Degradation of B12 shots after opening new box

[nilsoskaraxel]

Hi everyone,

My need for methylcobalamin is straightforward. When I inject a fresh and potent vial of B12, 90 to 100 % of my symptoms resolve. Five hours later, they return, and I need a new shot.

I’ve done everything in my power to enhance my B12 retention/storage but this is where I am right now. That’s not what I’m asking you to comment on. My problem is the following:

If every injection was of the same quality, I could have a nice and even supply of B12 into my system and basically be symptom free as long as I took my shots.

However, what I’ve noticed and replicated over and over for several years is that the B12 gradually degrades after I’ve opened a new box. They come in lightproof 10-packs, with transparent vials.

What I do to minimize light exposure and temperature fluctuations is that when I open a new box, I go into my dark walk-in closet, which is about 95 % light proof (I can’t see anything in there, but there is a minimal speck of light at the bottom of the door); I transfer each vial into a separate, lightproof aluminum box; I put the ten aluminum boxes in a cooling bag with cooling packs; and I put the cooling bag on the coolest shelf in my fridge.

This takes about two minutes, and it’s the method that yields the least degree of B12 degradation. All other handling procedures have been catastrophic in comparison.

And yet, only the first two or three shots from each box are of good quality. Shot four to six (day two after opening a new box) are slightly degraded, and shots seven to ten (day three) have lost about half of their potency if not more. This means that I slip into B12 deficiency every third day or so, which is no fun.

I’ve replicated this hundreds of times and I always end up with the same result.

Please note that it’s not a matter of the light exposure that occurs when filling up each shot prior to injecting. That’s not a problem, because the first few vials are flawless when prepared that way. The one and only variable that is linkable to the degradation is whether the box is newly opened or not.

I’ve been in touch with the manufacturer and they refer to stability studies that claim outrageous sturdiness of the medicine. Purportedly, their product can endure 15 minutes of light exposure and 14 days in room temperature, which is nonsense according to my in vivo experiences.

If you have any idea how I can make the most of each vial and prevent the degradation, I would be immensely grateful. I would even be happy to send a donation if anyone solves this mystery. It would mean the world to me.

Best regards,

Oskar, Stockholm

[wedgewood]

I’m afraid that I would give up on the Methylcobalamin, and use Hydroxocobalamin, which is nowhere near as vulnerable as the Methyl.

You can obtain Hydroxocobalamin from German online pharmacies , with at least a 2 year use-by date . This does not have to be refrigerated, but kept below 25c and in the dark .

bodfeld-apotheke.de

versandapo.de

amazon.de

search for Rotexmedica B12 Depot . ( single use ampoules 1mg x 1ml )

I have tried Methylcobalamin from Arnika Apotheke in Munich . It was OK For me , but certainly no better than Hydroxocobalamin.

Best wishes .

Sorry that I couldn’t suggest anything to keep your Methylcobalamin more potent . You have done everything possible. It’s just quite unstable compared to Hydroxocobalamin.

[nilsoskaraxel in reply to wedgewood]

That is an interesting option, Wedgewood. I’ve tried hydroxocobalamin in the past and had a poor response back then. Some respond well to it, some don’t. I guess it depends on my genetic makeup—no expert in that area, though. But I can try some hydroxo sublinguals and see what it does for me. If it feels OK the shots may be worth a try. Thanks!

[fbirder in reply to nilsoskaraxel]

There is no known genetic reason why one might not respond to hydroxocobalamin as well as methylcobalamin. Indeed, the science suggests that hydroxocobalamin may, in certain circumstances, be better. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Hydroxocobalamin is also easier to source, is more stable, and tends to be cheaper.

If sublinguals work then there should be no need for injections.

[nilsoskaraxel in reply to fbirder]

Thanks for yor input, Fbirder. I’ve tried all available forms of methylcobalamin, and the only form that completely saturates my need for it is the injectable version. Sublinguals relieve symptoms somewhat but do not resolve them. So I guess it would be the same story with hydroxy even if it ”worked.” But I will at least know whether it feels good or not from the sublingual and can continue from there.

[mountainice in reply to fbirder]

May I ask - I bought 200 hydroxo April 19 and as only injecting 3 month plus gp one (though GP has cut mine now to two months) would they have degraded. I keep them in original box in a dark cupboard - is that ok. They are still in date

[JanD236 in reply to mountainice]

Mountainice your hydroxo will be fine whilst in date and stored as you do. It’s methyl that’s unstable.

[mountainice in reply to JanD236]

Thank you. It is in dated

till Feb 22

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

Sorry, I haven't got an answer to your issue with methylcobalamin but thought you might find these links useful.

Link below mentions support groups in various countries.

b12deficiency.info/very-use...

PAS (Pernicious Anaemia Society)

Based in Wales, UK. Has members in other countries.

pernicious-anaemia-society....

There is a helpline number that PAS members can ring.

Overseas members can use online contact form.