Is the doctor ignoring my Vitamin problem?

[Leonroger]

20 year old male from INDIA

8 months ago i was diagnosed with a b12 and D problem(very low levels)

Levels were VITAMIN D : 42.7 nmol/L (75-250 range)

VITAMIN B12: 119 pg/mL (211-911 range)

After getting 4 shots and supplementing(mbalmin 500mcg) for 8 months my B12 levels have risen to 272 pg/ml

i find this surprising as i eat a lot of MEAT and EGGS on a daily basis.I have the typical symptoms of b12 deficiency like Fatigue ,Tingling in hands etc

The problem is doctor told me that just because 272 is in the range,it is normal and i shouldnt worry.Reading up on b12 has made me realize that this is a true low level despite being in the range.

The doctor even told me that this level is common for people. What kind of doctor should i go to ?Who will take this problem seriously? Should i go to a blood disorder doctor? The general physician who originally diagnosed me didnt even wanted to get me on shots just supplements . WHAT SUGGESTIONS WOULD YOU GUYS GIVE,DOES IT SEEM LIKE A b12 problem or overthinking?

[Nackapan]

Go by your symptoms

You must be absorbing supplements for your level to go up? ?even though not by much

Keep taking the supplements in smaller doses through the day.

Have vitamin C with your meat.

Keep a diary. Have you had all the relevant blood tests. Folate intrinsic factor test. If not get theses done off supplements .

You know your body.

If you think injections helped before push for more at least a maintenence.

[JMN2017]

Would you just clarify something, please, Leonroger ? You say you had 4 injections then suppliments for 8 months. What form did the 'suppliments' take, ie tablets, injections, sub-lingual etc???

When a person has B12 injections, it's usual for their B12 levels to subsequently be up in the 2000's, certainly well at the top of the range. So, I'm wondering if you have been 'supplimenting' with a form other than injection after your initial 4 injections!!!

If that's the case, it would indicate that you're not absorbing the B12 in your current medication form and that you need injections.

If, however, your 'suppliments' for the last 8 months have been by injection, then I would suggest you maybe need much more frequent injections. Also, what dose of injections and how often have you been having them?

[Leonroger in reply to JMN2017]

The supplements were oral ,Mecobalamin(500mcg/tab once a day).

Plus got a good egg and meat diet,so was expecting to get some b12 from there too

[JMN2017 in reply to Leonroger]

Hi again

So, did you only have the 4 injections, then oral suppliments? If so, you clearly don't absorb the oral suppliments!

I suspect that, by the time your blood was taken, it was some considerable time since your last injection??? That would then explain why your B12 level was still very low after 'treatment'

I would suggest you visit your GP again, give him/her a list of your symptoms, explain you clearly don't absorb orally and, hopefully, persuade him you need regular injections, starting with proper initial loading doses, as per NICE guidelines and 8-12 weekly injections for the remainder of your life

Good luck and hope you can get your GP to comply, which isn't likely to be easy. Start a new post as/when you need further help, eh?

[Dickydon]

I’m afraid to say, most doctors are the same these days; even the old Skool ones have become brainwashed to the corporate greed of the accountants and whoever else needs their 2 dollars worth. Budgets cut further; number of patients outgrowing the number of GPs available and so on... you just have to be persistent with them I find is the best answer! Respectful yet persistent.

[Litatamon]

stichtingb12tekort.nl/weten...

Get this article to your doctor before your next appointment and see if it helps. It is concise and I don't think it would come across as aggressive in any manner.

Before would give her/him time to take it in before you discuss and *might* be less threatening.

Look at #4 and 5 for pertinent information about your case.

Your doctor sees b12 as a normal and low reading, off/on issue. It is not. It is, unfortunately, a very common misconception.

I just found out that my sister was as low as 87 at some point. And her office would do the same thing --- "Okay you're in the normal range now, you're fine." She's really suffered because of this erroneous thought process. And how would a patient know better? It's criminal what is going on with the lack of education for medical professionals in this area.

I have two loved ones that were told they were low b12 and nothing more. No guidance. No shots. No nothing. And of course since it is a vitamin one might think "Okay I will get to it, I will add some more protein."

So at least your doctor is one step ahead of that nonsense!

My province is really trying to push b12 pills right now. Of course to save money.

Try to educate your doctor. If that works, you are not just helping yourself, you're helping so many others.

If one last try doesn't help, do what you need to do for your health and well-being. Look into self-injecting and see if that might be a good fit for you.

Best of luck with everything.