B12 and the Thyroid
The B vitamins and especially B12 are important in Thyroid health. This is because low B12, lessons the conversion of T4 to T3.
There is a high prevalence of B12 deficiency in Hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s patients, with up to 40% of hypothyroid patients being deficient. This may be because low thyroid hormone is likely to make the absorption of B12 from food or supplements less effective. This is because thyroid hormones determine our digestive metabolism.
B12 deficiency symptoms
B12 helps with energy production and low levels may lead to:
• Tiredness / Fatigue
• Shortness of breath.
• Inability to do exercise like you once did.
• Brain fog / confusion / memory problems.
• Pins & needles / numbness (esp. legs/feet) / nerve damage (can be permanent).
• Worst case with pernicious anaemia and very low B12 – spinal cord damage, brain lesions and serious nerve damage.
• Balance / coordination / clumsiness.
• Hair loss.
• Mood changes / irritability.
• Depression.
• Diarrhoea.
• Almost any neurological problem from anxiety, panic to depression, because low B12 affects the red blood cells and the nervous system.
These symptoms are because B12 is used in the process of making good quality red blood cells. If B12 is too low, we cannot make the quality of red blood cells needed to carry oxygen around in the body. Sometimes, it affects the number of red blood cells produced and it can cause the ones that are made to die off early. Red blood cells are cycled within the body every 3-4 months, but they can die off and be recycled far sooner if B12 is low.
Vegans and vegetarians
Vegans and vegetarians are at greatest risk because it is only found in animal sources. I try to avoid meat and mistakenly thought Bee Pollen was a good source.
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is rich in protein, minerals, and B vitamins. However I have since found that it only contains traces of B12. Therefore if you are taking Bee pollen as a super food but have thyroid issues, you should take a B12 supplement too. It is best to get as many nutrients as possible through food sources, hence the Bee pollen, but sometimes supplementation is necessity. Especially when trying to support thyroid health.
Pernicious anaemia, Graves and Hashimoto’s
If you suffer from pernicious anaemia, B12 absorption is difficult. However, pernicious anaemia is often caused by H. Pylori, which can be treated effectively with homeopathy. H.pylori can also trigger Graves and Hashimoto’s, so if you have been diagnosed with H.pylori this might be a good time to seek homeopathic help, before it leads to any of these conditions.
Supplements
It is important to know that there are two types of B12 supplements. Synthetic and natural. The synthetic form of vitamin B12 is called Cyanocobalamin and the natural form of vitamin B12 is called Methylcobalamin, which should be used instead of the synthetic one. Cyanocobalamin actually has cyanide in it, which is a toxic substance, which will cause damage to the body system. But since Cyanocobalamin is one hundred times cheaper and has a much longer shelf life than the Methylcobalamin, it is used more widely.
Digestion and B12 absorption
You can take B12 supplementation and still have low levels of B12. This can be due to improper absorption. In the case of people with thyroid disorders, a B12 deficiency is often a result of damage to the digestive tract that prevents the absorption of vital nutrients. B12 is released for absorption with the help of hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) and protease, an enzyme in the stomach. Low levels of hydrochloric acid, commonly found in those with Hashimoto’s, put people at risk for B12 deficiency. Homoeopathy can help correct this.
Sibo
Another risk factor for B12 deficiency is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, commonly known as Sibo, which may be present in up to 50% of people with Hashimoto’s.
B12 homeopathic remedy.
Vitamin B12 does exist as a homeopathic remedy but it is not a constitutional remedy, as we would normally encounter in classical homeopathy. It is not a remedy, which you can use but more of a support remedy taken daily, as you would take a supplement. It does have certain themes running through it however and when studied a common theme emerges.
Themes of B12 remedy include:
Deep doubt about their right to exist.
Very driven
Positive mind
Never gives up
Many medical problems
Highly sensitive
Sub fertility issues
B12 can help to reconnect yourself with your divine spark
To sum up: someone in need of the B12 remedy is someone who is highly gifted (highly sensitive and highly conscious) but whose physical body is severely suffering or limiting them in reaching their true calling or purpose in life.
If these themes resonate with you, then I would probably consider prescribing this remedy for you as part of your homeopathic treatment plan, especially if there were thyroid issues. But if not, I would definitely recommend supplementing with B12 Methylcobalamin as it may go a long way to restoring your energy, cognitive function and overall sense of well-being.
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