Hi. I've been told to try adding vitamin b or b-complex to help with my elevevated cortisol. Looked online and there are a ton of different mixes to sort through. Stuff affects me easily, so looking for the most b's with the lowest dosage. How much do you take? Any brand found to work better than others? I'm a little weary since my vitamin d fiasco. Someone on this site kindly explained the different types of vitamin d supplements. I apparently had chosen the wrong one and my already low D got lower till my ND gave me a "clinical" brand in "super" dosages of the good kind of D. Thanks for any thoughts!

jdog,

I am no expert, that is for sure, but I use a B-50 complex. And not sure of the brand. I know there are also B75 and B100 complexes out there. I know a lot of people swear by the Bs as they are so good for stress. If a person is ever admitted into the hospital and is a known drinker or drug abuser the first thing they get is a vit B intervenous. Any kind of stress, whether it is emotional, physical, mental, substance abuse uses up the B's and they need replacing.

I find this whole peri/meno thing is stressful...not to mention the stress of everyday life...so B's are important for us.

I would be interested in hearing about the Vit D experience you had. I live in the north and we should all take Vit D as we don't get enough sunshine.

Thanks
Floater

Thanks for the info. I'm going to pick some up very soon! Any relief I can get!

Somewhere on this site there is a string about it, but I'm sorry I can't remember where it is! My D was checked shortly after my system spazzed last March. I was told it was a little low and to take 800 iu daily and try and get outside more. I did, and when I got retested a few months later, my D had plummeted! Ended up getting high dosage stuff from my ND (was taking 4000iu a day). The type of 'D' ingredient was different (the drugstore had one type and the stuff from the ND a another) Retest a month or so ago and it has come up (barely) into normal range, so my ND has me still taking at least 2000iu daily and a retest soon will hopefully show I'm better in the clear. She also said that the official daily requirement, especially for folks in nothern areas, will soon be higher, at least during winter months.

Just to update...after speaking with my ND again, she mentioned just b5 and b6. After doing some more research (after another weekend of feeling AWFUL) am going to try the food route. Found a couple lists of B5 and B6 rich foods, so will see how that goes. I'm wonder, because of the vitmain D (which I found out dropped again!) how many other things are deficient. Have found commonalities in researching...toomuch progesterone and/or estrogen and prior intestinal problems. HMMMMMMM

Good to know. I'll have to get my butt to the store soon!!

Just a quick update. found some 25mg vit b6 and started that yesterday. Have been having a 'head-full' feeling, but not sure if its from the b or my hormones, since it started a bit the 2nd day of my period. I've been having a REALLY tough time with this cycle. I've been sick alot and hate it

reviving this old post...
I had problems taking b complex, took 100mgs, I am naturally low key, 100 mgs had me feeling like I was on speed, I was talking outloud nonstop to myself while reading the newspaper, felt jittery, etc.
I tried 50 mgs and was getting elevated blood pressure readings, I bought each b vitamin separately and tried taking one at a time and adding a new one each day, I had no problems with b1, b2, b3 and b6,
folic and b 12, the only one I never added was b5, I think that one was causing the problems, I keep reading that b5 is good for adrenal fatigue, I also read it can increase your heart rate, I have been afraid to take it but I feel like I have classic adrenal fatigue symptoms and it might benefit me, but dont want to feel like im on speed.

jdog ans spicy d

I have adrenal fatigue and high afternoon and night time cortisol levels and my alternative Dr. immediately knew to give me a B12 sublingual vitamin with folic acid 'drops' on each one....I was very skeptical about the dosage....he asked me to take 2 at each meal and each one has 2,000mcg in (so, adding that up I take 6 x 2,000mcg = 12,000mcg or 20mg)...I thought for sure I would have a strange side effect ....but I have none....he said I shouldn't have any at all, and I guess he's right!

I take one by 'Perque' and its called 'Active B12 Guard sublingual' (goes under the tongue).

They aren't cheap (I got some off the internet for $24...he sold me them for $36!) but I believe they are worth the extra money...I did buy some real cheap ones from Trader Joes, but they weren't good.

I also take 'Drenamin' an adrenal glandular support and 'organically bound minerals' which I mainly take at night to help me sleep (I have just started this and as of the last 2 nights I have slept through the night!).

I feel like I am on the right path now....I will report on my progress on the adrenal fatigue thread!

Caz

I take B-50 once per day and have for years. The pharmacist told me B's should not be taken separately if possible, they work better together. You will be able to tell if you are taking too much as you will get skin tingles and chillbumps.
Start small and work up.

Go to a good health food store in your area. They are usually know quite a lot and are most helpful. B's do work better when taken together so ask for one that is a B complex. I take it in liquid form as I have a hard time swallowing large pills. B's need to be replenished, especially during times of stress, change, etc. Follow the directions on the bottle or suggestions by your health care provider or the health food person. I agree, start slowly and work up - don't overdo right away. Also they are finding that Omega3's are excellent for depression, anxiety, heart, etc. That you can also find in liquid form as those pills can be huge. My health store owner told me that flax seed oil is even better, so I take some of both. Combine those with a good mulit vitamin. One other note - B's can make your urine very yellow so don't let that concern you.

Dor

Hi Dor...

glad this post was revived as I just bought a 'high potency'B-100 the other day from Trader Joe's (yeh, I'm cheap, they only cost $3.99 for 50 @ 1 a day!) and it has the following:

(it is a 'sustained release' form?!)

Thiamin - 100mg (6667%)
Riboflavin - 100mg (5882%)
Niacin - 100mg (500%)
B6 - 100mg (5000%)
Folate - 400mcg (100%)
B12 - 100mcg (1667%)
Biotin - 100mcg (33%)
Pantothenic Acid - 100mg (1000%)
Calcium - 100mg (10%)
(plus propriety blend of inosotol, choline bitartrate, alfalfa powder, parsley powder, rice bran and watercress powder)

I could have picked up the B-50 which was exactly half the dosage, but it was the same price!...they also had B-complex with less daily values and was much more $...don't understand that one.

Well, I have taken it for 5 days now and my insomnia has improved- don't know if it has anything to do with it -, and I don't seem to be having any side effects otherwise, so I obviously need a high dose.

I too have high nightime cortisol levels and am suffering from adrenal probs.

I also take a good Omega EFA/DHA supplement and two doses daily of 'emergen-c' (2,000mg daily).

BTW Dor, I heard that 'Krill Oil' is better still....

Yes, my urine is very yellow too!

Caz