B12 - what should it be?

[BananaLamah]

Mine is 300 and I have all sorts of worrying symptoms. The doctor says it’s over 190 so it’s fine. But other sources are saying it should be more like 400-500 and I’m low enough to have symptoms?

Over the last few years the nhs has reduced and reduced the acceptable levels. They won’t budge, your best bet is to get in touch with a private provider, tell them your levels and they’ll advise whether you just need a top up injection or a full course. Either way they’re not massively expensive and are worth it. Dd is at her best when the levels are around 800 DH doesn’t bother getting tested and just has top ups

@Billybagpuss what do you mean a private provider? Do you have to see a private doctor?

No not at all, there’s loads of small businesses offering it, usually people that also offer things like lip fillers and Botox, do you have a local fb page that you could ask for recommendations.

It makes me a bit nervous getting an injection from someone who’s not a doctor.

Do pharmacist give out shots. Where I live in Spain, you can get an injection from the pharmacist for €5 lasts 3 months

There are a lot of regulations they have to go through to get licenced. I think many of them are qualified nurses. The one my family uses definitely is. Why don’t you start by googling what’s available locally then dig deeper into their qualifications.

Mine was that low and I have injections. But I have been having them for years. And yes I couldn’t imagine life without the injection. I get mine at the doctors. But I have looked online. And there are a few clinics that do them. I asked on Facebook and looked at recommendations. If u can afford it I would definitely do it as it makes a huge impact on my life.

Lots of people do buy them themselves and inject themselves. So maybe go down that route. It is just a straight jab in the arm. Stings though.

Did you have any specific symptoms that led you to get this treatment? How did you feel when your B12 was 300?

Tired. Brain didn’t work. I remember standing looking at food on the shelf at Tesco and looking at my list and I couldn’t get the two to work together.

my main problem was my feet. I was walking with a walking stick because they hurt so much. But the injections took that away. Still have some damage there but they are a lot better. I start to get tired when my injection is due. It wasn’t a straight away fix. Took some months to start feeling better.

I was so, so tired, breathless and suffered from brain fog.

my GP tested for intrinsic factor antibodies and found I couldn’t absorb B12 in my gut so prescribed B12 injections 3 monthly. I could tell when the 3 months was close because my symptoms would return. I’d get tinnitus and restless legs.

I developed persistent pins and needles in my toes and the GP moved me to injections bimonthly because B12 deficiency can affect your nerves.

@AudreyHD uup. The nerves thing was my feet. It was awful. I developed tinnitus with it. But mine has never gone away. I think people underestimate the damage it can do when not treated. Op I would really have a look into doing fhis somewhere.

My level was 100 and I had so many symptoms that I'd had for years before being tested.

Tinnitus (that's never gone)
Brian fog
Terrible memory
Heart palpitations
Migraines every couple of weeks that stopped after my very first b12 injection!!
Internal tremor and shakes
Widespread pain (was diagnosed with fibromyalgia)
Vision issues (optician said brain was turning one eye off)

I'm sure there are more I'm just forgetting.

I had to fight with the doctor to give me injections as they just wanted me to take a tablet which I felt I wouldn't absorb.

They gave me them every 10 weeks and then after two years just stopped them. I've been injecting myself ever since and do that once a week at them moment as feel that's how often I currently need them. When I need another one I get tired, lack energy, and start to shake again.

Doing the infections myself has been lift changing. I inject into my tummy and it's almost pain free. The nurse doing them into my arm used to be very painful!

Has anyone had symptoms at 300? I can see how you’d feel crap at 100 but my GP is saying 300 is fine and not causing my symptoms.

@BananaLamah there are a few really good Facebook groups u can join. Even at a higher number it can cause a lot of problems.

300 is still quite low, even if it’s the normal range. Lots of places that do Botox offer B12 injections, I pay £30 for mine, at a local aesthetics clinic.

I inject B12. I buy it from Germany where it sold as vitamin over-the-counter like any other vitamin .to be honest, The NHS level is absolutely shocking compared to other countries worldwide and if you’re experiencing symptoms it’s best to get it treated sooner rather than later and don’t forget some people cannot absorb B12 from tablets they need for injections. If untreated. B12 is actually pretty serious and cause Further issues down the line so it’s best to get it sorted.

Where do you buy?

www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/5121351-b12?page=1

My DD was awful at 300 and she kept dropping. So much better now she has the monthly top ups. I think they pay £30 a go

I get mine done at the pharmacy, about £29 a shot. I'm not sure if your symptoms are linked to your b12. Have you had your vit d, folate and iron checked and also thyroid levels?

Yes. Folate and thyroid are mid range. Iron is borderline (22, normal is 15). Vit D is too low (43, should be 50) so I’m on supplements which aren’t helping. But doctors said that isn’t low enough to cause these symptoms. I’ve been lower before and not had these symptoms.

That vit d needs to be well above 50

folate and b12 are linked you need to supplement both together.

When the symptoms started my Vit D was 50 exactly. I’ve had 3 months worth of supplements and now it’s 43. Maybe the supplements the pharmacy gave me isn’t strong enough.

What symptoms are you having? You can have malabsorption of vitamin d with gut diseases like crohns - any change your symptoms are gut related?

you should ask for a follow up