B12 Injections and 5kg weight gain?!

[Shelley70]

I have been SI B12 for the last week and noticed a huge difference in energy over the last few days. I walked 10km at the weekend when usually I would struggle to get out of bed. Feeling pleased with myself I stood on the scales to see if I had lost weight over the week. I was horrified to see I had gained 5kg and am at my most heaviest. Instant depression ensued! Has anyone else experienced this? My eating habits have not changed and there is no other reason for this. I am drinking water and keeping mobile but feel quite puffy all over. I am scared to continue with the B12 in case I get bigger but the downside is going back to having no life. Any tips or help would be great. Sorry if I am raising something that has been done before but I couldn’t see much on weight gain more weight loss. My GP is next to useless regarding B12.

I am 47, have Crohn’s and had a hemicolectomy 15 years ago. Have been lethargic and a human sloth for most of my life and finding I am B12 deficient was the lightbulb moment so I really want to continue so any advice gratefully received!

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Suggest you speak to your GP and ask if they can test your thyroid - given that you are reporting sudden weight gain and puffiness - which suggest water retention

[Shelley70 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks Gambit, already tested and GP claims it is ok but as I said they are not the most helpful and I am having to do my own research and find a solution elsewhere. Will keep going with the water

[Ivorheadache in reply to Shelley70]

Hi Shelley70 I would definitely ask for print out of your thyroid test results including the ranges. Many Gp's have been shown to say normal results and they aren't. Good idea to post your results on thyroiduk for comment. Hope you soon feel up to a long walk again.

[Shelley70 in reply to Ivorheadache]

Thanks Ivor, definitely going to push for more info on the possible thyroid issue following your post and a few others. Seems to be a common theme.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Shelley70]

Shelley70 - suggest you get details of the thyroid test and post on TUK forum

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Shelley70]

Thanks for the reply, yes I know what I am eating and am careful due to the Crohns. Have been for years. Even if I was comfort eating I’d need to go some to gain 5kg in a week.

[Marz in reply to Shelley70]

Hi Shelley70 - I too have Crohns - diagnosed way back in 1973. Had gut TB first and after 6 months in hospital and 4 other surgical interventions I also had a hemi-colectomy for the TB and Crohns also found in the ascending colon. Further surgery ensued over the years ! I was not told about the B12 issues and have only recently been up to speed with information gained from Fora. I now self-inject weekly - but not before very expensive spinal surgery in Germany ( I live in Crete ) - which I now think was caused by a B12 issue.

I appreciate you have had your thyroid tested - but what was tested ? The NHS loves to keep people unwell and in the dark. These are the tests you need - TSH - FT4 - FT3 and Thyroid Anti-bodies TPO & Tg. The NHS rarely test the most important of all thyroid hormones - the T3 - ummm ! I was 59 before I was diagnosed with Hashimotos here in Crete in 2005. It was a light bulb moment and I have been learning ever since that time.

Auto-immune Thyroid - aka Hashimotos - the most common thyroid condition the world over - so without testing how would you know

Having a thyroid issue trashes the uptake of vitamins and minerals - so beyond B12 - you also need to know the results for Folate - Ferritin and VitD ....

Happy to help

PS I too gained weight on starting B12 injections - I actually posted here about it I put it down to the healing of the myelin sheath and improved absorption as a result - who knows.

[Shelley70 in reply to Marz]

Thanks Marz, sorry to hear you have had quite a time of it! It is quite sad we aren’t told about the effects of ops and the various crohns treatments isn’t it. Thank goodness for forums like this and us doing our research.

I previously had the full range of thyroid tests done privately and was within ‘normal’ range but detective work I have done since shows I was at the low end of normal which explains a lot. Recent GP only did basic test which is next to useless and they are not helpful so reckon I need to go private again.

I really feel a difference on the B12 and think just need to get the other bits in balance too so will keep plugging away at it! One plus point is I have never felt so awake in years but don’t want to risk the crash and burn effect if other bits still need attention. Appreciate all the info

Did you lose the weight again once you got it all sorted?

[Marz in reply to Shelley70]

I am now almost 72 - I teach yoga twice a week and swim miles in the summer - but being Hypo makes it difficult to lose weight without a very strict regime. On 1st January I started the Whole30 Eating Plan and lost almost a stone by the end of the month - FAB ! Still some to go !!

Do share your Thyroid results - you can click onto my name above and check me out

[deniseinmilden in reply to Marz]

Thank you Marz. x

[Fiona1039]

Just been reading your post now and can also say I have been on b12 injections for 2 years now and have gained just over 1stone since starting them despite having more energy and being able to exercise more!! After I get an injection I seem to feel bloated etc for around 3-4 weeks all very strange even my fingers etc seem swollen!