Question:
Is it okay to take B-12 as a pill instead of sublingual?

I tried to find sublingual but I am having no luck. My surgeon said that I should take one sublingual every 3 days. I can't find sublingual at either walgreens drug store or my local pharmacy. I will try and call GNC tomorrow but I am curious as to if I take b-12 every day by the pill( which by the way is very small and it is smaller than the other pills I take. Also my surgeon said I can take it every day or every third) do you think I would absorb enough? Any input is great. I will take the pill till I can find them or talk to the surgeons office. Thanks    — horserider0146 (posted on July 10, 2003)

July 10, 2003
Regular pills by mouth appear to work for many, according to my surgeon. My levels are better than pre op, and I take them by mouth. But use caution they dont work for everyone and get your labs done regurally. Other of Dr Schauers patiennts report they are fine too, but some need sublingual or shots. Do be careful.
   — bob-haller

July 10, 2003
We have to take it by injection or sublinqual (dissolve under tongue) because we don't absorb it orally any longer. I don't mind the taste, but am impatient about it dissolving. I take the GNC brand at every night, put it under my tongue and fall asleep. This works better for me. Good Luck!
   — ZZ S.

July 10, 2003
Bob - I have heard that it can take years for the reserves of B-12 in the body (it's stored in the liver) to be depleted to the point that it will causes pernicious anemia. By the way, people think that because B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that the excess is peed out. It is stored in the liver (think about it - beef liver is one of the highest animal food sources of B-12). I believe that it's the *only* B-vitamin that is stored in the liver...JR
   — John Rushton

July 10, 2003
I asked my surgeon that very question, and he said many do fine on regular pills. He has patients over 6 years out, and has over 2000 RNYers complete. I take 2 or 3 a day, and my levels are higher than pre op. EVERYONE must have their labs done on schedule. Most patients do fine on the standard protocal. But SOME need extra iron, and other issues come up. Not everyone is the same.
   — bob-haller

July 10, 2003
You should have good luck with GNC. That's where I got mine. You might also want to try Vitamin World or Vitaminworld.com. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

July 10, 2003
I got a prescription from my primary care doctor for the B-12 shots and started giving them to myself. The first time I did it I thought I was going to faint, but it's really very easy and it REALLY helps my energy level.
   — Betty Todd

July 10, 2003
Do you live near a Trader Joes? They carry them.
   — mrsmyranow

July 11, 2003
WALMART has sublinguil for sure. I just bought some there. Best of luck. I just had surgery on June 23, 2003, Open RYN, down 25 pounds. :):) Kathy
   — Kathy R.

July 11, 2003
I found a sublingual liquid at Wal Mart, but no pill. It's actually a B-Complex, but has the required amount of B-12. The brand I have is by Spring Valley.
   — Robin J.

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