To want B12 treatment?

[Chryst]

So my B12 levels have been dropping over the past few years. I’m now suffering from many B12 deficiency symptoms including hair loss, headaches, tingling limbs and absolute exhaustion. I mean I have no energy at all. I’m barely functioning.

My B12 level is now 163 and dr says it’s “normal”. Anything under 155 is deficient.

I just want treatment for it, I’ll pay for it! I just want to feel normal again!

I'm sorry you feel so rubbish - I've been there. But as far as I can understand, the GP is treating you in line with the NICE guidance.
So yes if you want further treatment you probably will have to pay for it.

A lot of aesthetics companies will offer it for a reasonable amount. Worth looking into

Get a private GP appt for £40 and have them prescribe you B12 injections then go to Superdrug and have them done!

I suffer with b12 deficiency and get treatment. You do know if you overload it can be very dangerous?

I feel for you. Mine is 133 and GP is saying it’s not low enough for treatment. Even though the range is 145 - 900 🙄. I can’t afford to go private but it’s awful. I’m so tired all the time. Experiencing so many other symptoms but the exhaustion is something else entirely!

Try taking some orally over the counter first?

My GP won’t even test my B12. I just get told that “it’s only an issue with vegans and some vegetarians”.

This is completely wrong. It is a known issue as people age and digestion is less efficient. Also an issue for people with digestive conditions such as coeliac.

I was prescribed it after blood tests showed it was low but not out of range. I knew it would have been tested on a regular basis due to an underlying condition so asked for the previous test results. The previous tests all showed it dropping and a very obviously downward trajectory, that was enough to convince GP to prescribe.

The patches you can get on Amazon work quite well ime.

Your gp is an idiot.

Some people have pernicious anemia and cannot process it.

Some medications can also affect b12.

Id print out info from NHS site and question the gp about it.

Do you take tablets for it? When my B12 was really really low, I had to take the highest strength tablet for 2 weeks and have another blood test before they would give me the injections. The injections aren’t nice - you have to have one almost every other day for two weeks and then every three months for a year.

A lot of aestheticians offer B12 injections but they are like £100/£150 each.

Try some high dose methylated vit b12 off Amazon. I have read that they are trying to switch people from injections to high dose tablets.

They are about, £30 per injection in the aesthetics places around here that do them definitely worth it!

Assume you've already tried supplementing and that didn't work? (Solgar B12 is the same price as a prescription charge, it made a big difference to my levels).

HideTheCroissants · Today 07:56

My GP won’t even test my B12. I just get told that “it’s only an issue with vegans and some vegetarians”.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian but can't absorb b12 so have NHS injections (and private top ups as I don't feel every 3 months is enough)

Mine dropped over a period of several years causing all the symptoms you described. Was taken seriously when it affected my balance, i kept walking into doorways as when i turned i couldn't stay upright. Bit embarrassing. It also affected my speech as my brain to mouth connection went to pot.

My levels were around 200 at that point. B12 deficiency can cause long term problems inc nerve damage - i have this - and really needs to be treated.
My treatment was 'loading' doses - 5 injections given in quick succession. This bought my levels up to a decent point. I then received a B12 injection every 3 months, for a couple of years. My local health authority then changed guidance & the injections were stopped - my GP recommended i try a high dose sublingual tablet - I take Solgar 1,000 - and these have maintained my B12 level well.
In your shoes i would push for the loading injections (could you go private if necessary?) - 163 is very low, NICE guidelines be damned, it's making you ill - then try the Solgar or similar.

I despair when i hear GPs claiming it's only a problem for some vegetarians/vegans. Some people can't absorb B12 through their stomach lining & no amount of eggs or red meat etc in their diet will change that. It needs prompt treatment.

I've had this for years now and need injections every three months as my body doesn't absorb it. I'm not vegan or veggie it's just one of those things. Long term it can cause neurological damage if not treated soon enough. I'd be getting a second opinion. It could be you can take the tablets or you just need what's called a 'loading dose' - which is a few injections in quick succession to bring your levels up and then you'll be fine.

I have pernicious anaemia but since lockdown our GP surgery has stopped doing B12 Injections, instead telling people to try high strength tablets.

I find the tablets don't work for me so I order the B12 injections from Germany (they're available freely in chemists there) and self inject. Last time I ordered them it was about €18 for 10. I normally use 1 or 2 a month.

@RulaCabula would you be able to share the link?

Meant to say - B12 is water soluble so any excess is excreted through urine.

My sister's GP said she couldn't have B12 injections because her iron was good. Check this out before you start getting injections from a bleedin' aesthetician!

Aesthetics practitioners do B12 injections in my area for £20.
If you know you're low then it might be something worth looking into.

They’ve reduced the cut off over the last few years. DD’s levels were around 150 the first time and gp authorised 5 initial injections. Now we think they are lower but go refuse to divulge or say they don’t know just that they’re fine and she pays to have them done privately. A few Botox style beauty clinics offer them and you don’t need the initial test it’s just around £40 a go.

Have you been taking oral supplements over the time your levels have been dropping? What kind of treatment were you looking for? B12 injections suitable for pernicious anaemia or those who can’t absorb it but absolutely would be buying myself some supps OTC in first instance.

I have pernicious anemia causing B12 deficiency. There is no cure.

In good old days people died from b12 deficiency as it causes heart attacks, strokes and permanent paralysis if not treated. I wish people would take it seriously and not treat as an inconvenient deficiency.

What is the cause of your b12 deficiency?

U cannot absorb b12 through tablets if you have an underlying reason such as PA as u haven't got the intrinsic factor.

B12 is only vitamin that we have to process in our bodies in a different way using the intrinsic factor.

There is a really great Facebook page for b12 deficiency and PA sufferers with a wealth of information.

If u are still symptomatic (IE neurological issues are the tingling in hands and feet) after injections the nice guidelines say that the GP has to keep treating the b12 deficiency.

B12 deficiency causes nerve damage and needs to be treated seriously.

Find out what is causing yours and join that Facebook page is my suggestion as they will help navigate you through this .