Timing of B12 injections.

[HonorElizabeth]

I am about to administer my 10th inter muscular injection & wondered if there is any benefit to doing so at bedtime. I understand that taking high doses of B12 orally still allows for some to enter the bloodstream even when not absorbed through the normal method. Knowing that most of what I inject will be excreted through urine does it make any sense to have it before I sleep therefore keeping it in my body as long as possible? I may be clutching at straws here.

[fbirder]

Interesting question!

The rate at which free B12 (that not bound to proteins) will be eliminated in the urine will depend on the GFR (glomerular filtration rate) which does decrease in the early hours of the morning. However, I believe that most of the B12 in the blood will be protein-bound and not filtered by the kidneys. So the time of day won't make much difference.

[HonorElizabeth in reply to fbirder]

Thank you fbirder. Since I had to battle with a GP for 10 more ampoules following my initial six doses I just wanted to ensure I was getting the very best out of each one.

[deniseinmilden]

I do mine when I get up each day. It stems from when I used to use 1mg in 1 ml, supplied by my Dr and it wasn't enough to keep me going for 24 hrs so I wanted to have the greatest effect when I wanted to be awake. For the past year I have been buying my own 1.5 mg in 1 ml ampoules and they last me for about 28 hours so I could do them at any time in theory. I still do them in the morning though coz it's more regular and I'm too tired to do them later.

Please make sure you get enough of the supporting supplements needed to make the extra B12 work: a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium, magnesium and maybe iron.

Good luck with getting better!

[HonorElizabeth]

Many thanks for the advice. I am taking folic acid, multivitamin, iron & vitamin D.

My undiagnosed B12 deficiency led me to stumble onto a glass vase losing 1.5 litres of blood in the process, obviously my Hb was low, I was given 2 units of blood and started on ferrous sulphate.

Two weeks after discharge from hospital I requested a GP to test my B12 level as I have a family history of PA. B12 138, Vit D 46.

The second doctor I saw prescribed the initial six loading doses of B12 ( I'm a nurse so was allowed to self administer from the onset ) and a course of Vit D.

Ten days after my sixth injection I saw yet another doctor. I had tingling numbness in my fingers and feet, mostly my left hand, remained dizzy and was still faltering on my ability to balance, especially when tired, morning & evening the worst times. My concentration / focus was variable. I admit I was feeling much better than before. She has referred me to a neurologist ( appointment 23/05/17 ) and very reluctantly prescribed more B12 for me to inject. I requested a letter to carry B12 to India when I go next month but she refused saying I will not be needing it! I'm not convinced, so I've bought some sublingual to see me through.

I rarely have cause to see a doctor, when I do I'd like to be taken seriously, I realise it depends on who I see. This forum is a godsend. 😀

[BethattheBeach in reply to HonorElizabeth]

If you are a nurse and have proved no adverse reaction to B12 I would seriously consider buying injection equipment online to take with you as checked luggage. Perhaps you could ask for a copy of your medical records /blood tests relating to the B12 def and that would help allay any pesky questioning from customs. I've carried needles and ampoules to the States, Dubai and Europe from Australia as checked luggage and never had a problem.

Take control of your health and your life!

[HonorElizabeth in reply to BethattheBeach]

Thank you BethattheBeach, I'm considering it. It's still early days in my treatment & I hate relying on injections, but I mustn't be in denial as to what my body actually requires. (a typical psychiatric nurse, struggling with coming to terms with the fact that she has a medical problem)