vitamin B12 deficiency
It is interesting to know that many thyroid patients are deficient in vitamin B12. Any thyroid patient who suffers from low thyroid hormone, including those with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s, and those who have had a thyroidectomy are at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency is so common that B12 is recommended for almost all hypothyroid patients regardless of what the test shows.
why is vitamin B12 deficiency common among thyroid patients?
In fact, the thyroid helps to regulate important aspects of intestinal function, including intestinal motility and the amount of acid that the stomach produces (through their effect on certain cells in the stomach). Food digestion, but also the absorption of some nutrients, especially vitamin B12, becomes difficult, and this process causes vitamin B12 deficiency.
What is vitamin B12?
This vitamin is a water-soluble vitamin that is excreted through urine. Vitamin B12 is a very safe vitamin. Taking more vitamin B12 will not harm you because it is excreted through the kidneys, but you should not take too much vitamin B12.
How much vitamin B12 should you take for thyroid?
If vitamin B12 is not taken in sufficient quantities, it will not be of any benefit, and if the correct type of active B12 is not used, it may not help the patient. The type of vitamin B12 you take depends on the dosage.
It is not generally possible to say exactly how much vitamin B12 you should be taking, but here is some relevant information to help guide you.
Below is a guideline of how much vitamin B12 to take:
- Oral capsule – 400-1000 micrograms per day
- Sublingual B12 – 1000-5000 micrograms per day.
- Vitamin B12 injection – 5000 micrograms per week.
The dosage of vitamin B12 may vary depending on several factors, including whether there is a severe B12 deficiency or whether only a daily maintenance dose is needed.
What is the best form of vitamin B12 for hypothyroid patients?
The approved forms of vitamin B12 for thyroid patients are:
- Methylcobalamin
- Hydroxycobalamin
- Adenosylcobalamin
What is the best way to take vitamin B12?
By far the best way to get B12 for thyroid patients is by injection. Vitamin injections bypass the intestinal tract, where absorption problems occur, and go directly into your muscle tissue, where they can then circulate throughout your body.
According to researches, many patients who took oral vitamin B12 and did not get results improved by injecting it and this method worked for them.
How do we know that we have a B12 deficiency?
The best way is to know the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and get it checked.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency include:
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- hair loss
- Weight Gain
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Numbness/tingling
- Language changes
- Constipation
- heart beat
- Anemia
Since many of these symptoms can be masked by hypothyroidism, many people are tempted to check their serum B12 levels to test for vitamin B12 deficiency. But testing for vitamin B12 deficiency is not always accurate.
References:
https://www.restartmed.com/how-much-vitamin-b12-should-you-take-for-your-thyroid/
