Anyone with Vit B12 deficiency?

[GetOurraMeWay]

Got some blood test results back today showing B12 deficiency. I don't have the numbers yet as you have to talk to the GP for that and the results I got today were via the receptionist. It would explain being knackered and glum but then so would probably being menopausal (I'm 48 but have the coil so no periods anyway).
Anyone know if this is a big deal? Obviously I will be speaking to GP but appointment isn't for another 2 weeks, so just curious if anyone had any insight!

I'm not B12 deficient but I know a few people that are , they go to the drs for a B12 injection every 12 weeks

Thanks @mycatsanutter that sounds a bit inconvenient!!

If you work full time I can imagine it probably is yea 😩

I have a tendency towards it. I usually know when I'm running low and start taking a B complex supplement. However, I don't seem to be absorbing that so well either now as the last time I was tested I was really low despite the supplement. I got injections every week for either 4 or 6 weeks (can't remember). I did get them to check for the marker that shows whether you can absorb from food or not - make sure you ask them to do that one. Apparently I can theoretically absorb it but don't seem to be doing so as I feel low again and I've been religious with the supplement since the injections. I'll get it retested when I go for a renewal of my HRT prescription.

If you can't see a GP for 2 weeks, start on a supplement in the meantime.

It’s not inconvenient. It’s part of life if you’ve got pernicious anaemia. I have mine every 8 weeks. You need to see your blood test results and understand them, not just take the verbal response from the Dr. You need to have an understanding of what deficiency you have.

You only need the injections if you can't absorb it. You might be lucky and the supplements work although you might need a course of injections to jump start you.

Thanks all. I did read that proton pump inhibitors can cause malabsorption, and I take omeprezole, so that might be it.

@GetOurraMeWay honestly, it's really not inconvenient, in comparison to the inconvenience of being knackered and bad tempered with a hair trigger ability to generally get annoyed at anyone or anything - my symptoms, not necessarily yours.

like you, I thought my symptoms were caused by peri menopause. B12 deficiency tends to show itself in your 40s. So I guess it not uncommon for women to confuse the two.

I don’t have pernicious anaemia but still don’t absorb it and going to the doctors every 12 weeks is fine as you book in advance so get a convenient appointment. You’ll have the 6 in 2 weeks loading dose though! . I feel awful without it.

Yeah that is a very fair point. I'm a knackered grouchy cow to be honest 😳, the occasional injection is far preferable, you are right

And, as a side note if it’s PA you have, it’s very likely you’ll eventually have another or more autoimmune condition diagnosed in the coming years. Its very come on once you have one AI condition you’ll get more.

I have taken a proton pump inhibitor for years (pantoprazole) and have to take b12 supplements or my b12 gets low. You should take folic acid alongside b12 as otherwise you will end up deficient in that. B12 utilises folic acid so depletes your reserves. If folic acid irritates your stomach try sublingual. My stomach kicks off with anything iand everything but the sublingual causes no problems.

@TravellingIncognito thank you. Shame no GP ever thought to mention that to me!

@tacomaco shit that's a cheerful thought 😳

B13 deficiency is VERY common. They'll probably give you tablets and not an injection at first.

I meant B12. B13 deficiency is unheard of 😁

If tests shows your body can't absorb B12 through diet then no amount of B12 supplements or eating food that is high in B12 will make the slightest difference. You will need the jabs for life. A loading dose at first, followed by B12 jabs every 2-3 months. 2-3 months is the NICE guideline. I have my jab every 10 weeks. I still feel knackered most of the time and I always know my jab is due because literally can't open my eyes in the morning. There are times when I can't muster up the energy to get out of bed.

You can buy B12 without prescription from Germany and do the jabs yourself. I know people who do this and inject much more frequently. It's not possible to overdose on B12 - it's just a vitamin and you pee most of it out again within hours. B12 jabs are also available at clinics alongside botox and fillers.

@fridaynight1 Do you have a link to where you can buy B12? I tried to PM you but I get an error message.

Solgar branded B12 tablets (other types available) came well recommended to me…

I buy mine too.

From Amazon in Germany. It’s exactly the same as the U.K. site so easy to navigate if you buy as much from them as I do.

You do need to take folic acid with it though - most GPs don’t tell you this. Usually 5mg daily.

I inject weekly/every other week/however I feel like it. As a pp said, it’s water soluble so you can’t OD on it.

This is one of the packs I’ve bought in the past - I recently bought ones with a separate ampule of folic acid which felt better but it’s double the injections (also below)

https://www.amazon.de/Lichtenstein-Vitamin-B12-1000-mcg-Ampoules-Pack/dp/B00EXISZMU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1YHZ7QH95J14&keywords=b12+ampullen&qid=1687552506&sprefix=b12+am%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.de/Vitamin-Plus-Folic-Hevert-Ampoules/dp/B00E4U7I34/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?crid=1YHZ7QH95J14&keywords=b12+ampullen&qid=1687552506&sprefix=b12+am%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-9

Right I've just order the Solgar B vits. Ironically I've been flapping about Vit D deficiency so I have been taking that religiously for about a year, also Solgar.
I've noticed that my hair has been falling out, much like the post partum shedding. I assumed it was hormonal but if you enter 'can Vit B deficiency cause' into Google it autocompletes to 'hair loss'! So it's clearly A Thing. Every days a school day eh.

I'm borderline and pay for B12 injections, about £25 per dose at a local clinic.

I took tablets for years but honestly feel better on injections. I went monthly for 3 months and now go every 3/4 months.

I can’t absorb it from food either and the 12 weekly injections from the GP aren’t frequent enough (in other countries they are much more frequent) so I self-inject every week and feel much better.

I had a B12 deficiency a few years ago. I had the initial blood test and was sent away to take tablet for a month then had another blood test. Tablets hadn’t helped so I had injections over the course of a year - a loading phase of injections almost every other day for 2 weeks then 1 injection every 3 months. I took tablets alongside the injections and still take them. Took me ages to feel better but no issues since!