Can I/should I push for B12 injections?

[ChipInTheSugar]

My B12 was 40 something in July. I've taken supplements, and changed my diet to incorporate a lot more b12-rich foods.

Had bloods done again a couple of weeks ago - it's now 196. "Normal" range according to the paperwork starts at 187. I can't find out info on how fast it can/should increase.

But I'm still SO brain-fogged. I constantly forget things, can't follow a knitting pattern any more, forget words, feel like I don't have the mental capacity to read slightly more complicated things etc. Went to an ehcp meeting last week and couldn't put my point across as I used to be able to do.

Would B12 injections help with these symptoms? And would I be justified asking for them?

I wouldn’t necessarily push for injections, but I would go back to the GP about the difficulty with concentrating.

Are you still taking the tablets?

Yes, and continuing with a healthier diet.

YES please push for injections and ask for tests for pernicious anaemia.

That level is still too low- I get symptomatic at 250.

It should be much higher if you've been taking supplements and a healthy diet for 5 months.

Please push, they need to treat you if you're symptomatic!

How was your folate level?

Could the brain fog be related to needing hrt? There are problems with hrt stock but when I took it it really helped my brain fog

You can buy the B12 injections cheaply from various European countries over the counter. There are several German pharmacies that also sell online. You do have to be comfortable with self injecting.

I wouldn’t buy the injections online. If you are still symptomatic then that needs to be evaluated by your GP, in case there’s an underlying reason eg you’re not absorbing the B12 properly. Equally the problems concentrating could have a different cause, like pp said the menopause/perimenopause is a big problem for a lot of women.

I really would just go back to your GP and see what they suggest.

I bought B12 stickers off amazon, 7.99 got my levels up fast and I wore 2 stickers at a time on my earlobes, energy levels improved in a couple of days.

Yeh, I would ignore the suggestion of injecting yourself with drugs bought online 😂

Don't buy them online OP. Jesus.

If you're taking oral supplements and they've improved your levels then it may be difficult to persuade your GP of injections but you can try. I would ask for an Intrinsic factor antibodies test.

I have recently had the loading dose of b12 Injections and now will be having them every three months. They haven't changed anything at all for me anyway OP, i feel the same. GP is adamant it can take up to 6 months to a year once normal levels are achieved to feel different though . It's by the by but the b12 injections gave me horrible acne which is only just clearing months later, and has left scars. Apparently this is fairly common but still. Dreading having the top up 3 monthly dose now!

Plenty of clinics offer B12 injections privately. Near me it's £30.

I would get the privately (not buying online), if your body doesn’t need it then you will just wee it out. At least you will know one way or the other if it will work for you

Bacon I got terrible acne with my loading doses too but have been fine with the top ups, so hope you will be as well.

My deficiency symptoms eased after the second loading dose of 6. It was amazing.

vitamin d and prebiotics and probiotics helped my brain fog within about 2 weeks of starting supplements

It’s worth noting that the “clinics” offering private infections are often run by beauticians who have done a one day course in giving injections. They aren’t healthcare professionals and a lot of them look pretty dodgy so I really wouldn’t go down that route.

Are you taking a multivitamin as well as B12? There is something else you have to have enough of or the B12 doesn't work.

Can't remember what though, sorry.

I have B12 injections. Yes bad acne. Fun. At first I really noticed when I needed a new injection, after a year or 2 I don't notice too much.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm on hrt patches - have been for about 8 years. Good shout about taking a multi vitamin alongside the B12, I'll pick some up tomorrow. I've tried the b12 patches before and didn't feel they made any difference tbh.

If I can find somewhere reputable and local that does the injections I'm tempted to give that a go. I promise I won't be buying anything online

The private clinics are a complete rip off. B12 is extremely cheap (1 euro per vial). You can buy the injections in high street pharmacies in many European countries, eg Germany. It's no different than doing IVF injections. People don't go into their IVF clinics every day for their injections. You pick up the medicines and do it yourself at home.

For B12, you are actually buying from reputable and regulated high street pharmacies. They aren't dodgy internet only non brand medicine sellers.

Any excess B12 is eliminated via your urine. That's why there are loads of non medical places offering it here in the UK. You should also take folic acid (if your diet is low in that) with the injections or else it won't be absorbed properly.

Other vitamins are dangerous to overdose on (eg vitamin D) and that is why you have to get a blood test by a medic before taking high doses that are not available over the counter.

I paid a lot more than £30 for my private jabs (although I am in central London so appreciate it may be cheaper elsewhere). After 2 jabs I just looked up the brand on the information leaflet that came with the jab that they gave me to take home and felt that I had been completely conned. I was most surprised to find that it is available over the counter in other European countries.