NHS Link about Hydroxycobalamin

[Sleepybunny]

Hi All,

Wondered what you thought about the info in this NHS link about Hydroxycobalamin.

nhs.uk/medicines/hydroxocob...

I don't think the comment that the most common cause of B12 deficiency in the UK is PA (Pernicious Anaemia) is accurate.

I suspect the most common cause of B12 deficiency in UK is diet.

The info in link is being reviewed in September 2022.

[fbirder]

Most common cause is PA?

Not according to this paper - ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to fbirder]

the study referenced would appear to be quoting world wide prevalence rather than prevalence specific to the UK.

[fbirder in reply to Gambit62]

That's true, dietary deficiencies will be more common in some other countries.

Nice recon PA is the most common cause in the UK and USA.

[Nackapan]

Yes I've seen this. The testing of levels contradicts the responses to treatment.

As we know.

Ii read this when first ill and it sounded so straight forward!!

Nor even mentioned different causes

Deficiencies alongside it

Anamia

Symptoms

So very lacking

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Dietary B12 deficiency tends to be more common in specific countries and is more common where access to animal products is severely restricted.

Article itself didn't impress me.

[Janma123]

It also completely ignores the PPI and metformin induced deficiencies.

[jaybirdxNHM]

Surely the comment about blood tests after injections is wrong .And list of side effects would be off putting and probably wrong also.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to jaybirdxNHM]

Yes, the comment about blood tests after injections is wrong. Why measure what you have just put in ? Why test at all when patient still has symptoms ? Far better if the patient is not responding to the injections to check what MMA is doing, surely. Yes also the list of B12 deficiency symptoms is missing completely, more worryingly some symptoms seem to have been added instead to the list of B12 side-effects: for instance, one of my initial symptoms was daily diarrhoea. This was once, according to Martyn Hooper, commonly acknowledged as a symptom of B12 deficiency, one that medical profession seems unaware of now. Similarly, headaches, for many people, are one of the most debilitating of their B12 deficiency symptoms.

The only side effect that I am aware of is the appearance of acne-like spots soon after injections begin. This is usually temporary and mild, confined to hairline, face, ears and a small price to pay. For the unfortunate few, this is ongoing and more widespread.

[LFKent]

"If you miss having your injection, the level of vitamin B12 in your body will go down further. This may make your health problems worse."

In this statement the NHS clearly accepts that missing an injection may cause health problems to worsen.

Might this be a helpful point of reference for anyone who has their treatment withheld, delayed or withdrawn?

[Cherylclaire Forum Support in reply to LFKent]

An excellent point: could well help those looking to get their B12 injections reinstated.