Confused

[Tweddelly]

Hi, hoping someone can advise. I am going to request a b12 test from my GP after suffering many years of unusual symptoms which include the long list associated with PA. My GP did all sorts of tests but at no point mentioned B12. 4 years ago after no help from my GP I did my research on nutrition, health etc and changed my lifestyle which included ditching gluten (Gp diagnosed IBS) which was the best thing I have ever done, detoxing due to systemic candida, (which worked), eating more healthier and taking high doses of B complex vits along with a range of other essential nutrients. All of which helped no end with tiredness and my energy levels but the neuropathy symptoms remain, tingling on the scalp, twitchy nerves in legs, aches and pains, brain fog etc.

After reading all the advice about the tests I am worried my GP will send me on my way as ‘self diagnosing, all in my head etc’ and the tests prove negative as I have taken supplements for years, so my question is, how safe is it to take B12 injections if the tests prove inconclusive?

I am going to ask for a therapeutic course to see if they improve the symptoms but if not, I’m tempted to buy my own. Is this safe?

Many thanks all.

[wedgewood]

It is absolutely safe to inject oneself with B12 ,as many people on this forum will testify. You do need to observe strict hygiene obviously . It’s a great comfort to know that you can’t overdose . I have been self-injecting weekly for 3 years now , because the bog standard 3 monthly treatment was totally insufficient . I do have a diagnosis of P.A. , but it’s often difficult to get , because It’s notoriously unreliable if there is a negative result . Do try to see if you can get a course from your doctor . And even if your problems are not helped by B12 injections , you know that you haven’t done yourself any harm at all . Best wishes .

[Tweddelly in reply to wedgewood]

Thank you. Is there a big difference to the supplements and injections. I’m taking a b complex which has 24mcg of b12 amongst other things. All organic plant based. Should these help with all b12 deficiencies or Do the injections only help resolve the neurological symptoms?

My husband is also being tested, results in tomorrow but he has a different set of symptoms to me. Seem to be fatigue and brain fog mostly.

Thanks for your advice. 😀

[wedgewood in reply to Tweddelly]

There is a difference if you have PA , because that means you have not got the ability to absorb B12 in your stomach due to lack of stomach acid and the Intrinsic Factor . The Intrinsic Factor is needed only by Vitamin B12 to assist in absorbtion . Stomach acid is required by all other vitamins and minerals to assist in breaking down food to obtain nutrients . PA is an autoimmune condition which produces antibodies that attack the parietal cells in the stomach . These cells produce both stomach acid and the Intrinsic Factor . B12 from food sources can only be obtained from animal products . Meat , fish eggs and other dairy products . Injections by-pass the stomach , and so is the most efficacious way of getting B12 into the system . PA patients do not benefit from B12 supplements in tablet form . Injections are required , and they must be life-long . There is no cure for P.A. That said , as long as one gets enough B12 injections ( and everyone has different requirements ) you can live a normal healthy life .

IBS - like symptoms often accompany PA ,due to the lack of stomach acid .( causes low/no stomach acid—Hypochlorhydria/Achlorhydria ) This upsets the stomach flora .

fbirder has pointed out to you other reasons for low stomach acid . You now need to find out if you have PA .

Martyn Hooper , the founder and chairman of PAS, has written books on PA . ( Amazon ) it might be interesting for you to read them . Best wishes .

[saltrock]

For the 5th time in nearly 2 years (after having many test via the neuro, all came back negative) I went to my GP about b12. My blood result was 243 which is in range. Even though I have had lots of neurological symptoms in this time they have point blank refused to give me a trial of b12 injection, am seeing the neuro end of the month and will run it past him and see what he thinks as he said he was stumped with a diagnosis. I have been taking b12 supplements for the last year and when I tried not taking them I went rapidly down hill.They have suggested i come off the supplements and retest. In the last week I changed from cyanoccolbamin (is that the right spelling?) to methylcobammin 1000mcg twice a day and found an improvement. I too have pins and needles on my scalp amongst other weird things, BUT they have reduced a little in severity. Look up Dr Chandy and his support page b12d.org I have found it very helpful. It seems that it depends on your GP as my friend went to her GP after having similar symptoms as me and he looked at her levels and said although they were in range they were on the low normal side and he goes by symptoms not the blood result. I think i'll change GP's!!!! Good Luck

[Tweddelly in reply to saltrock]

Hi. Where do you get your b12 from. I can’t find supplements with that amount of 1000mcg. Thanks.

[saltrock in reply to Tweddelly]

I ordered mine from amazon Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin 1000mcg 180 Tablets (6 Month Supply) by Nutribioticals