Weight gain

[Hildadog123]

Hi I was put on cyanocobalamin tablets back in may for vitamin b12 defect but I havnt got petitions anemia. I’ve gained 2 stone since may and still can’t shake this depression and wanting to sleep all the time off . I have 2 children at home and they are suffering . Will the injections help me have more energy and loose the weight ?

[BadHare]

Have you had your folate tested, too? Folate's needed to help B12 work, & is found in lots of foods as well as B supplements..

I don't feel well on cyanocobalamn. Perhaps ask your GP if they can prescribe methylcobalamin, & try a sublingual lozenge that dissolves under the tongue, in case you're not digesting tablets effectively.

[JanD236]

The only definitive test for PA is if you test positive for intrinsic factor antibodies. However, a negative result does not mean that you do not have PA as I understand that it can show false negatives 40-60% of the time. So (assuming your B12d is not diet related) it may be possible that you do have an absorption problem that the tablets are not helping.

I don’t think that B12 in itself would make you change your weight; however, lacking energy, motivation and feeling depressed would certainly not help you eat and exercise in the best way.

So my advice would be to return to your doctor to question what he/she feels is the cause of your B12d if not PA and I would push for injections.

As mentioned by BadHare, I would ask fir your folate to be tested along with iron levels and thyroid.

If you can get yourself well, you’ll have every chance of eating and exercising properly and addressing your weight gain.

Good luck!

[Hildadog123 in reply to JanD236]

Thank you x

[Ryaan]

Having depression is the most likely cause of your weight gain.

So you might be comfort eating and lack of good diet and exercise due to depression could also cause that as most people with depression do put on weight.

If you’re not a vegetarian then you might not be absorbing B12 by having tablets so you might need injections and an injection is a large dose compared to tablets.

B12 injections are also good for depression as I also have it and injections have helped me a lot.

(I self inject 1 every 2 weeks) and it does help with weight loss maybe because you become more active.

The IFA test is not very accurate but if it shows positive then you do have PA.

Also get your Folate and Iron levels checked as they can cause fatigue if low and get Thyroid checked just in case.

If you’re low on Vit D that can cause depression and taking Vit D helps depression quite a bit so make sure these things are at good levels.

Folate, Ferritin(Iron), B12 and Vit D3 are usually the main culprits.

If these are not at good levels you’ll feel terrible so do get them checked out.

Thyroid function if not right can cause weight loss or gain.

Hope this helps and wish you well.

[Hildadog123]

Thanks a lot just can’t wait to feel normal again for my children aswel as myself x