B12 injection

[JohnnyKarate]

I went to the doctors for blood tests and my B12 came back at 78. The doctor said this isn't that low and she told me to book in for one B12 injection the following week and then a second one in two months time. Everyone I spoke to has said I should be having loading injections but I am assuming as it's not that low I don't need as much initially.

So is it normal to just have one if the levels are not that low? Also does anyone know what level your B12 should be? I've googled it but confused myself as the figures are much higher than 78. I tried to speak to the doctor on the phone earlier but they just seemed really exasperated with me so I rushed the call and didn't feel I could call back.

My levels were just over 90 and considered to be very low. My GP gave me an injection there and then and I had my loading doses from there.

I would challenge them on this, with levels so low one dose won’t touch the sides as it’s a water soluable vitamin.

Also, what were your folate levels? It’s no good having b12 if your folate is low too.

Push to get this sorted ASAP.

Thanks Dragon. I will call them Monday. I was starting to wonder if 78 was actually very low as couldn't find anything online near to the number 78.

My folate levels were normal. They were very low last time I went, which is actually why I had my blood tested again to make sure my folate was okay now. But this time bloods came back with low B12 and high d dimer. Although apparently d dimer is nothing to worry about and can be high for a number of reasons. They don't think I have a blood clot or anything.

Mine was 67 and I got 6 loading then once every 12 weeks.

Okay I will definitely call on Monday. I'm sure there is probably some reason.

Mine were low. Can’t remember the number now and I had one injection then sublingual b12. Tablets. So it depends probably.

I didn't know you could get tablets. I will give them a call Monday just to double check. I just don't want to be a nuisance.

78 is definitely a low level, but the key thing is whether you have any symptoms related to it. Some people have low levels but don't feel so bad whereas some people can have levels of 500 and suffer from severe symptoms associated with it. That's because the test picks up the level of B12 in the blood but isn't an indication of how much is actually being absorbed.

If you can't get through your GP, there are other ways to get Vit B12, either orally or injections.

Thanks swingofthings I definitely have symptoms. Tired, lack energy to do basic things, have aches in my muscles, can't remember things from being told about it upstairs to then walking downstairs and forgetting. Which is unusual for me.

I just thought I possibly still had low folate so went back but folate is normal now. I take folate supplements everyday. I have bought some B12 ones too but haven't taken any yet.

If you google something like nhs b12 deficiency prescribing guidance and the name of your area you’ll find the local guidance. This is the first one I found on google as an example. Basically at 78 you should be having proper treatment. www.buryccg.nhs.uk/download/document_library/your-local-nhs/plans_policies_and_reports/medicines_optimisation/Treatment-vitB12-deficiency.pdf

Oh and unless you’re vegan or have a severely restricted diet it’s unlikely to be caused by diet. Although some medications can affect absorption.

Thanks Glitter really helpful. There was actually confusion from the receptionist when I booked my injection. She was adamant I had it wrong and I needed several injections over the course of a week. I left it with her and she called me a few hours later to confirm the doctor only wanted me to have one.

But weirdly when I had my injection yesterday the nurse administering it said to me that she really needed to teach said doctor how we prescribe B12 at this surgery.

I'm not a vegan or a veggie, I don't eat a lot of meat but have a fairly varied diet. Not on any medication either.

My b12 came back at 78 when I was pregnant. I just checked I was told ref range for normal was 171-771 so 78 is really low. I was on weekly b12 injections for 6 weeks - my mum who is a nurse and also had low b12 in pregnancy was shocked that I want getting them every other day for the first week and then weekly..
In my case I have birth 3 weeks later so didn't get them all and it resolved itself as low levels were caused by the pregnancy

You should be tested for pernicious anaemia really.

I had 5 loading doses followed by 12 weekly injections and mine was only 202 (although I was very symptomatic)

At 78 I would definitely think you need loading doses

Thanks all. I'm phoning tomorrow. I have a wheat intolerance so thinking about it I do eat a fairly gluten free diet, I have been googling, and found this can cause a problem with B12 absorbtion. hopefully will be put on the triage so can speak to the doctor about it tomorrow because I never mentioned this previously, she only asked if I was a vegetarian/vegan.