B12 tablets: Hi everyone I can see many... - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,679 members24,077 posts

B12 tablets

Pikachu74 profile image
18 Replies

Hi everyone I can see many of you are struggling to get your injections so just a little advice that may help. I found out a little while ago you can now take a daily tablet instead of having the injections as my injections run out quite quickly so I have been on them for quite some time now so may be worth having a chat with your gp’s and seeing if that would be a possibility for you 🤞😊 xx

Written by
Pikachu74 profile image
Pikachu74
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
wedgewood profile image
wedgewood

I’m afraid most people with diagnosed Pernicious Anaemia cannot benefit from oral supplementation, due to lack of intrinsic factor and stomach acid .

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply towedgewood

wedgewood PA does not mean that there isn't any passive absorption

We have at least one person with a confirmed diagnosis of PA on this forum who finds that sprays do help them clivealive . It is true that passive absorption is very variable from individual to individual. This literature review shows that this is common to a number of conditions that cause problems absorbing B12 and is not unique to PA

see table 3

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply toGambit62

I did state “ MOST people with P.A. cannot benefit from B12 oral supplementation “. Whilst fbirder wrote that” people with P.A. cannot absorb B12 from the gut , so tablets are useless . “

Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator in reply towedgewood

but wedgewood , if you read the article and look at table 3 you will see that it isn't most (ie >50%) - but it is a significant number of people who don't benefit - regardless of the cause of absorption problem. Passive absorption happens along the gut outside the terminal ileum and will only work if high dose is used - >1000mcg - possibly much higher.

fbirder profile image
fbirder

You are very fortunate if tablets work for you.

Unfortunately, people with Pernicious Anaemia cannot absorb B12 from the gut. So tablets are useless.

JanD236 profile image
JanD236

You are very lucky that with a B12 deficiency you find that tablets help.

If you read through the posts on this forum you’ll see that this is contrary to the experience of very many people, myself included.

wedgewood profile image
wedgewood in reply toJanD236

It does depend on the reason for the deficiency.—- P. A. patients cannot absorb the tablets .

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

I'm really pleased that work for you. Atd they as well as I jectilns though . Toh say injections dont last long. ?

I've tried tablets sprays ect. Ivr no diagnosis of PA . I can not absorb them .

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

Have the tablets replaced all injections ?

If so how lovely.

Wont work for many though including me without a diagnosis of PA

Xena2202 profile image
Xena2202

What I have read about this is if you don’t have intrinsic factor, the only way you can absorb b12 is through passive diffusion, which generally is said to be about 1% of the total dose. So if you take a 1000mcg tablet every day for a month, you absorbed a max of 10mcg a day, or about 300mcg for the month. The problem is that this is not guaranteed to happen and it’s likely you could be absorbing significantly less than that. Whereas a shot is 100% absorbed and even though a lot is excreted quickly, it’s still much more efficient at delivering a therapeutic dose for b12 deficiency.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toXena2202

If you could absorb 20 mcg a day, by taking two tablets, then you wouldn't need injections at all. Indeed, it would be better than injections. Because you would have a constantly high level of B12 in your blood.

An injection gives you a massive amount, which then drops to a low amount. That's why researchers are looking for a slow-release injection.

Xena2202 profile image
Xena2202 in reply tofbirder

Based on the research I can find, even with no parietal cells you should be able to absorb about 1% of an oral dose through passive diffusion. I am actually thinking about trying tablets because what I’ve read is promising about this, I know a lot of people have said they don’t work but research so far says it does. I’ve never tried it before so why not

Retteacher profile image
Retteacher in reply toXena2202

What research? Only two small number of patients studies are quoted which were and are no proof at all.

fbirder profile image
fbirder in reply toXena2202

You'll have to provide a link to that research. Because almost all of it is in in people with a B12 deficiency. Not in people with PA. They make no effort to determine if the subjects had a dietary deficiency, or were taking PPIs or metformin.

It is highly suspicious that these studies find that about 10 mcg of a 1000 mcg oral dose in absorbed 'passively'. Yet studies in people who do not have PA find that about 10 mcg of a 1000 mcg oral dose is absorbed by the IF method.

Surely those people should absorb 10 mcg via IF, plus 10 mcg passively.

But every study I've seen has shown that if you put 1000 mcg of B12 in somebody's mouth they will absorb about 10 mcg. Why do people without PA not absorb 20 mcg?

Xena2202 profile image
Xena2202 in reply tofbirder

I tried just using tablets for about 4 days bc I was out of injections anyway, and it not enjoyable. I’m going to keep taking sublingual every day just bc, but I think you’re right that it’s not a viable treatment for pa. I think the fact that my stomach has trouble digesting things hinders the passive absorption if there even is any

Xena2202 profile image
Xena2202 in reply toXena2202

Immediate relief upon IM injection

Nackapan profile image
Nackapan in reply toXena2202

I've tried. I cannot take enough tablets to keep enough b12 in my system

I dont know the science bug I know my body

Cherylclaire profile image
CherylclaireForum Support

Glad that you have had success with B12 tablet.

We all seem to be very different - from symptoms experienced to the frequency of B12 needed. It can make diagnosis and appropriate treatment difficult. Stabilising this condition long-term can be a bit of a nightmare. With folate, ferritin and vitamin D issues too, even more of a tangle, especially initially. Many people here also have other autoimmune issues to contend with: thyroid, psoriasis, vitiligo etc.

I have never had any improvement at all from Boost spray.

Never yet had a day without symptoms in five years either, but still working towards that as a goal.

So, no miracle cures for us - but plenty of personal trial and error to find a balance.

I would agree with Xena2202 - I'd need something more reliable in terms of treatment.

I doubt if a tablet would be sufficient for me, particularly since there is also evidence of malabsorption of other vitamins and minerals.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

B12 injections swapped for tablets!!

I recently received a text from my GP saying they had cancelled my next B12 injection and were...
lpmsjrb profile image

Sublingual B12 tablets

Hello everyone *Pernicious Anemia sufferer* I just thought I would share something that has...
Teriburke profile image

Methylcoalmine b12 tablets

I read in a post I now cannot find that this form of b12 can give some people side effects? Have...
Nackapan profile image

B12 levels whilst on B12 injections..

Hi just out of interest, those on 12 weekly B12 injections via the NHS, what should your b12 level...
mistygrey profile image

B12

I was wondering about the B12 Didnt get MMA test and don't know where i am in folate previous test...
Advice1 profile image

Moderation team

See all
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
taka profile image
takaAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.