Vit b12 recommendation

[Job387]

Hi all,

I've finally after 10 days managed to speak to a Dr about my Serum Vitamin B12 levels which were slightly below the threshold- 169 ng/L (Range:187 - 883 ng/L)

As a starting point, he wants me to take B complex vitamins over the counter. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I know with pernicious anaemia, alot of you all will be taking injections, but I need further blood tests to confirm whats going on, so any recommendations would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks!!!

[Job387]

...just to add, do I also need to take folic acid 🤔 i forgot to ask the dr and he didn't mention it?

[fbirder in reply to Job387]

You only need folic acid if your levels are low.

However, all women of childbearing potential are advised to take 400 mcg of folic acid a day. So I would take that much.

[Job387 in reply to fbirder]

Thank you so much, very helpful reply 🙂

[waveylines]

A b complex would not address your low b12 level and am afraid shows your doctors ignorance! Can you speak to another doctor in the practise?

Unless you are a vegetarian and have not been taking b12 supplements to address the lack of b12 in your diet your GP should indeed be investigating further. Do you have PA in your family or Vitiligo? If it isnt due to a diet lacking in B12 then your GP should start you on a course of injections and run tests to check your bloods, intrinsic factor. What symptoms do you have?

If its due to a vegetarian diet then high strength b12 tablets may resolve the matter.

Have a look at the B12d.org site. They have a symptom checker you can do to help you decide next steps.

[Job387 in reply to waveylines]

Thank you very much for your reply, I didn't know that vitiligo in the family would put me at higher risk of this type of anaemia (my dad has it!) I've requested a call back from the Dr this morning requesting tests for PA - hope he agrees otherwise I will pay to have it done privately. Thanks for your advice.😀

[Gambit62 Administrator]

what is your diet like ie is there any grounds for thinking that your deficiency is dietary in origin. B12 is only found in animal products so if you avoid or eat very little of those you could have a dietary deficiency and the B complex - would help. If that isn't the case, and particularly if you have any neurological symptoms such as tingling/numbness in hands and feet - then you really do need injections to get your levels up quickly.If your deficiency isn't dietary then you will need to take a supplement containing 1000mcg+ of B12 but even then it will take a long time to address the deficiency ... they are better used for maintenance but significant numbers of people find that oral doses just don't work for them at all.

[Job387 in reply to Gambit62]

I eat alot of meat so this shouldn't be the cause. I have had a really bad flare up of IBS the past few weeks so I wonder if this would have had an impact on me absorbing vit b12?

[Hidden in reply to Job387]

Hi Job387.I have confirmed pernicious anemia and I also suffered from HPylori and terrible ibs.Since my last triple therapy treatment for the HPylori I’ve recovered well but I’ve noticed since I’ve been self injecting in between my three monthly shots at docs(,I do alternate day injections) my so called ibs is practically non existent,I am as gluten free as I can be although it still sneaks through and I’m lactose free as I’m intolerant to both,ive had colonoscopy and two biopsies and all clear.I’m certain it’s been correcting the b12 deficiencies,the vit d and the folate deficiencies that has helped correct the gut issues and also bladder issues,no more sneezy leaks etc lol.

Id suggest you get your bloods updated then based on your results optimise any deficiencies you have,if your unsure post your results with ranges here and the lovely members will advise.best of luck