Increased depression after B12 jab

[Laura221]

I get 1 injection a week as loading dose for 10 weeks (Dutch guidelines) and yesterday was my fifth injection. I notice that the day of my injection and the day after I feel very anxious and depressed, and the rest of the week I feel better. How this does come? It really worries me.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

if you have been deficient for a while then getting enough B12 can be like supercharging everything and some processes can go into overdrive.

One of the things B12 does is help the processes that recycle neurotransmitters. For some people B12 can throw this delicately balanced process out of kilter and into overdrive - which when dealing with neurotransmitters in the brain can lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Good that it only lasts a while - though I know that doesn't detract from how unpleasant it is at the time. It may be something that starts to clear but if not or it starts to get worse then please mention it to your GP.

I found that some meditation techniques really helped me in coping with anxiety and depression.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Laura221 it is not uncommon for some symptoms to appear to get worse before they get better once the B12 starts repairing the damage to you system caused by the deficiency and if as you say it lasts only a short time I wouldn't worry overmuch as that only uses up the B12 needlessly. However as Gambit62 says should these "feelings" not improve over time or get worse, mention them to your doctor

Do you know what your folate level is as this works together with iron and B12 in making red blood cells and gets used up in the process.

I wish you well.

[Steap]

Do you know what your vitamin D levels are like? Being low wouldn't help your situation and it seems to be the case that being low in one vitamin can mean being low in others too.

Low b12 means lower energy and its more likely people spend more time indoors away from sunlight.

[Laura221]

I Already supplement on D3. I have a feeling it has something to do with folic acid? My levels were Already low in the beginning, and maybe the injections are depleting it? I do take 200 micrograms methylfolate a day, but maybe that's not enough?

[deniseinmilden]

Hi!

As your body uses B12 it also uses lots of other vitamins and minerals. These include folate and potassium in quite large amounts and a deficiency of these can cause anxiety and depression feelings.

I suggest you Google these to find out more about them and increase your intake, particularly on the days of your jabs.

I am fairly typical in needing a broad spectrum multivitamin and mineral supplement plus extra folate, potassium and magnesium, plus iron.

If you want more information please ask again.

I hope you get everything balanced OK and feel better soon!

[Laura221]

5 days later and I still feel the same. I was feeling slightly better this morning, took a sublingual B12 1000 mcg this afternoon, and feel really bad again.