Anyone get a private injection of Vitamin B12? Would you recommend?

[LondonGrimmer]

I've not been offered it on the NHS as my levels are always borderline. Same as my B12 levels and I have iron deficiency anaemia too, which I take supplements for.

I take oral Vitamin D and B12, and the GP is happier and said my levels are more normal, but that was over six months ago and I'm still always so very tired. Even when I've been sleeping well.

So am wondering if it's worth paying the £35/£40 to go privately and get a B12 injection to see if it helps with my lack of energy? Does anyone else have them and would you recommend?

When I had b12 I needed 6 injections over 2 weeks. I don't know if one would make much difference.

Im sure there's another b12 test that can be done that looks at usable b12 rather than just the levels. I heard about this in a pathology meeting at work and don't know any more about it though as I am not of scientific/medical background.

There’s an oral spray as apparently it can be absorbed through the gums.
Maybe that would help.

I remember not being allowed by a nurse to get a b12 test because apparently the levels can't change in 3 years or something.. Forget the fact I'd just had a miscarriage with massive blood loss followed by 1 week on, 1 week off very heavy periods for 2 months...

Maybe try telling your gp that current treatment isn't working and ask for further investigations or a second opinion.

Watching with interest. I have very low B12. The GP wants to redo the blood test in 3 months, after Ive used using (that I already had).

I've had B12 injections 9n the NHS years ago, which were then stopped - as the Dr said I wasn't B12 deficient...strangely (!) So I'm not that surprised it's down again...

Worth a try OP, worst that will happen is that you’ll just pee it out if your body doesn’t need it. You could equally just use a mouth spray line pp suggested, or try to increase your dietary b12.

The person above who mentions needing six injections over two weeks, that’s a loading dose for actual b12 deficiency or malabsorption. Probably not what the OP needs since her levels are “borderline”.

What do you meant by borderline? Straddling the lower normal/deficiency. Or straddling the upper limit?

I don't know about injections but I believe that I don't absorb vitamins effectively in tablet form.

I use a vit D (with K) spray under my tongue and recently paid to have my vit D levels checked - very healthy.

I take a high dose Vit B12 under the tongue dissolvable tablet. Haven't had my levels checked for B12 but I suspect taking it this way is effective.

I've had B12 jabs for the last 4 years since finding out my level was 55 (was told at the time it should be between 300 and 900, ideally around middle and anything below 200 considered low and requiring treatment; below 100 was considered very serious and I was showing neurological symptoms.

They've changed (raised) the low acceptable limit since then, &/or changed how it's measured, so my numbers don't mean the same anymore.

My latest number was around 260, so it has improved, and that's now seen as within normal range.

I'm not as tired, so it has helped, but I didn't find it solved it all as I'm also deficient in calcium, vit D, Iron, ferritin, etc.
I may have noticed more difference if my other levels were normal though.

It has taken 6 years of constant very low iron levels to get them to accept I don't absorb it in tablet form so I've just started on iron infusions.

Thanks for all your replies - very helpful.

@QueenOfPain I can't remember my actual numbers, but it's been "borderline" low for a couple of years. Never quite low enough to warrant an injection, so always told NFA.

I pretty much ask for full bloods every year to try and get to the bottom of my tiredness and lethargy. Always told

1. It's normal because you're a busy working mum
2. It's down to low iron / Vit D /B12 so keep taking the supplements (I have a really good varied diet btw, full of foods containing all these things)
3. Have some sleeping tablets for your bad nights. But they make me feel even more groggy the next day so I don't like taking them.

I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago as they were concerned as I had low iron/ferritin, change of bowel habits and tiredness. But it was all clear and I was told it was probably mild IBS.

I just don't think it's normal to need 8-9 hours solid sleep a night minimum + at least an hour's nap in the afternoon / evening and still feeling shattered.

Does anyone have a link to the B12 spray please? Or shall I just order the top rated one on Amazon?

You can self inject b12 pretty easily ( there is a British charity to guide you into where to buy everything and a great Facebook group to to explain how to do it ) it’s a lot cheaper than paying for jabs x