B12 Shots vs. Sublingual
John, Here’s what I had ‘already typed’ from the past… B-12------------------------------------------------------------------ Is absorbed differently than most vitamins. The Surest/most effective way of absorbing vitamin B12 After a gastric bypass is with monthly vitamin B12 injections, But this is not necessary unless you have a deficiency already. The recommended daily allowance is 6 mcg, But that is the amount that is to be absorbed. A higher dose is needed when taken sublingual. (Just "by mouth taking of tablets, WON"T Do It, They are not processed) (To be absorbed by the intestine, B12 MUST combine with intrinsic factor, [missing from process after Gastric By-pass] and its metabolism is interconnected with that of folic acid. The vitamin is necessary for the growth and replication of all body cells and the functioning of the nervous system. Deficiency of vitamin B12 causes pernicious anemia and other forms of megaloblastic anemia, and neurologic lesions.) However you choose to take Vitamin B12, You must take it daily for the rest of your life. Some people prefer getting a B12 shot once a month from their PCP. A second alternative is B12 lozenges or sublingual (under the tongue) B12 tablets. With these forms, the B12 is absorbed into your bloodstream through your mouth. Typical amounts in supplements range from 500 mcg to 5000 mcg. A 500 mcg or 1,000 mcg supplement daily is sufficient. If you get the 5000 mcg strength, 1 per week should be sufficient. You can find these at a vitamin specialty store or on the Internet. For info concerning B-12 deficiency? and some helpful informative links for B-12-:type: http://www.dietitian.com/vitaminb12.html http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/VitaminB12Cobalami ncs.html Now, My personal opinion? I don’t really have one. I haven’t tried it both ways. Only injection. I take a self-injection of B-12 once a month. It’s fast and easy, and completely picked up by my insurance. My doc recommends injection. There’s less chance of accidentally missing or forgetting a once a month occurrence. There’s No Doubt that the dosage has been successfully delivered. With Sub-lingual Vitamins? Acid / PH levels in the mouth at the time of consumption can case variations in absorption. With the shot? It’s There, no question. For an idea of what self-injecting entails?- Checkout - Injections / B-12 at-- http://qwls.editme.com/Irone
Others will have more reasons that the sub-lingual version works best for them. Best Wishes- Dx
My WLS doctors at Duke have never talked about weekly/monthly B-12 shots. They give your a single B-12 shot at your 6 and 12 month followups. They also recommend the 500mg sub-linguial B-12 pills as well if you want to suppliment. That has been my routine over the past 14 months and my blood work is always normal. They also recommend a complete multi-vitamin every day and the following info concerning calcium. "-Calcium must be a citrate form. -Must be chewable until 3 months after surgery, then you may take a regular tablet that can be swallowed in it's entirety. -You must take a total of 1200 mg of calcium per day. -Take no more than 500-600 mg every 4-6 hours for best absorption. -If you are on Iron supplements you must separate your iron supplement from your calcium by at least 2 hours."
