B12/Folic Acid and D3/K2 Supplementation

If there is an ongoing issue with low B12 surely there is an argument for maintenance dosages to keep levels within normal limits.

 

Yes of course, but what has that to do with the discussion?
If levels are low and there are recognised clinical features of low B12 supplementation is needed.
But the original post mentioned normal levels.

 

I was perhaps being pernickety, but I interpreted your statement as intending a general principle that B12 should never be supplemented if current levels are within normal levels, whereas there is the exception if you have good reason to anticipate supplementation is necessary to prevent the individual going into deficit then supplementation is appropriate though current levels are within a normal range.

 

No, it means what it says. Lots of teenagers get spots/zits/acne when they reach puberty. For most people the problem wears off by the time they are about 18 - 20. Mine did slightly improve but they never went away completely. It's embarrassing to have teenage spots at 30 or 40 or 50.

 

The big metabolic studies would have picked up B12 deficiency so it seems that none of the participants had it. Also, B12 deficiency results in pernicious anemia so, if deficiency was relevant, there would be a lot of people presenting with anemia - they're not.

 

I'd be interested to know why B12 was prescribed. The reference test was Methyl Malonic Acid, which increases when you're deficient in B12, but even the standard B12 tests should be OK.

 

Discussion moved from the long covid in the media thread

A male relative of ours, in his mid 30s, tested positive for Covid 19 Sat 19 March. Fully vaccinated, all three. Was very poorly for nearly a week, dreadful cough and feeling dreadful. After clearing the virus, then pretty exhausted. The similarities to my wife's ME/CFS pretty marked. At this point now, he is significantly better, with cough progressively improving. Still runs out of energy very quickly, which is no big surprise.

Had a chest x-ray, results not back yet.

Blood test apparently shows a very low level of folic acid - I don't know the actual reading. Is this likely to be a consequence of the covid? Or is it more likely coincidental, something that may have been brewing anyway? Or are there any known links with low folic acid and covid?

 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1887065/

Low folate status and immune function
Has vit D been checked too?

 

His doctor is pretty good I think, so I imagine it would have been included, but I can check.

 

Here vit D is part of a bone profile ( ricketts strikes again) , so it may not be as obvious as it may seem.

 

There is also a form of anemia linked to inflammation - common in chronic illness but also post infection .
How are iron levels ?
See thread
https://twitter.com/user/status/1466491046875918336

 

If he had been ill and not eating much that might be relevant to a low folate level but I doubt it has anything to do with the Covid, or vice versa. We have just had our second Covid after three jabs and it is pretty draining - now nearly three weeks in.

I don't think all the stuff about anaemia and vitamins and chronic infection are relevant to an acute viral infection of this sort.

 

merged thread
Cyanocobalin 1000mcg without nasty stuff?

My doctor wants me to be on this but can anyone recommend one I can buy in the UK that doesn't have maltodextrin etc.?

A liquid would be ideal.

 

Oh! Answered my own question:

https://www.metabolics.com/vitamin-b12-cyanocobalamin.html

This is just water plus cyanocobalamin. Brilliant!

 

Merged thread
A list of conditions that could be diagnosed when the real problem is B12 deficiency.

It includes ME.

https://www.b12deficiency.info/misdiagnosis/

Just for info - a list of B12 deficiency symptoms :

B12 Deficiency : Signs and symptoms

and a list of folate deficiency symptoms :

Folate (B9) Deficiency - B12 Deficiency

 

@Arnie Pye

Have you see the thread I posted here

 

No I hadn't. I don't actually suffer from B12 Deficiency or Pernicious Anaemia myself so I forgot to see what else was on the forum on the subject. I just thought it might be of interest to somebody.

 

The paper also includes iron deficiencies.

 

I do not appear to suffer from a B12 deficiency, at least taking more does not improve things, and I would appear to have too much iron (inferred from my ferritin level). It is something I considered a 'while' back.