Is it safe to inject b12 shots for vitamin b12 level of 165pg/ml?

[Emiroskui]

Hello dear friends

My b12 result came back 165pg/ml that lab normal values were 160-950.

I visit a internist doctor. She said your values is within the normal range. I started to explain her my symptoms like sense of dizzyness. All time feel sleeppy. Very low energy that become tired after 2 hour doing normal jobs. I become very soon hungry ane have some trouble in balance. But not that serious. I have a reaction like throwing away of water when i drinking water. Very sudden reaction even not a second after drinking water. Especially when i drink water at standing up position. But no problem with eating food. Also weak muscles. She said its maybe a psychological problem but not a b12 deficiency. I searched here and googleed so many webs and many of them pointed the range between 200-300 or even 400 as sub normal. And below the 200 as deficiency. Mine was 165. I also took a view of my father b12 test that his level was 470 and 560 in different tests. So long story short, i decided to take loading dose of 5 or 6 shits of 1mg b12 IM shot by myself. And i think its not dangerous for my low level of b12 vitamin. I should also add that my cbc results generally comes normal. But many of them has raised MCH level. I mean 32 (lab normal ranges is 24-31)but my MCH generally come back as 32 or 33. Also some times my HGB comes back near its top level like 17 or 17.5.

I appreciate any help and advices about injection of loading dose of b12 shots to see if my symptoms clear s off.

[Nackapan]

Different labs fo different ranges.Your result only just in range.

Hope you have benefited from b12 injections .

[Emiroskui in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you for your reply. Do you think im deficient by this level. Im not vegan. I eat products like milk and meat regularly. But i think i have absorption problem that my level is in low normal range. Im confused whether what the reality is? Labs range of 160 or being below 300 or even 400 🤔🤕. Very confused😵‍💫😵‍💫

[Technoid in reply to Emiroskui]

Lab ranges vary considerably and what is considered to be a deficient level varies between countries. It is possible to have significant, serious B12 deficiency symptoms with a low, normal or even high serum B12. This is why diagnosis needs to be based on symptoms. You will see hundreds of cases in this forum where doctors tried to convince someone they were not B12 deficient based on serum results, but in the end, their symptoms responded to B12 injections, indicating they were deficient.

With a serum B12 result barely in the normal range, it is quite possible you are B12 deficient. There could also be any number of other issues going on too (I have no idea of any other medical conditions you have and I am not medically trained) but it is NOT possible to rule out a B12 deficiency from the fact that your serum result is only barely in range.

You could ask for a more specific test such as MMA but your GP is unlikely to grant it if they consider your B12 result "in range". Some get this checked privately. There is no gold standard test for B12 deficiency.

It is possible to be B12 deficient without anaemia.

B12 is not toxic at any dose so there are no safety concerns in that respect.

First injection ahould be under medical supervision in case of (extremely rare) anaphylactic shock.

[Emiroskui in reply to Technoid]

Thank you for your very accurate and helpful answer. I agree with you that there is no any specific value or number to determine whether its deficient or not. From the point that i live with my father and consume almost same foods and meals, i can guess that it should be an absorption problems with me. Because her vitamin b12 tests came as 470 to 500 pg/ml without being injected any b12 shot. But mine is in very low level. Comparing 500 pg/ml to my 160pg/ml maybe requires more awareness. I had a vitamin b12 test also about 9 years ago and it was 365pg/ml (200-835).but 9 years later it lowered as 165pg/ml. (160-945).comparing these two level give me a clue that my level dropped below what it was. So im going to inject 5 shot of 1mg IM Vit B12 and hope my symptoms relieves. 😊💐. Thanks

[Nackapan in reply to Emiroskui]

Now you've had your b12 Ioading injections there is no point in testing levels anymore as they will be elevated.Go by symptoms and ruling other stuff out.

If your folate was borderline too you could take a modest folic acid supplement or multivit

It sounds like an absorption problem or if on any other medication that could also hinder absorbtion too.

Do get follow up blood tests to check on iron/ ferritin vit D folate as if it is an absorbtion problem these things csn get low too.

See another doctor .

I had to go through 6 to get one that listened !!

[Emiroskui in reply to Nackapan]

I forgot to say that 2 years ago i tested b12 level. Results came back 194pg/ml(190-665).so i injected 5 shots every week and i was well or maybe so so. After a while about 5 month after injections (i didnt continue once a month injection during this period of 5 month) i tested again. It was 370pg/ml. My level had been raised from 194 to 370 in this period. Afer about 2 or 3 month i felt like very stabbing pains in my foot toes and very sharp pain s. Also felt like my skull inside top side is dry and numb. I even couldn't stand and walk for buying a simple sandwich. Felt very moody and angry and couldn't tolerate any sound or voice. I had a very different sense of afraid from every where every body. I got tested again vit b12 and it was dropped again from 370 to 160. So i think that was related to absorption or b12 problem that it dropped again.

[tomdickharry]

Always safe whatever your level. B12, except cyano-form, totally no-toxic. Any excess is excreted. A few side effects like a rash, acne, and maybe palpitations. There are claims that overuse can itself cause deficiency symptoms, but opinions differ.