B12 Injection brought forward yaaay... but the downside is....

[eddi_c]

Have just spoken with my GP and after telling him about my burning feet and legs, painful arms together with sheer exhaustion he has agreed to me having my B12 jab early but..... he wants me to have a blood test first.

Just as many others do, I have been supplementing... I started off with Jarrows 5000 methylcobalamin but more recently have been taking Seeking Health Active B12 (1000 methylcobalamin) with L-5-MTHF. So now I'm worrying levels will be off the scale and he will take me off injections altogether. I don't suppose stopping the supplements just for a few days will make much difference to results and part of me thinks I'm worrying before the horse has bolted so to speak.

Just needed to get this off my chest to others who understand as all I get from friends and family is the rolling of eyes when I mention anything to do with B12!

[Natura]

Hi eddi....i understand the family and friend eye rolling. I dont share anymore....i take b12 supplement daily. If you are worried about results in bloodwork, i believe you can stop taking and it would make a difference as b12 is water soluble and you eliminate what you dont need. I think so. See what others say. I always get you cant test b12 from drs because it is hard to calculate what is in your body at any given moment.

Why is the dr doing blood tests for b12? I dont think it would show too high. Maybe hes looking for something else in the bloodwork.

[eddi_c in reply to Natura]

Hi Natura and thank you for the reply. Stupidly I didn't ask what blood test was for... think I am now programmed to suspect the worst. If only people really knew/understood/could experience what it's like to feel the way we do, they wouldn't be so dismissive.

[Natura in reply to eddi_c]

I hate the dismissiveness! Its bad enough feeling the way we do, and having family and friends not believe us...makes us feel more alone. Thank goodness we have this site.

Ask what the bloodtest is for when you go. I get a copy of my bloodwork (i am paying for it . I am entitled to a copy) ...i read myself. Because i find i am always borderlne high or low. If i am out of the range, they say i am fine. I dont understand that kind of thinking from a dr when we are all different individuals. Where do they get their parameters?

[Polaris]

You are not worrying unnecessarily Eddi - your GP has obviously not read the BCSH guidelines re. further testing of serum blood levels once treatment has begun:

"The BNF advises that patients presenting with neurological symptoms should receive 1000 ug i.m. on alternate days until there is no further improvement".

"Those with initial neurological deficit should receive Hydroxocobalamin 1000 u,g, i.m. every two month. No further testing for cobalamin levels is required."

Also:

cmim.org/pdf2014/funcion.ph...

The above latest BMJ research document is supported by many research papers and has a useful summary. It also tells GP that, once b12 treatment is started, the test results don't mean anything and blood levels are not reflective of how effective the treatment is - it is the clinical condition of the patient that matters....

"Cobalamin and holotranscobalamin levels are not helpful because they increase with vitamin B12 influx regardless of the effectiveness of treatment and retesting".