I tried to get my doctor to give me b12 injections every 8 weeks instead of every 12. I was retested 6/7 weeks after my injection and told my lb12 level was within range.
Now, I know that this doesn’t mean much but it seems to me that it is almost impossible to convince a doctor to give one more regular injections if ones b12 remains within range after 6 weeks of having an injection.
How far above normal does it need to be?
I’ve read on here that the doctor needs to treat the symptoms regardless of the levels but I doubt that this seems logical to a doctor. If a glass is full or virtually full, why would one fill it further - this seems to be their thinking.
Written by
Alfabeta
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It is one of the mysteries of P.A. Different people need B12 injections at different intervals that keep the symptoms at bay . It is the symptoms that need treating , not the blood test results . Until this becomes official practise in the NHS. the suffering that patients go through will not cease. In my circle of acquaintances, I know 3 people with P.A. One needs 2 injections a day , one needs 1 about every month , another , my immediate neighbour , is fine on one every three months . I need a weekly injection . It is not known why this is so . If your GP will not recognise this , and refuses to budge , you have to take your health and well-being into your own hands , as two of the above people have had to do . This means self-injections,at intervals that keep the symptoms at bay (and what a huge choice we have of those ! ) Or, if you have the necessary financial resources , you can get injections privately . That’s how it is I’m afraid . The only good thing is, that if you buy the necessary items in bulk , a self- injection need cost not much more than £1.30 . A trip to the surgery could cost more than that .
The guide lines regarding B12 injections , have recently been changed , so you should be able to get an injection every two months . I’m sure that someone will give you the reference for you to down load it . Best wishes .
"I was retested 6/7 weeks after my injection and told my lb12 level was within range."
BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines below indicate that retesting B12 levels after treatment has started is unnecessary.
There is a useful summary of B12 documents in third pinned post on this forum which mentions issue of retesting after treatment has started.
If you have neuro symptoms eg tingling, pins and needles, tinnitus, tremors, restless legs, memory problems, balance problems etc UK guidelines indicate jabs should be every 2 months.
BSH guidelines indicate that patients with cobalamin (B12) deficiency with neuro symptoms should have a B12 loading jab every other day for as long as symptoms continue to improve then a jab every 2 months. This applies to all causes of B12 deficiency even diet.
Flowchart from BSH Cobalamin and Folate Guidelines
I am very fortunate in that I have 'trained' my surgery to give me injections every 6 weeks. It's been about 15 years since i was first diagnosed and it took some time to establish what was right for me. I now feel untroubled by the condition apart from residual tingling on left side hand and leg. I am anxious that I am very much at the mercy of the GP and can't move house to a different area and risk poorer medical care.
My tip is to make appointments just a few days earlier each time. If asked cite a reason like you are about to go on holiday for a few weeks and want to have sufficient energy to enjoy it! Once your injections are closer on a regular basis the nurse will quibble the point less as a pattern has been set. I never see the GP on the subject and rarely for anything else just in case they want then to review all my meds!!!
Persevere,keep a positive attitude at the surgery, so they dont think your reqyest is unreasonable!!!
Have you got a practice nurse at your surgery that you get on well with? I spoke to one of the nurses at my surgery about my symptoms and asked if I could get my B12 every 8 weeks - she spoke to one of the GPs and know I get my injections 8 weekly.
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