won't necessarily be exactly what you really
need. We have to be our own health care advocates, so watch your own labs.
— Leslie F.
September 1, 2003
My surgeon prescribes Trinsicon, to be taken twice daily, basically for the
rest of our lives...it contains the forms of B-12 and iron most absorbable
by WLS patients, as well as Intrinsic factor (something needed to absorb
nutrients, which our stomachs no longer produce post-op), and Vit. C. From
testimonials from the support group I attend, only 1 person has ever had
their blood levels drop while taking triniscon, whereas I've heard of many
people taking sublingual and shots being concerned about their levels...I'm
not saying they are bad, just that this supplement seems to take the
guesswork out of it, and seems to have worked very well for a large number
of people. I take the two trinsicon daily in addition to two flintstones,
three 500mg calcium citrates, and 2 actigall (for gallstone prevention).
(as well as other meds, but most WLS wouldn't need those). If you have
difficulty knowing what to take, you may want to review your meds with your
surgeon, and possibly ask for a prescription for Trinsicon (you can also
check the library for more information that what I've given you, if you're
interested).
— Kelly B.
September 1, 2003
Trinsicon is one of the 3 good irons for us, the others being Chromagen
Forte and Niferex. However, after 3-5 years, it doesn't matter what you
take, some people's levels just drop. Sometimes switching irons helps,
other times, infusions are necessary. It doesn't happen that way for
everyone, but it's common enough to be aware of it, and always check your
own labs. Join the Grad list on Yahoo, and you'll see what I mean.
— Leslie F.
September 1, 2003
My pulmonologist made a comment the other week that surprised/concerned me
some. He asked what supplements I was taking and I told him. When I got
to the B-12 he said good because it actually takes 2 years for our iron
stores to drop and therefore it was important to be taking the B-12 now.
My surgeon does not tell us to take iron and evaluates that on an
individual basis. But if the drop in iron doesn't truly show up for 2
years I wonder if I should be taking iron now. Any thoughts on this one?
I also do not toally understand the link between the B-12 and iron so if
someone can enlighten me I would appreciate it. I think I will discuss
this with my internist at my physical in Nov and get his take on it also.
— zoedogcbr
September 1, 2003
I was searching the web tonight and came across a site www.bariblend.com
It has some impressive research and doctor backing. they have lots of good
info on the various vitamins. Lynda ME/FL
— [Deactivated Member]
September 1, 2003
Chris, yes, our bodies store enough B-12 for a couple of years. The
problem is that when (or if) a shortage shows up, it's often too late,
damage has been done. As for the relationship between B-12 and Folic acid,
I'm not sure, but I believe they probably aid in iron absorption because
the good 3 iron supps all contain them. Vit C should also be taken with
iron (also aids in absorption). Some surgeons don't initially have their
patients take iron, but because we don't know how well our own bodies will
absorb anything, we must watch our own labs.
— Leslie F.
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