How long do b12 injections last?

[Linmareth]

I ask because my doctor says it is stored in body for up to 6 months but I see some people have every other day. I have every 12 weeks and it's not often enough

[fbirder]

Your doctor is going by the old BSH guidelines which are wrong. Send them the new ones -

b-s-h.org.uk/media/18259/bs...

In people without an absorption problem B12 in the liver is excreted in the bile, then reabsorbed from the small intestine. If you have an absorption problem then that B12 doesn't get reabsorbed.

[Linmareth in reply to fbirder]

That explains it thanks. I'll take these with me next time I go

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Have a look at my replies in this link to another thread on the forum about someone whose B12 injections have been affected by impact of pandemic.

You may find the some of the info useful.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

The BSH guidance in the link is now out of date so make sure GP is using the up to date guidance that fbirder mentioned.

I wrote a very detailed reply on another forum thread with links to symptoms lists, causes of b12 deficiency, info about PA tests, B12 books, B12 websites, UK B12 documents and other B12 info which you might find helpful.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

I am not medically trained.

[Linmareth in reply to Sleepybunny]

Than you I'll have a look

[Midnight_Voice]

We suspect it is activity related - I don’t think I’ve seen that published anywhere, but intuitively it seems to make sense.

Anecdotally though, our normal frequency is four-weekly; on our recent world cruise we had to shorten the period to fortnightly; and under lockdown, it seems to lengthening a bit.

Even the most generous BSH Guidelines frequency though, of two months, is no good to anyone who can’t retain and use their B12 2-4 times better than that.

And the recent, understandable (but misguided) attempt to switch people onto oral B12 during the Covid-19 pandemic, a further worry for those who rely on injections at their medical practice at a time when we (and they) have quite enough to worry about, needn’t be a further worry to, or a burden on the NHS from, those who SI.