Subcutaneous vs Intermuscular - Pernicious Anaemi...

Pernicious Anaemia Society

32,623 members23,985 posts

Subcutaneous vs Intermuscular

WIZARD6787 profile image
15 Replies

When I go back to the USA I am going to take the information that I now have, mostly gained from this site and go over all my supplements and dosages and do different trials over time. A looking for peak performance type deal.

I am willing to do a trial of intramuscular injections of 1mg of Hydroxocobalamin every other day to gather information. I would like to avoid it.

I have done both subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of Hydrococobalamin and have that experience to draw from, however my body is much different now and the effect may be different. I am also not experiencing the brain fog I was at that time.

So does anyone have any information on the effectiveness of subcutanious vs intermuscular?

I am looking at the whole situation from the prospective that the current standards are 25 years old other than the understanding of co-factors. Does not mean they are not as good as possible nor does it mean that they are.

Written by
WIZARD6787 profile image
WIZARD6787
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
15 Replies
Nackapan profile image
Nackapan

I have both sc at home

Im 4-6 weekly ( if nurse available)

I had 2 yesrs IM only .

2 years a mix.

IM in my experience last no longer.

Which doesn't make sense as deeper and im always hopeful.

IM B12 goes into my sytem quicker.

Sometimes in s overwhelming g way.

Do wee alot.

So in quickly out quickly in my body.?

Sc . Last the same amount of time with me.

I carry on with the same regime as darnt change anything.

As IM the licensed route and i go to the surgery .

I'm still on their radar physically.

With a present 2 weekly NHS prescription.

Awareness / in their face of 2- 3 monthly does not fit all !!

topazrat profile image
topazrat

I do SC at home and have IM at the surgery. I don't see any difference between the two, to be honest.

Orchard33 profile image
Orchard33

I was told by a retired nurse that SC as effective as IM at the amount I inject. I have both, I'm from a professional once a month and weekly+ SI SC.

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot

Hi Wizard

I hope your exploration of Scotland has left you feeling renewed. Safe journey across the pond my friend.

I am under the guidance of a PA specialist. I self inject every other day 1500 mg Hydroxocobalamin sub cutaneous into my tum. It acts quickly. I know this because when I try to extend my time between injections I get very achy teeth and my hands are less stable which make self injecting more of a challenge! With 15 mins or so of an injection my teeth achiness subsides.

The specialist says of that of the 1500mg - body uses what it can in first 6 hours. Approximately 1% only is used by body for repair, 1% stored and the rest excreted in my wee.

My view is that life is short and I want to use every moment and on that note I would rather self inject too often than find the optimal frequency. However I am hopeful of one day achieving twice a week at which point I will reset my goal to once a week which would be nice. Being realistic I doubt this will happen as I find my need for B12 increases substantially when I do physical activities.

Take care Wizard.

WIZARD6787 profile image
WIZARD6787 in reply toWwwdot

Hey Wwwdot, Thank you for your reply! Very helpful!

>>The specialist says of that of the 1500mg - body uses what it can in first 6 hours. Approximately 1% only is used by body for repair, 1% stored and the rest excreted in my wee.

Excellent information!!! This makes sense to me and explains why I feel B12 twice a day makes me feel better and the downturn mid point between B12 supplementation doses.

I too use teeth achiness as a measure. It is now my go to as I can easily tell what is going on with that achiness. At the beginning it was shooting lightning pain. Now I can just tell it is coming other than physical exercise and the achiness is delayed.

What is weird is the worst achiness and pain before is in a tooth that was knocked out and missing, thinking those nerves are the last to heal as they were injured.

Just checking is in 1500 mg or 1500 mcg?

Still two months in Scotland. I might try and find a place in Scotland to open water swim and stay but I have to go back to the USA as my oldest daughter is marrying that boy.

EiCa profile image
EiCa in reply toWwwdot

Wow! We only absorb 1-2 % of an injection and the rest is eliminated? So 1000 mcg. essentially gives us 10 mcg. I thought the general rule for injection was absorption around 10% with less being absorbed with higher doses. (Diminishing returns). I read this many times on Phoenix Rising B12 thread. I thought the tablets, sublingual were absorbed at a much lower rate. (Around 1% of dose) How does anyone get better, if 1% absorption is really true w/o injecting really often. I am on an every 3 week regimen. That would mean only 30 mcg. absorbed every 3 weeks. How does anyone get better on one to 3 monthly?

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toEiCa

I can see your thinking but I don’t know - that’s what the PA consultant said. To be honest I notice that the amount excreted in my urine varies a lot depending on what I do between injections. It may be that he’s generalising to make the point that recovery is a long haul especially when we don’t have the luxury of resting as much as would be beneficial.

EiCa profile image
EiCa in reply toWwwdot

Thank you. I never notice the B12 excreted in my urine. (Smell or color?). I should pay closer attention but it sounds like I should notice.

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toEiCa

I have always had very pale urine as I drink a lot of water but now on B12 defo yellow and a slight fishy odour. When I am due an injection urine is much lighter in colour.

EiCa profile image
EiCa in reply toEiCa

Thank you!

WIZARD6787 profile image
WIZARD6787 in reply toWwwdot

Do you pee more because of taking B12?

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot in reply toWIZARD6787

only you could get away with asking that 🤗😂. I don’t think so. I have always drank a lot of water and that’s not changed. 😁

Wwwdot profile image
Wwwdot

probably mcg - minute amounts are not my forte! As my Sunday roasts testify!!! Lots of yummy veg!

Enjoy and all the best for the wedding - bitter sweet for a parent. 🤗

saatchiB12Z profile image
saatchiB12Z

Hi Wizard,

I self inject IM since 2017. One year every other day - 1 mg in 1 ml Hydroxo.

After one year 1 mg , 2 times a week. Now i self inject 1500 mcg in 1 ml, once a week.

I have tried Methyl and Cyanocobalamin. I feel no difference. I have peripheral neuropathy.

Be happy !

WIZARD6787 profile image
WIZARD6787

Thank you so much. Helpful information. I experienced debilitating peripheral nephropathy after one year of injecting B12 and B6 was a difference maker for me. B6 deficiency is rare although those that do diagnose it most often comment it may just be under diagnosed. The test for B6 is not reliable and it is most often diagnosed clinically then a trial of B6 to confirm or deny. I learned on this site that Pyridoxal 5 Phosphorus is the only form to use as Pryidoxal and Pryidoxal HCL interfere with the body's use of Pyridoxal 5 Phosphorus and can cause peripheral nephropathy over time.

B6 deficiency is seldom diagnosed without other deficiency being present.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Subcutaneous vs Intramuscular injections?

I am looking for information that explores the benefits of subcutaneous vs intramuscular...

Methylcobalamin - intramuscular or subcutaneous?

I have recently obtained a supply of methylcobalamin . I plan to use this as a "top up" to keep me...

Subcutaneous injections

Am now going to look into sc injections to do at home. Can't be at the mercy of the sugery after...
Nackapan profile image

Intramuscular vs subcutaneous administration

Earlier today I posted a guess about IM vs SC administration of B12. I decided to so some looking...
fbirder profile image

Subcutaneous self injecting. Struggling to "pinch an inch"...do I have enough subcutaneous tissue in stomach area?

Hi, new here. My functional health doctor has recommended B12 injections. I had my first dose at a...
MacG profile image

Moderation team

See all
Gambit62 profile image
Gambit62Administrator
Foggyme profile image
FoggymeAdministrator
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.