B12 deficiency

[Trulytrue]

Hi,
I think I’m low in B12 even though my bloods were 450. I’ve got a lot of the symptoms, I’ve been vegetarian for years and I know I don’t eat very well. Does anyone on here self inject that could give me a dummies guide where/how to purchase them. I know a lot of people get them from Amazon Germany, I’ve seen some links but I really don’t know where to start. Thanks x

Just go to Holland and Barrett and buy their B12 supplements. They even do a 1000mcg megadose if you really want to be covered (not that you'd need that much).

The injections are so painful (far more than any other I've had) and unless you actually have pernicious anaemia they're just not worth it, oral supplements should fix it

I’ve not heard that a lot of tablets don’t work that’s why I thought injections 😊

I use the ‘Better You’ sublingual B12 spray from Holland & Barrett. Spraying under the tongue gets straight into the bloodstream fast. Definitely works for me and worth a try.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to advertise Facebook groups here? Apologies if not and admin can delete my comment but there is a very helpful Facebook group called Vitamin B12 Wake Up, they can help you on there. 😊

@Moonchild18

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to advertise Facebook groups here? Apologies if not and admin can delete my comment but there is a very helpful Facebook group called Vitamin B12 Wake Up, they can help you on there. 😊

Thank you

@Barbarolo

I use the ‘Better You’ sublingual B12 spray from Holland & Barrett. Spraying under the tongue gets straight into the bloodstream fast. Definitely works for me and worth a try.

Thank you

I think there has been improvements in tablets in recent years. My dog used to have B12 injections but there is now a capsule version for dogs considered sufficient. A few years ago that wasn't the case though and he was on four weekly injections. He coped well but they sting like a bigger apparently so had lots of treats to hand!

If you are indeed deficient, and it is correct that the test you get from you GP will be more or less useless, pills or sublingual are not really going to help.

Ideally, you'd want to do the other tests that give better indication of b12 deficiency, for a start doing the active test. You can buy one privately if you'd rather avoid your GP.

You need to take no supplements for reliable results for these, so once you start, it's too late (you have to be off them for at least 4 months).

Saying that, you can start injecting without a diagnosis as ultimately that will be the treatment if you are deficient and taking b12 will do no harm if you are not.

You can indeed buy off Amazon or through online pharmacies who export to the UK. The main one had stop shipping to the UK but I've heard has started again. Be careful not to buy in bulk though as now with Brexit, you'll have to pay tax and it's a lot.

The pernicious anemia Facebook group will give you all the detail of where to go to order.

You can order syringes and needles via Amazon and watch YouTube to learn how to self inject. It's really not hard. I've done it for 4 years now. No official diagnosis as my levels were high too and by the time GP was prepared to do more test, I'd already started to self inject. It changed my life.

If you have intrinsic factor then tablets are fine. You only need to inject it if you can't absorb it through your stomach or if your bloods show a deficiency in which case you will be prescribed a course of injections to top you up.

@vivainsomnia

If you are indeed deficient, and it is correct that the test you get from you GP will be more or less useless, pills or sublingual are not really going to help.

Ideally, you'd want to do the other tests that give better indication of b12 deficiency, for a start doing the active test. You can buy one privately if you'd rather avoid your GP.

You need to take no supplements for reliable results for these, so once you start, it's too late (you have to be off them for at least 4 months).

Saying that, you can start injecting without a diagnosis as ultimately that will be the treatment if you are deficient and taking b12 will do no harm if you are not.

You can indeed buy off Amazon or through online pharmacies who export to the UK. The main one had stop shipping to the UK but I've heard has started again. Be careful not to buy in bulk though as now with Brexit, you'll have to pay tax and it's a lot.

The pernicious anemia Facebook group will give you all the detail of where to go to order.

You can order syringes and needles via Amazon and watch YouTube to learn how to self inject. It's really not hard. I've done it for 4 years now. No official diagnosis as my levels were high too and by the time GP was prepared to do more test, I'd already started to self inject. It changed my life.

Thank you, I'm going to really look into self injecting

With a level of 450 you really don’t need to be injecting B12.

@deadlanguage

If you have intrinsic factor then tablets are fine. You only need to inject it if you can't absorb it through your stomach or if your bloods show a deficiency in which case you will be prescribed a course of injections to top you up.

I have IF and can’t seem to absorb B12. Any ideas why this might be?

My GP would prefer to see levels up around 700 so I get monthly injections (normally just below 400 but have symptoms) but levels don’t increase at all. Injections don’t hurt that much, not sure if I could do it myself. Good luck!

It’s probably important if you take a supplement to make sure it’s methylated b12 as a lot of people have genetic mutations which mean they can’t methylate b12. The non methylated form is found in a lot of supplements but I imagine high dose supplements are usually methylcolbamin

With a level of 450 you really don’t need to be injecting B12
This is totally incorrect. The standard test I dictates your total level of b12, not the active part, that is the element that you don't absorb properly.

There is so much misunderstanding of pernicious anemia and that's a common one, even amongst practitioners.

One blood test rest that is worth looking at as an indication is you mcv, much and much.

You don't nec have to self inject - if you don't mind paying, beauty salon or health type places will give you the injection for £30-40-ish. I just googled B12 and my location and there are three local places - I've tried them all :-) (I get injections from the doc but need more often than I can get on the NHS, but am not comfortable self injecting).
If you're happy SI-ing then that's all good though.