Thought I was just lazy but I have a vitamin b12 deficiency!

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So I went to the doctor because I've had 3 early miscarriages and she took bloods and it turns out I'm deficient in vitamin b12 and now I have to go for injections 3 times a week! Anyone else have to get this done?

See if you're feeling tired all the time, it might not be because you have to get up early every day or because you're just a bit lazy so don't be like me! Go and see your doctor about it

So sorry about your miscarriages. I have b12 deficiency too. I had 6 initial loading doses over 2 weeks and then every 12 weeks, but unfortunately after 4-5 weeks all my symptoms were returning so I now have them every 4 weeks. This has given me my life back. I honestly thought I was dying before diagnosis. I couldn't believe a lack of one vitamin could make you feel so ill, but it did! Hope they help you to feel better.

Yes me!! Life changing diagnosis

I was diagnosed 12 years ago. I thought I was lazy as I used to sleep all weekend.
But I felt amazing after I'd had my first set of injections.
I settled having the injections every 10 weeks which keeps me topped up.

The injections three times a week for a couple of weeks are just a loading dose. I have my bloods taken every four weeks (for all macro and micro nutrients levels) and am fine with B12 shots every twelve weeks now.

walnut who do you use for getting your blood tested? (Assuming you do it privately)

@Bluebell9 yes! I'd sleep my life away if I could? But I have a kid so I have to force myself up and I thought well I can't be that tired then? But I was?

@Walnutwhipster yes I think it changes to 3 monthly after a bit. I am so grateful even for that at this stage. I can't get my first jab until next Monday and I'm desperate to feel normal again. It's been a very long time since I haven't been constantly tired. I've put on so much weight from eating sugar all the time looking for energy.

I've had a major organ removed so I dont absorb vitamins and minerals. It's done at my GPs every four weeks. I have iron infusions too and all the rest are liquid down a NJ tube.

I got diagnosed a couple of years ago. I felt awful.

I had my loading doses and was initially on 3 monthly injection after but that wasn’t frequent enough. So I’m on 8 weeks now and it still isn’t enough but I can’t get them down to 4 weekly without a referral to haematology and that’s like trying to see the Pope. I manage.

Also, check your folate is within range. I had to take 3mo of 5mg folic acid when having my initial b12 because it was low.

I was diagnosed about 5 years ago, was falling asleep sat up, too tired to do anything. Everyone thought I was lazy. Google 'B12 deficiency'. I had pretty much every symptom.

I've asked twice if my injections could be closer together, both times the docs have said 'no'. Every 3 months just isn't enough 😞 I'd say mine last 6-8 weeks.

Can you get enough through changing your diet? Which foods contain b12?

So apparently foods rich in b12 include : organ meat, clams, sardines, dairy, beef, salmon, trout and cereal because its furtif.

@halfwitpicker I have a B12 deficiency which is treated by regular injections. Like many others with this ( I have pernicious anaemia ) an autoimmune response means we can't absorb B12 through our diet do unfortunately that is not an option.

It’s not as simple as eating foods containing B12.
I have to get the injections too & diagnosis was brilliant ( was sleeping all weekend) but if you can’t absorb it injections are the only way,

Mine has got better so I have them every 12 weeks now

Mumsmurphy do you know why your doctor won't let you have the injections more frequently ? I know someone else who has the same problem. Her doctor seems to assume that she's idle and vegetarian neither of which is true.

Before injections were available, they used to make people eat raw liver.

I thought I had narcolepsy or some awful wasting disease - I was so relieved it was a B12 deficiency. Amazing how crap it makes you feel. B12 injections made me feel soooo much better!

I quickly noticed an improvement following the loading doses. I now have them done every 12 weeks. Tbh I struggle from about 9 weeks onwards but my drs are really good and are happy to do them at the 10 -11 week mark. I have crohns affecting the terminal ileum and so don't absorb vitamins.

I did have them but doctor also looked into why I was B12 defficient. Sometimes vegetarians have trouble getting enough B12 - I turned out to have ceoliac disease so worth working out why you are deficient.

So over the counter supplements aren't enough?

So over the counter supplements aren't enough?

They can be. It depends why you are deficient. If it's because you aren't getting enough in your diet then supplements will be enough. If you aren't able to absorb it enterally then you will need injections.

Lurleene has already explained that

we can't absorb B12 through our diet so unfortunately that is not an option.

Not everyone that is deficient has trouble absorbing it though.

Vegetarian diets can be deficient in B12 unless fortified foods are eaten, so in this case it is a dietary deficiency rather than an inability to absorb B12.

The diagnosis for me was life changing, I was constantly knackered, no amount of sleep ever helped. I have pernicious anaemia like PPs so I can't absorb it and need injections.

Cluster of injections at the start and then every 12 weeks, I'm getting my next one on Friday and I'm really starting to lag.

Yep Life changing!

I take mine more frequently maybe every 5-7 days - I reckon I have a absorbtion and a storage problem although since my op it has been better

check if the GP looked at your folate levels often they are low with B12 deficiency and need supplementing at the same time

You might want to check your Vitamin D too as that is often low and taking large doses can help