Hi all , I'm just about to have my 4th loading dose of b12 of 6. Last week during my first injections I started to feel very fatigued mild shortness of breath every now and again , I have just had my thyroid meds increased as my tsh was still raised and have slowly been improving since starting levothyroxine in June. Last week after first loading doses I almost felt as bad as when I was first diagnosed. Could the b12 be affecting my body's demand for the thyroid hormone or is it normal to feel like this after loading doses? Should I see my gp to get an early increase in thyroid meds?
Many thanks for any help you can give.
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Gmanfooty
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It is not at all unusual to feel worse when a severe B12 deficiency is first being treated.
It might be that you are becoming deficiency in potassium. If you had macrocytic anaemia then your body will be making new red blood cells in a hurry. This can deplete the body's stores of potassium (it doesn't store much). Try eating potassium-rich foods and/or swap over to lo-sodium salt, where some of the sodium chloride is replaced by potassium chloride.
Thanks for your reply just bought coconut water and more bananas! By chance the gp was able to see me after my injection this morning they are going to let me do my bloods a bit earlier to see if my thyroid levels are out and if I need an increase in meds to be fair although I feel worse physically my memory and brain fog seem to have improved over last week.thanjs for your time
I felt worse after my jab, tired and a headache. I make a potassium rich smoothie shot pre and post injection. Also make sure you are taking all your cofactors each day. This will enable the B12 to do its job efficiently. Also seek advice with regards to your thyroid medication. Good luck.
Treat them as pairs that work together & as a group too.
•The B12 spray works as a top up inbetween injections for me. There’s no overdosing on B12 as it’s water soluble vitamin that’s simply passed when you urinate if in excess. My spray says 4 sprays recommended but I spray up to 20 a day if I need. You can get them from Holland & Barrett but it’s MUCH cheaper on Amazon. I would supplement anything below 1000 with a spray & anything below 400ish with injections (if neurological symptoms are prevalent)
I have private B12 injection: Methylcobalamin 5mg every 2-4 weeks (max) depending on my symptoms. The more stressed I am, the more frequent I need it. I also take Adeno B12 lozenges as I have methylcobalamin.
The Doc FINALLY agreed to give me B12 injections but they barely touch the sides with being Hydroxycobalamin 1mg. The new BNF guidelines state every 8 weeks (after your loading doses) but that is no where near enough for B12 sufferers usually.
•You must keep your folate level above 15 & topped up daily.
I take a Folic acid 5mg tablet daily. Some people have reported it makes them feel sick so look into methylfolate, which is the natural non-synthetic form.
•Vit D3 spray from Holland & Barrett is what I have. I find Vit D3 tablets don’t touch me so have now switched to a spray. Vit D ideally needs to be 150-200 if B12 deficient. Vit D also is depleted when injecting B12.
•This must be taken with Vit K2 to ‘direct’ the D3 where it needs to go (bones,teeth etc) I take spray form again from H&B/Amazon.
•Iron tablets (Ferrous Sulfate) are probably the easiest/cheapest option. Over the counter & available without prescription. 200mg. The body apparently can not absorb more than 63mg daily according to the Iron Research Clinic so I only used to take 1 per day even though some docs recommend 3 per day if low ferritin.
It MUST be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before food & with Vit C at the same time (all to help absorption)
Some find Ferrous Sulfate upsets their stomach.
Sprays are also available that bypass the stomach & go straight into the blood stream. My ferritin doubled in 2 months from the Better You Iron spray as tablets weren’t doing much for me.
Tonics are also available.
Your ferritin must be at least 100 & ideally 150-200 if B12 deficient.
Docs will say anything over 20 is fine, it’s REALLY NOT!
•Vit C must be taken along side any form of iron to help absorption
The higher the dose the better, I take Vit C tablet but a few glasses of pure orange juice will also help.
•Magnesium glycinate tablets. Most magnesium tablets that you can buy cheaply are Magnesium oxide. Glycinate are apparently better. In layman’s terms, Magnesium keeps the calcium in the body that the K2 extracts. Check your magnesium levels prior & make sure that any heart meds, diabetes meds etc will not be affected by magnesium supplements.
•Magnesium oil helps aid sleep & restless legs. Rub onto feet only before bed. Rubbed anywhere else will itch & burn like hell if you’re deficient! Magnesium flakes in your bath will also help aching bones/joints. Apparently we absorb 20% more magnesium through our skin than in tablet form.
•Potassium is depleted when injecting B12 so it’s important to keep this topped up. Don’t take tablets unless you know your level, are very low and have checked that it will not affect any existing meds you’re taking. I take a tablet every other day as I was extremely low. Too much and it makes me feel ill.
Ideally get potassium from foods like jacket potatoes. Bananas & coconut water smoothies are great!
Make sure you have as many smoothies as you can pre & post injection.
I would recommend getting a print out of your blood tests from your doctor first to check your levels & check what they’ve tested (if you haven’t already!)
Remind them of the new GDPR law if they are being funny with you. You’re legally entitled to them!
I find those basic 8 don’t give me any problems together but of course do your own research especially if you’re on other medications (eg diabetes meds, blood thinners, heart meds & some nerve damage meds like amitriptyline)
Thank you for your in depth reply I'm in the middle of underactive thyroid and b12 deficiency symptoms which overlap each other so it's difficult at the moment to know which is causing me the most problems. Will take on board your reply and get shopping on Amazon! Thanks again
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