How much b12 shots

[Joanneconnor]

I have thyroid disease and I am near the bottom of the range for b12 how much to take and when to boost my levels please, self injecting

[sbadd]

Loading dose is normally 6 injections, 1 every second day over 2 weeks, then 1 every 3 months but depends on why low and symptons as people with Pernicious anemia need them for life, there should be others on here with more knowledge to help you as some continue injecting until symptoms improve.

[Joanneconnor in reply to sbadd]

I have the fatigue pins and needles and burning feet, I have already took one injection of 10 units

[sbadd in reply to Joanneconnor]

I also have thyroid hashimotis, my serum b12 was low but active within range but was given injections by nurse at clinic, i didn't do so well with injections as terrible side effects, just know your symptoms will more than likely get worse after injections before they get better and can take awhile to recover, everyone is different though, but you should see gp to rule out pernicious anemia, how do you know your levels are low?

[Joanneconnor in reply to sbadd]

I’m in the very bottom of the range, but I always have pins and needles in my hands and arms, burning hot soles of feet and fatigue that is not thyroid related

[Joanneconnor in reply to Joanneconnor]

I did have low folate but now in the range

[sbadd in reply to Joanneconnor]

Were tests done by gp?

[Joanneconnor in reply to sbadd]

Yes

[clivealive Forum Support]

Be guided by how you feel Joanneconnor as you cannot "overdose" on B12 as any excess is excreted via your urine.

Having thyroid problems may put you at an increased risk of developing a B12 deficiency so "maintenance" injections every two to three months would be good, but again, be guided by how you feel.

Do you have a good diet which includes meat, fish and dairy produce together with leafy green vegetables for Vitamin B9 - Folate?

I am not a medically trained person.

I wish you well

[Joanneconnor in reply to clivealive]

No my diet is not brilliant, I have Hashimotos, primary Billiary cerrossis, and am gluten and lactose intolerant

Thanks

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to Joanneconnor]

All that may well explain why your B12 level is low as you are not absorbing it efficiency via your digestion so injections are a good idea

[Joanneconnor in reply to clivealive]

Oh ok thanks

[JanD236]

Once you start self injecting you will never be able to get a diagnosis of low B12 (unless you stop supplementing for 4 months). I feel that it would be worthwhile trying to get a diagnosis first if at all possible. Then you’re GP will hopefully be on side with treatment.

Are you able to arrange a test of active B12? I’m assuming you’re in the UK like me, so just to mention that when my serum B12 result came back low, the lab also checked for active B12 (also low and so this confirmed my B12d). I’m aware that not all GPs/labs do this. Alternatively a test of MMA might be useful. If this had a high result it points to a B12 deficiency.

If your GP is unwilling to help with these further tests it is possible to arrange them privately.

There is a very small but possible chance of a severe allergic reaction to a B12 injection and so it’s always advisable to have that first B12 injection given by a health professional or at least someone with relevant training.

[Joanneconnor]

I actually don’t want a diagnosis I have a lot of autoimmune problems and just hoping theses will help, I have already took my first 10 units when should I take the next?

[Xeniav]

Knowledge is strength. Whether or not you get a diagnosis, you probably have pernicious anemia. BTW, it is genetically linked to Hashimotos. It comes with a lack of stomach acid. For people with neuropathy symptoms, like you, most doctors recommend continuing to inject every two days until the symptoms stop improving. But, I am not a doctor.

[Clare_oxo]

Hi. I’m in same boat with hashimoto’s and vitiligo and PA diagnosed over a year ago. A hat trick. I live in Spain and they are totally up to speed with PA. I have monthly injections and will have endoscopy every two years. They have also tested me for diabetes, Addison’s disease etc which are all auto immune. Can’t fault the system here and my doctor is happy to change timings as I see her every 6 to 12 months for this. As others have said it depends on how you feel. Everyone is different.

[Fisylvia in reply to Clare_oxo]

Hi, I have same conditions as yourself. I moved to Spain a few years ago and find that the GP had no idea about PA and B12 ...he told me to stop injections as levels are high ( which of course they will be after 15 years of injections!) I pay to have them done at a clinic ( I buy my own Hydroxo. on line.

[Clare_oxo in reply to Fisylvia]

Hello Sorry to hear that your GP is not up to speed. With regard to stopping injections. Would you be happy to self inject. You can but B12 capsules in pharmacies without a prescription.

[Fisylvia in reply to Clare_oxo]

Hi, thank you for your kind reply...Yes I am thinking about SI..when I pluck up the courage! I have always been on Hydroxo. but it is very difficult to get hold of it online at the moment..I would have to go on cyano. as that's what they use here and I would have no problem buying this on line....I am a bit worried about changing ...not sure if It is as good as Hydroxo...I know I would have to inject every month as opposed to the recommended 3 months with Hydroxo. I have always had the injections IM ...would I get the same effect from SQ injection?

[Clare_oxo in reply to Fisylvia]

Hello. Yes I use cyano as you say it is what they use in Spain. I do not know if its effectiveness is any less than hydroxo I’m afraid. I SI monthly vía IM. Once you get the hang of it it is not an issue. Have been doing this at home since covid as they stopped injecting at the doctors surgery and I have not had any problems and my blood results are always good. Good luck!

[Fisylvia in reply to Clare_oxo]

thank you...I’m sure I’ll pluck up the courage eventually !

[Joanneconnor]

So she im going to take 10iu (units)( I use a diabetes injection) every other day to see if there’s an improvement, this seems a lot to inject in one injection

[Judithdalston in reply to Joanneconnor]

Interesting to see you ‘use a diabetes injection’...do you mean a ‘pen’ that has a button on the side you just press to get small needle and B12 in? Just a am diabetic, thus used to insulin pen, and going down b12 self injecting route, and such a wimp I would really appreciate a pen injector ( have seen a self injector that has a pen type button parallel to a syringe, but you still have to inject/push syringe), so where have you got b12 pen from?

[Joanneconnor in reply to Judithdalston]

No it’s not a pen it’s just says injections for diabetes when I bought them sorry, they’re not a skinny needle though 😕 my twin sis has diabetes and she has a pen you twist for amount pierce skin and press the end we’re in uk do NHS