B12 deficiency: B12 deficiency I have to... - Men's Health Forum

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B12 deficiency

toomanyinjections profile image

B12 deficiency

I have to inject daily for B12 deficiency. All self diagnosed (started injecting in 2013 with the help of the Pe

rnicious Anemia Society).

I have recently heard the term functional B12 deficiency. Does anyone have any information on this as it seems I have this form of B12D.

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toomanyinjections
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11 Replies

Have you discussed your B12 situation with a doctor?

toomanyinjections profile image
toomanyinjections in reply to

Yes. The problem is you will always get a negative result from the test. I am fairly knowledgeable about B12D but functional B12D is new(ish) to me; just want to learn more.

in reply to toomanyinjections

If you are B12 deficient, why will the test always indicate otherwise?

toomanyinjections profile image
toomanyinjections in reply to

Because you need to supplement to stay healthy. You need to be clear of B12 ideally for 4 months to have a proper result. I can’t go more than 3 or 4 days.

in reply to toomanyinjections

So how do you determine what is causing any deficiency if you have one? In the UK this is all academic as B12 injections are on prescription only so you need to see a doctor.

toomanyinjections profile image
toomanyinjections in reply to

The GP will give you one injection every 2-3 months. Some sufferers need them a lot more regularly.

in reply to toomanyinjections

Your GP will only prescribe B12 injections If you are diagnosed with B12 deficiency and not just because you want them.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

Galen70 profile image
Galen70

B12 is a water soluble vitamin. So if you take it to excess, you will simply pee out the rest.

I am unaware of any condition that requires daily vitamin b12 injections.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

from the pernicious anaemia society web page :

Standards in Haematology say:

… High dose oral cobalamin would be a reasonable alternative as maintenance in patients unable to tolerate intramuscular injections provided there is good compliance with treatment. On the other hand, some patients may prefer intramuscular injection therapy in order to assure effective treatment.

Frequency :

The frequency of injections varies from country to country. In the UK this is usually a 1mg injection every two to three months though many doctors prescribe more frequent injections.

The BNF states:

For people with neurological involvement

Initially administer hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly on alternate days until there is no further improvement, then administer hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly every 2 months.

For people with no neurological involvement

Initially administer hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly three times a week for 2 weeks, then administer hydroxocobalamin 1 mg intramuscularly every 2–3 months for life.

Nowhere is there a mention of daily vitamin b12 injections. I think you are unnecessarily overdosing yourself with vitamin B12.

toomanyinjections profile image
toomanyinjections in reply to Galen70

I am aware of Functional B12D. It is a fact. Discussed at a pernicious anaemia society forums. I am aware of people like me (loads of them), N.H.S. has not caught up yet.

Galen70 profile image
Galen70 in reply to toomanyinjections

But the links I posted are from the pernicious anaemia society page you yourself quoted … and even they don't advocate daily B12 treatment

Galen70 profile image
Galen70 in reply to Galen70

Also the national guidelines , which are very technical , don't mention daily dosing except with neurological deficit and should be reviewed after 3 weeks even in that case : onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

All of this is presuming you had a test at some point that has shown a deficiency and not simply based upon symptoms only.

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