SubCut vs IntraMuscular

[Imogenta]

Does anyone notice a difference in effectiveness when they inject intramuscular vs when they inject subcutaneously?

[fbirder]

There should be no difference. In both cases 100% of the B12 is getting into the body. It will get into the blood more slowly (which is better) via one method. But nobody knows which that is. Even then, the difference is unlikely to be significant (something like three hours instead of four hours).

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

Oh thars good. K wonder why this method sc isnt used more often then

[fbirder in reply to Nackapan]

It's much easier for the nurse to do IM.

Subcut is the preferred method for diabetics to inject insulin.

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

Yes my husband injects 4× daily.

31 g needle! Which I assume as higher number is a fine needle.

Why is it easier for the nurse to do IM for b12 please ? I'm puzzled

[fbirder in reply to Nackapan]

Because you just have to roll up your sleeve and have the needle jabbed in.

Doing it subcutaneously means having to find an acceptably large roll of fat that is also going to be accessible.

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

Oh okay. I was thinking of the actual injecting method.

Yes that's why they also dont give IM in the thigh in the surgery.

[Nackapan in reply to fbirder]

So sub cut is a safe way to have b12 ? I'm thinking of trying that between I'm ones at the surgery if they agree. Seem to need injections at least 2 weekly . Coukd maybe benefit from more?

[Nackapan]

I've read it an take longer to get into the body. How true or proven rhus is I'm not sure.

IM is the most effective

I'm looking Into havu g regulat IM and sc I between. Tablets dont work for me

[fbirder in reply to Nackapan]

It might take longer (which would be a good thing) it might not. Nobody has ever published a study comparing the two routes.

[Bellabab in reply to Nackapan]

Muscles have a very large number of blood vessels so take up cobalamin quickly. Subcutaneous has to move about till it finds a blood vessel hence always slower. There is some evidence that intra venous is the best yet should never be self administered.

[fbirder in reply to Bellabab]

That is the case for some drugs, not all. You cannot predict it.

If B12 got from the fat into blood slower than it got from muscle into blood then that would make subcutaneous injection preferable. It would be a kind of slow release B12.

The kidneys filter B12 from the blood. The more there is in the blood, the more the kidneys pump out. If you dump a load of B12 in the blood very quickly then the kidney removes almost all of it. If you dribble it into the blood slowly then less gets removed by the kidney and more can be stored.

That's why IV is the worst possible route for parenteral B12 (unless you need lots in the blood ASAP, as with cyanide poisoning).

[Nackapan]

Imogenta . Are you thinking of trying sub cut b12 injections?

[Imogenta in reply to Nackapan]

I've been trying subcut for a couple of weeks but it doesn't seem to have as noticeable positive effect. With IM it seems to be stronger and last longer although it is hard to be sure. I may alternate - sub cut is definitely easier to do - it is less intense with a smaller needle and can do in places that are closer to see etc. I wonder how long the IM needle really needs to be to reach the muscle - the shorter the better in terms of psychological impact of self injecting

[Nackapan in reply to Imogenta]

I am hoping to do both. IM at surgery and sc in between ag home.