Advice about B12 self treating please.

[Cn13]

I think I'm now at the stage where self treating with B12 is going to be my best option. I've tried with my Gp's but they are not listening or don't really understand B12 deficiency. I'm finding the whole thing just too stressful now and would like some advice on self treating please.

I already have the following needles but am totally confused if these sizes would be any good:

BD Microlance 3 Needles Yellow 30g x 0.5" x 100 - 1

BD Microlance 3 Needles Black 22g x 1" x 100 - 1

I was thinking of doing SC injections would either of the sizes above be good for that and which one would I use for getting the B12 from the ampoule. And as I am really clueless could anyone point me in the direction of how to actually get the B12 out of the ampoule and maybe somewhere that shows how to do the injections.

I feel I'm just going around in circles trying to get a diagnosis and probably putting my health at risk too.

I'd be most grateful for any advice given please.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Cn13 Was your Folate level ever tested?

[Cn13 in reply to clivealive]

Hi clivealive ,

Thanks for replying. Yes folate has been tested and has also been low in range. I just didn't want to supplement before getting some B12 as heard you should get the B12 first.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Cn13]

Yes it's good to have a "healthy" level of Folate before starting B12 supplementation and yes again, were you deficient in Folate, start the B12 first.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body.

[Cn13 in reply to clivealive]

Hi clivealive ,

Thanks for your reply. Well I think I have no choice but to self treat B12 and I'm sure there are many people on this forum who do that. And I will start taking the folic acid too after the B12.

Yes my iron has also been very low too so I will continue to try to raise this too. Thanks.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Cn13]

My only qualm (and this is only my very own opinion) about self treatment is the on-going cost and the "loss of support" from the NHS. Fine - if you can afford it but if the cause of the deficiency is "incurable" (such as P.A. - vegan diet, gastric surgery, other autoimmune diseases etc) self treatment is for life and should be embarked on as a "last resort".

God Willing the Pernicious Anaemia Society (and this forum) will be a means of "educating" our GPs nationwide in the need to treat B12 deficiencies more sympathetically.

To join the Pernicious Anaemia Society click on the link below and scroll down

healthunlocked.com/api/redi...

I wish you well for the future

[Cn13 in reply to clivealive]

Thank you Clive. Yes I do agree with you and would love to have the support of the GP's and the NHS. Unfortunately my GP practice just use my serum B12 result as proof I don't have a problem despite my numerous symptoms including neurological ones. I have joined PAS and have provided info from the PAS to the GP's with no positive result. I have written a detailed letter to them about why I think I have a B12 deficiency and am waiting to hear back but just wanted to get ready to self treat in case the reply is not favourable.

I would love to find a GP who understands this deficiency but really not sure how to go about this. I have been trying since March this year to get them to listen but no luck so far.

I did contact the PAS and they advised to start self treating with B12 spray which I haven't done yet.

I will wait until the GP replies to my letter maybe but then I think self treating will be the last resort.

Thank you for helping.

[Locksylady]

Hi Carmel13n really suprised your Gp doesn't know about B22 deficiency as you can have your reading easily tested by having a blood test.

I would suggest changing your Gp if you are not getting what you need from your current one as self treatment is not recommended.

[Locksylady in reply to Locksylady]

Sorry meant to read B12!

[CCSP-27 in reply to Locksylady]

😂 I was about to jump in to research ! B22 what's this I don't don't about ???😏