B12 339, folate 5.1. 8 weeks after injection.

[Sheebee]

I have been have B12 every 3 months for a year now (after loading dose in Jan 2018).

I've noticed that symptoms improve but after 8/10 weeks they return (exhaustion, headaches, slight breathlessness, some pins & needles, dizziness at times, some visual disturbances and a bizarre lack of sensation/hot sensation in my face, lip and skull).

I saw my GP, to request it more frequently, who gave me a blood test 8 weeks after my last injection to measure my levels.

The results are B12 339 and folate 5.1.

I've got an appt with him next week and am looking for some advice as I'm worried he'll say that as the results are 'normal' I can't have anymore B12.

Consistently I've got an appt with a neurologist next week too (about migraines not B12 issues), so I will bring it up with him too.

My original results in Jan 18 were b12 125, folate 4.1.

Many thanks in advance!

[Nackapan]

To me that sounds too low . Anyhow once on injections you are not supposed to be tested I thought. When I needed more injections it was the neurologist that wrote to the g.p. so perhaps the neurologist would help with getting your injections more frequently.

At the moment I'm on every other day after initial loading doses 6 weeks ago.

Waiting for no further improvement. I also on tater hooks as although got them as neurologist wrote wonder when the g.p will stop them and change them to 2 or 3 monthly. I'm still not functioning . You must give by your symptoms . All on here told me this .

Hope your appointment goes well and you get the treatment you need.

[Nackapan]

I started at 106 . Didn't realise how inaccurate the serum blood test is anyhow. Do you take supplements and prescribed folic acid?

Those symptoms are familiar and neurological. So I thought you should be on 2 monthly hydroxocobalamin b12 injections if you in the UK?

[fbirder]

Measuring B12 levels after injections have started is pointless and the BCSH recommend not doing it - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Ask your GP to check up on the latest version of the British National Formulary. It says that your injections can be given at 2 to 3 month intervals, so ask for 8 weekly jabs. That's a recent change, so the doc almost certainly doesn't know about it.

Folate is a little low, but nothing to worry about. Try eating more leafy green veg, or take 400 mcg folic acid (the stuff from the supermarket is good) a day.

[Sheebee]

Thanks both.

That's a handy link, I'll print some bits off and give it to the GP,

Will deffo push for injection every 2months.