help with which vitb12 & vitd to take

[Lucieb01]

Ihave decided to self med with vits but I think I need something that will work quick and get me were I need to be to make me feel human so anyone plz advice on what that would be I read about what my gp gave me but didn't seem to be enough x

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi Lucieb01. Please could you give us a little more information so that we can help you?

For instance, have you been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency and or pernicious anaemia? Do,you know what your B12 levels were? What treatment has your GP given you so far and what treatment does s/he plan to give you in the future? What symptoms do you have? Have you got any gastric problems or have you had any gastric or abdominal surgery? Is there any history of pernicious anaemia or autoimmune disease in your family?

Sorry, it probably sounds like a lots of questions but the more we know, the more able we will be to give good advice.

I see Keslam21 has sent you a link...you won't be able to purchase any B12 here as it's an American Company that does not dispatch to the UK. Also, there are several different 'types' of B12 and this may not be the one you want to try. Please can I also say that B12 is perfectly safe to use and inject, if this is what you ultimately choose to do, so please don't be put off by the talk of 'dangers'.

I may not be able to log on for several days so please don't think I'm ignoring you if you respond and I don't! Others here will probably respond, though it's a bit quite at the moment as people are off on their hols.

I'll check back, when I can, and offer help if others haven't been able to do so.

Take care xx

P.s. Sorry Lucieb01 - I've just noticed your earlier post and the advice given by Gambit62. The advice gambit62 gave was really good: the reading suggested will give you something to start with and I really do think it's a good idea to go back to your GP and try and get to the bottom of why you have the deficiency before you start to self inject. If you do start to self inject, you will never be able to get a proper diagnosis as all the tests will be skewed. And you never know, your GP may, with persuasion and evidence, put you on a proper B12 regime.

If you need more reading, click on my username and look at the first post I wrote. There's lots of advice, information and guidelines that I was sent by others and it may help you further.

Good luck.

[Lucieb01 in reply to Foggyme]

Hi foggy

I have never been told I had a deficiency,and my gp said the BH result is just slightly low that's the 1st I had been in gp's office since 2015 I only phoned I needed anything and spoke to any of the silly billy's

[Gambit62 Administrator]

There are a number of things you could try with B12 before resorting to self injection - the high strength sublingual tablets suggested on TUK is one possibility - others are sublingual sprays, nasal sprays and skin patches. These aren't governed by any of the restrictions that apply injectable B12 - just by virtue of the fact that it is injectable which makes it prescription only in the UK. You can source injectable B12 from outside the UK - I buy some from a pharmacy in Germany where injectable B12 is available over the counter - as it is in France and a number of other European countries. Other formats are all classified as supplements so not coered by regulations relating to vitamin - B12 isn't toxic - the only thing would be looking after your folate levels which were a bit on the low side.

There is a lot of emphasis on methylated formes of B12 but - as you will can see on from this post by @Hillwoman - the case for methylated forms is far from proved and people on this forum have some quote mixed experiences of methylcobalamin

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

You need to get something that delivers a dose of between 1000 mcg and 10000mcg and you can take it as often as you feel is appropriate. I mainly use nasal sprays and started off by using 1000mcg 3-4 x per day.

Some people do report adverse effects - and to start off with some aches and pains can get a bit worse.

To be honest I would try and hang on a bit longer - in particular I would want to know if I had any signs of anaemia - as there is a risk of throwing potassium levels out of kilter - not pleasant - if you have anaemia. Did your GP do any general blood tests for anaemia at all? Unlike B12 you can overdose on potassium and that really isn't pleasant - both low and high potassium can be serious medical issues.

The medication that you have been given for vit D deficiency should be okay. As far as I am aware the ranges for vit D and treatments are much more straight forward than for bit B12 but others may know better as it isn't an area I have particularly looked at as it hasn't been identified as a problem for me.

I'm really sorry that you are having such a hard time with your GP over B12 and totally understand why you would want to try self-medication but, as above - I'd advice some caution as there are some unknowns that could affect things in terms of blood results.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Gambit62]

sorry - forgot to mention - I source my non-injectable B12 supplements from a firm called detox people - others use amazon and there are probably others - you can, I believe get a sublingual B12 spray from Boots and probably from health food stores.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Gambit62]

Lucieb01 , website for detox people is detoxpeople.eu/

however, I really would try to have one last go at getting a proper diagnosis before you start to supplement - though would totally understand if you have had enough and feel it would be easier to treat yourself

[Lucieb01 in reply to Gambit62]

gambit

ihave taken tablets for potassium 2015

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Lucieb01]

was this on the advice of your GP?

[Lucieb01 in reply to Gambit62]

yes in a phone call

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Lucieb01]

and are your potassium levels being monitored at all?

Feel rather concerned that your GP is not really doing their job.

[Lucieb01 in reply to Gambit62]

Gambit

no that was the last I heard

[Foggyme Administrator]

Lucieb01. The German company does supply without prescription, if you live in the UK. I have purchased without the need to have one, as have many here.

[fbirder]

The German Firm recommended by others on this forum does not supply vitB12 injections without prescription.

Of course it does. I get mine from Germany as do loads of others. Why do you keep posting FUD?

[fbirder]

More FUD. Stop it. Even a moments searching found loads of papers that show you need to stop spreading FUD or you need to stop seeing doctors who get their MD from clown college.

thelancet.com/journals/lanc...

[fbirder]

More FUD.

Look up any type of B12 and you'll find a similar list of side-effects. One would have thought that a chief nurse would know something like that.