How Much B12 Should I Take With An Iron Supplement?

A condition called anemia, or a low number of red blood cells, can be caused by a number of underlying conditions, including a deficiency of iron or vitamin B12. Symptoms of anemia include tiredness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Sometimes iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies happen at the same time, requiring you to take both supplements to cure your anemia. Always consult your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

Vitamin B12

The body uses vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, for many important functions. According to the Mayo Clinic, the body needs vitamin B12 to produce healthy nerve and red blood cells, and to make vital DNA inside your cells. You can absorb vitamin B12 from animal products like meat, fish and dairy, or by taking supplements. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms per day.

Iron

Like vitamin B12, the body uses iron to make healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to the tissues. Depending on your dietary routine, you may need to take an iron supplement to meet your RDA for iron. Although the amount or iron a person needs depends on age, gender, and other special factors, an average male adult needs about 10 milligrams per day.

Routes of Administration

Iron supplements are typically taken orally. Iron supplements often cause stomach irritation, so doctors recommend taking them with a meal. As of 2010, vitamin B12 can be administered in pill form or, in some cases, if the levels measured in blood tests are especially low, a doctor might choose to give intramuscular injections.

Vitamin B12 and Older Adults

According to the Mayo Clinic, people above the age of 50 may experience difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 efficiently from their food, so they would require between 25 to 100 micrograms per day to make sure that they receive the full benefit of the supplement.

Warning

Make sure to consult a health care professional before starting any supplements. Increases in vitamin B12 or iron levels can lead to misleading results on blood tests and result in a misdiagnosis of health issues. Additionally, the safest dosage amount for your physical needs for should be determined by a physician, since overdosing on either supplement can be dangerous.