B12 injections

[PennywisePoundFoolish]

I've had blood test results back, and got an appointment next week to discuss them

My B12 is noted as borderline at 126, reference range 120 - 900
The note says to start oral supplements.

My vitamin D is also a little low at 25 (says 20 < is deficiency)

And transferrin saturation is 9% (low) [15-45]
Serum iron 7.5 (low) [10-30]
Serum transferrin 3.5 (normal high)
Folate 4.2 (ref range 2.5 - 9999)

With these other lowish results, will it be pointless paying for private B12 injections?

Worst symptoms are brain fog and fatigue, but I also have a permanently red face which I find really embarrassing

Do you feel better/‘normal’ on oral supplements?

I do. I actually felt very depressed when my B12 was low and my joints were so stiff and painfil. I also take high dosage Vitamin D. It seems to work.

OP your TSH seems high if you’re on treatment (not sure about T4 without lab range). Mine is usually under 1. For various reasons in the spring it crept up to 4ish and I was falling asleep on the sofa every afternoon.

I've raised this before. My TSH was 44.2 when I was diagnosed but I've never felt any difference once it got under 5. I've given up asking, as the last time it was suggested I needed counselling. I don't see that HCP anymore but it's on my notes.

The T4 range was 7.9-16

Have you had a look at Thyroid UK? They can help you talk to your GP about symptoms and doses.

I know this thread isn’t about your thyroid but it’s such a basic thing to nail down and then you can rule it out as the cause of your symptoms.

Sidge - please can you tell me where the advice for high dose oral supplements is and if you know whether that is prescription-only?
I've got mixed feelings on these private b12 jabs since my GP isn't up to date with guidance but I've struggled to find anyone who is and isn't private.

@Floralbiscuit Here is the NICE guidance for managing B12 deficiency.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/chapter/recommendations#managing-vitamin-b12-deficiency

In particular -

If the person is taking, or plans to take, over-the-counter oral supplements that contain vitamin B12:
explain that some supplements do not contain enough, or the right type, of vitamin B12 to be effective and
advise them to pick an oral supplement that contains at least 1 of the following types of vitamin B12:

cyanocobalamin
methylcobalamin
adenosylcobalamin.

Dosage depends on the reason for deficiency -

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/cyanocobalamin/how-and-when-to-take-cyanocobalamin/