Going back to the doctor to ask for more B12: what do I say?

[Katymac]

I have injections 12 weeks apart by about week 4 my symptoms are back

I'd be happy to pay for the B12, I'd be happy to inject myself (friend is a nurse who is happy to teach me)

But the doctor says no as I may overdose; but I can't help but feel that isn't true; I understand you can't test for it within 6 months of supplements

So are there any arguments I can use?

Do you have to have it injected? Can you not absorb the sublingual B12?

I have never heard of this! Surely it's a specialist subject?

What would happen if you took an overdose of Vitamin B12?

What is the failing in the body that means you can't get enough from dietary supplements?

I have IBS and possibly an absorption issue(but not PA)

I'd have to take loads of sublingual to match even one injection (I think) - it may be a placebo effect but when I started on the injections I got about 4/5 days and over a year it's gradually increased to 4 (ish) weeks & I didn't think placebos worked like that

Did you have the induction course of injections three times a weekend did they then check you levels.
I ask as if your liver levels have not been replenished and you only ever top up circulating blood levels these only gave a half life on 6 days.

No they did 1 a week for 6 weeks because they were worried I would have a reaction to it & then tested the following week

Hmm sounds like you have ultra cautious GP, I have self injected from day 1 with full induction course and was just advised to give first dose with other people present.
So where your levels right after 6 weeks? As once liver stores are replenished half life there is 400 days.

2000 ng/l - 6 days after the last injection

So your liver levels are restored as above 914ng/L. I suspect you are likely to get more, I have pernicious anaemia and have never got higher than 600ng/L.

Sorry Lonecatwithkitten I'm a bit fussy tonite - how do you mean?

Sorry not fussy, fuzzy

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? Common symptom is lack of vitamin B, and it is often misdiagnosed as IBS.
If you are coeliac you would need to follow gluten free diet, then your gut would heal and you would start to absorb nutrients again. However the diagnostic tests only work if you are eating gluten so dont start gluten free diet until after you are properly diagnosed.

In answer to your question I would ask dr if there is anything else you could do to improve symptoms, e.g. would supplements help, or find other foods to help absorb more vit b. I also thought you could not overdose on b because its water soluble, but you are probably on really high dose so perhaps it affects the kidneys rather than the liver. I think I read that high doses of vit c can cause kidney stones.

Yes both blood tests & biopsy showed negative

I am also taking Folate, Zinc & Vit D (on prescription) as I am low in all these