B12 injection advice please

[Paula1710]

I developed a B12 deficency in 2016 couldn't walk loads of symptoms only got 6 loading injections and 1 every 3 months.I still had pins/ needles but symptoms improved.I took a PPI for years and drank alot don't now haven't for 2 years.Intristic factor always negative.My GP for the last 6 months has increased my injections to every 8 weeks still the same symptoms headaches a bit worse.Haematology have now said to have injections every 4 weeks to see if it helps.Might be coincidental but I broke out in heat lumps the day after the last injection.My homocysteine and active B12 where normal before the suggested increase in frequency of the injections.They requested MMA but as the active B1w was normal MMA wasn't tested.

My GP as I have a fatty liver and other health conditions said too much b12 with injection can cause serious side effects polycythemia,cancer etc

My haemaglobin is already higher in range haematology said the increased injections may send it over range.I already have diarrhoea,stomach upsets,headaches,burning sensation in arms,heartburn.

It's hard to know what caused tge deficency in the first place too much b12 can mimic tge symptoms of not enough.

I'm so scared of the side effects of having the injections every 4 weeks when rhey don't know if I'm deficient or not.

Stupidly googled side effects of much B12 via injection and now I'm petrified

Could any of you help me please ? Any advice appreciated

[jade_s]

Hi Paula1710, if you "google" things about b12 you would be better off reading scientific studies rather than websites which say all sorts of horrible things without citing a single source/study. There are many of those sites out there and many are not reliable.

Google scholar scholar.google.com/ and Pubmed are the ones to search. This post may help conduct your own scientific research using reliable sources: healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

This study suggests b12 may actually improve enzymes in fatty liver , although they tested supplements not injections nature.com/articles/s41598-... /

If I were you, i would ask your doctor for the scientific references which say that "too much b12 with injection can cause serious side effects polycythemia,cancer etc ". I'd ask: How often does this occur in people receiving injections? How often in those with fatty liver & my other health conditions? Which scientific papers discuss these risks?

If I were you, I'd ask so that I could see the evidence and evaluate the risk for myself.

[Nackapan]

The 'heat bumps ' are probably side efrects of b12 .They subside .

I think it's just waking up dead nerves ??

Noone really knows .

Don't worry about a trial of extra b12 injections.

Sounds like you were under treated after loading doses

I got worse before better.

I hope the higher frequency helps you.

Takes time .

Make sure folste level okay vit D

Iron/ ferritin .

Hopefully tested on a blood test .

[Paula1710 in reply to Nackapan]

On iron tablets as iron was low think folate OK I supplement that vit d was OK last month they haven't checked

[Ghound]

Hi Paula, Please, as others have said, absolutely no need to worry !Your symptoms definitely suggest your body needs more B12 !

B12 is a water soluble vitamin - completely harmless but so vital for our health and very existence.

Nearly all of us here had the skin bumps at the beginning of treatment.

Up till then I'd never had spotty skin in my entire life- not even as a teenager !

It gradually went away ...

Be reassured that more frequent injections are a step towards better health !

Wishing you all the very best xx

[Paula1710 in reply to Ghound]

Thanks.GP and haematologists said there are risks with IM injections.My symptoms can be down to both low and high B12 so I'm confused.Iron low too

[Ghound in reply to Paula1710]

Hi again Paula, I'm not medically trained although I was a trained nurse.Almost everyone here has been given false information about B12 by their GPs at some time or other.

I believe you have been given information that's incorrect.

Many doctors, even hospital consultants are clueless about B12 deficiency.

I repeat ; B12 injections are perfectly safe !

Do you have a bleeding disorder where you bleed very easily ?

That's the only reason I can think of which may potentially cause an issue with IM injections.

If not, I really don't believe there are any risks.

B12 deficiency can also lead to iron deficiency anaemia.

As I said, your symptoms point to requiring MORE B12, not less !

Best wishes xx

[Paula1710 in reply to Ghound]

My vit K is 0.53 so lower in range.I have slightly higher fibrinogen but nothing else that I know of.Ferritin and iron low but not anaemic.Folate keeps going low as well as vit D.Homocysteine and transcolbimin I believe are normal.Just don't want to overdo it and make everything worse.Got terrible digestive issues and I don't want my low iron getting worse either

[MrsTuft]

Hello. That’s nonsense - there are no dangers of B12 injections. Ask for their evidence. You are me a few years ago. I blindly thought I was ‘ok ish’ with 8 weekly (starvation rations) but when I was given nitrous oxide and nitrofuratoin with an operation I lost use of my legs entirely. I’m now healing from that 18 months on. My best advice is to SI frequently until well. If I’d done that I’d not have lost two years of my life so far. Doctors are woefully misinformed and even antagonistic re B12 sadly. X