Suspected B12 deficiency.

[overthinker001]

Hi I’ve had a blood test this morning for suspected B12 deficiency. Was just wondering how long people have waited for the results if had the same.

Also people who have had a severe deficiency in b12 what symptoms did you have as I have had so many, some I wouldn’t have even thought could be because of B12.

Just to say, if results come back normal, ask for the actual figures. They were set quite low but have recently been changed and now are set higher BUT also recommend treatment if patients are symptomatic below iirc 285.

I had pins and needles in my face, severe fatigue, mouth ulcers, dizziness to the point there were times I couldn’t walk, hair loss etc etc but results were marked ‘normal’ if they were 150 and above at the time. Mine were 154. Happily the GP agreed with treatment and symptoms quickly resolved.

Blood tests results do come back quickly, the thing that takes the time is them being assessed by a clinician because they may have 100’s of tests, and some may need to be dealt with more urgently.

@IdLikeThingToSpiralIntoControlthank you. Yes they are exactly my symptoms as well. It’s the pins and needles in the face and the stuttering when trying to get my words out that worried me the most.

hopefully they come back quickly and I can get to the bottom of it.

My Dr rang me up the next day after my blood test and arranged my first loading dose. That was 15 years ago and I need rhe injections every 3 months. You might just need the loading dose though.

Following with interest this has just been picked up for me too as per of an investingation for some ting else

My levels are 74 - but of course getting an appointment with the GP is impossible so wondering if it’s worth paying for a b12 injection myself

I’ve always found blood test results come back quickly, so hopefully they tell you soon. My B12 levels were so low the GP commented that he was very surprised I wasn’t having severe neurological symptoms. I actually had no symptoms though, the blood test was for something entirely different, they just added a few of the typical things to the referral. If it’s low, the injections are pretty easy. I had 6 injections over 6 months and am now doing them every 3 months. My levels still aren’t where they should be though, so no idea what is going on!

I had a blood test this morning and the results are in my app already.
But my b12 seems to have jumped by over 100 in a few weeks - going from low, to questionable. I've done nothing different, and my test today was also to check for intrinsic factor antibodies (fine) and coeliac.

Is it a stable test, does anyone know, or can levels often vary like this?

@IdLikeThingToSpiralIntoControlive eventually had them back after calling the doctors every single day. So they’re saying my results are normal at 153 and no further action needed, but the symptoms are getting worse. How did you get them to agree to treatment?

I had the same with B12. Their idea of normal isn’t normal I don’t think. I know pay £25 every 8 weeks for a jab.
they make you have a test to see if you can take tablets or need the jab. The tablets didn’t make me feel any better. I would pay for the jab if I was you xx

@Pearl97 Morning, no it can’t be because the symptoms I’m getting are awful so it must be really low 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve been looking into it this morning and if when I ring Monday they don’t agree to treatment I will pay for the jabs as well. Would you say it’s made much of a difference?

It’s made a huge difference. My hairdresser asked me what I had done to my hair. I didn’t get what she meant at first and then by chance I said I was having b12 and she said that’s it!

I feel sooo much better. I now know when my next injection is due by how I feel!

@overthinker001I was just wondering how you’re feeling?
After reading this thread last week I booked in for a series of B12 jabs at a local beauticians. My B12 has been so low for years, so much so that I felt awful. I was prescribed tablets, but they didn’t really seem to do anything.
I didn’t realise you could get jabs privately until last reading this thread last week.
the therapist said to me that I’ll need about 6, one per week, then maintenance shots, she said I’ll know when I need the by how I feel.
I so hope this will help me feel better!

@HappyKatieA morning, I still feel really rough. The pins and needles in my face just seem to be getting worse.
the doctor won’t let me have injections and has booked me for an mri scan instead. Ridiculous lol. Got the scan today but can guarantee will be clear.
I have booked in for private jabs. Luckily I found out the lady that lives opposite me does then in her beauty room so not even far to travel lol, first one is Wednesday. Fingers crossed you start to feel better

I think your GP is doing the right thing by looking at differential diagnoses.

@PunxsutawneyPhilsShadowyea definitely and I would rather him cover all bases I just honestly think it’s my b12. Never mind. I’m sure will get to the bottom of it soon

You would think they would raise you B12 first!!! I’m glad they’re looking into it, but it would makes sense to give you the loading doses!!!
So glad you’ve found someone to do it. I keep saying to the beautician that does mine, your neighbours must wonder what I come in for as I don’t look any better when I leave! Xx

@overthinker001 150 was the old cut off for the lower end of the normal range. Afair it’s recently been increased to 180, so you levels show you are low according to our lab. I think it even says to treat if below 275 but symptomatic.
Google nice guidelines and go back to your dr. I know a lot of people buy from Germany and self inject because levels are so low in this country and they are routinely left to suffer.
It is possible to get them privately, but you do have to pay.

General GPs do not know enough about B12. NICE guidelines are a general guidelines and not correct for everyone.
I suggest you join a UK b12 group ( Facebook). I had so many symtoms l cannot begin to list them all. Mouth ulcers/ Fatigue/ aching limbs.. l SI every week. ( Buy from Germany).. no symptoms.

My GP stopped my injections in Covid and would not restart, I had been on them for 15 years and was supposed to be on them for life. I felt like I was dying after 8 months off them so now I order from Germany and inject myself

@Moier@ROOTSTOCKHUMANcan I ask what website you use to purchase them please

⁣Vitamin B12 Depot Panpharma 1000 [my]g/ml iniecto -lsg 10X1 ml

I order these syringes and just taught myself from a Youtube video, been doing since 2020 every 8 weeks

Unisharp 1ml 25G 25mm (1 inch) Orange Fixed Needle Low Dead Space Syringe

I researched it all first and this is the exact same stuff that the GP was giving me before they stopped

@overthinker001 I’ve also purchased from the same company as pp. they are legit, they arrive really quickly and no problem with customs or anything.

If you are nervous maybe get a salon to do a couple for you first, they’d be unlikely to show you as they’d be doing themselves out of business/not covered if you do somehow injure yourself, but at least you’d have a couple of doses to give you a boost. They sting like hell btw.

I understand liver is very high in b12. It may help to eat it weekly? I can go low in b12 even though I take the b complex I top up with Floradix.

Just thought I would mention in case it helps somebody.

Unless you have a condition that causes your body not to be able to absorb vitamin B12, then low B12 is a dietary issue and does not need medical intervention, you need to increase your B12 intake through diet and supplements .