I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but also have very low B12 levels (not clear if PA). I was prescribed B12 injections privately - Hydroxycobalamin.
However, the pharmacy can issue me with the ampules, but no means to inject it so I’m into working out plan B. Possibly getting the ampules and ordering an injection kit and self injecting (I’m a trained vaccinator so I’m not particularly phased by that idea). Anyone else had to do this?
As an aside, can anyone tell me if there is a reason you should have Hydroxycobalbamin rather than Methylcobalbumin form of B12 injected..?
Hydroxycobalbamin is the precursor of the other with Methylcobalbamin being the active form (from what I can tell) and both seem to be available in the UK for injection if I go down the self-fulfilment route.
Hope that makes some sense? Thank you 😀
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TheMudRunner
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Most of us on this forum self-inject with b12Hydroxocobalamin ampoules that we obtain from German online pharmacies . ( it’s an over the counter item in Germany ) Its usually because our G.P. cannot let us have injections as often as we need to keep symptoms at bay. Not able now to get Methylcobalamin ampoules. I have in the past tried Methylcobalamin, but for me it had no advantages over Hydrocobalamin . But some people find Methylcobalamin superior to Hydroxocobalamin. It’s definitely a personal thing . I suggest that you try both . Methyl is much more expensive than Hydroxy . I would definitely not say that one is superior over the other . For some Cynocobalamin suits very well.
As for injection requirements, I use medisave.co.uk They have everything that you need . You can use either I.M. or sub- cutaneous method for B12 injections . Best wishes .
Thank you for this! I had found an online supplier in the uk for Methylcobalamin, but not hydroxy. I do have a prescription for Hydroxy though (private GP) but not for the syringe kit so not sure if I should collect it and order the other bits online? Thoughts welcomed.
I will look at the German supplier though as may be cheaper all round and simpler 😀
Hi wedgewood - I’ve had a Quick Look at the website you linked to. They seem to only supply registered medical professionals. How do you work around that restriction? Thanks again 😀
I have used Medisave without any problems for 10 years . And so do most members on this forum . Never came across that they only supply medical professionals .
As for Methylcobalamin , are you referring to the powdered variety that had to be rehydrated with saline ? ( Oxford biosciences ) I prefer the safety of single use ampoules .
Medisave do sell in boxes of 100 items . Is that what makes you think they are for medical professionals ? I. Glad to buy in those large quantities , as I inject quite often , and bulk buying is cheaper .
If you ever need to obtain Hydroxocobalamin, we get ours from German online pharmacies . Here is some information should you need it —————
How to obtain B12 single-use ampoules from reliable German Health Authorities approved Pharmacies.
The following German online pharmacies will deliver Vitamin B12 DEPOT ( Hydroxocobalamin) single use ampoules to U.K. In Germany. These ampoules are obtainable without a prescription in, but can only be sold by German Health authority approved pharmacies .
Some pharmacies stopped suppling U.K. because they didn’t want the extra paperwork involved by U.K. no longer being in the EU.
versandapo.de ( in Leipzig) Site is in German. Use Google Chrome for translation. This is usually the best value pharmacy . U.K. is “Vereinigtes Königreich.” on the drop down country list .
Courier cost €9.99. no matter how many you order.
Versandapo also award “ plus points” if you are registered . You are awarded 200 points when you register for the first time. Thereafter you are credited with 1 point for each Euro than you spend . 250 points represent €2.50 , which you can redeem against your next purchase . You must log on every time in order get your points or redeem them.
apohealth.de( in Munich) Site available in English,( Union flag 🇬🇧 bottom left on my device) courier cost €20.00 for 10 packets of 10 . Lower cost for fewer packets
apotheke-marienbrunn.de( in Leipzig) Use Google Chrome for translation . Also deliver to Australia , New Zealand and USA. Drop- down country list is in German and U.K. is called “ Vereinigtes Königreich Großbritannien und Nordirl” .
fixmedica.de Obtainable in English( but delivery costs €45.00 !!!)
First of all register with the Pharmacy
When filling out the address form, you will see that the country is already filled out with Deutschland / Germany .
You must change that to your own country by scrolling down the drop- down list to U.K. ,United Kingdom , Vereinigtes Königreich Grossbrittanien , etc, how ever it is expressed. Otherwise, your post code and the rest of your address will not be accepted , and you will be tearing your hair out !!!
amazon.de also sell Pascoe and Hevert, but depending on the supplying pharmacy, may or may not deliver to U.K.
You can’t use the Pharmaceutical references numbers when ordering from Amazon.de. You must use the brand names .
The following brands are usually available .
PANPHARMA ( formally Rotexmedica) 1x1ml ampoules B12 DEPOT ( Hydroxocobalamin ) Packet of 10- 1mg x 1ml ampoules
Pharmaceutical Reference number 16199653
Most popular item. Good value , but often out of stock . You can be reminded when they are back in stock by leaving your email address in the box provided .
—————————————————————————
PASCOE B12 DEPOT packet of 10 - MG 1.5 mg x 1ml ampoules .Reference number 07568672.
Packets of 10 x 10 ( 100 ampoules ) Reference no. 07568695
The Pascoe are much cheaper per packet if you buy the offer of 10 packets ( 100 ampoules) If you inject weekly or more frequently , you will be covered . Other wise if you don’t inject so frequently, some ampoules may become out of date .
—————————————————————————
HEVERT B12 DEPOT 1mg x 2ml ampoules 1 packet of 10 ampoules reference no. 06078368
It’s easier using the Pharmaceutical Reference numbers to order from the Pharmacies . But if ordering from amazon.de use the brand names . Reference numbers not accepted .
The above mentioned Pharmaceutical companies also produce Vitamin B12 ampoules ( Cynocobalamin) Which can also be used successfully . But should not be used by patients who have the eye condition known as LEBERS . Cynocobalamin needs to be injected more often than Hydroxocobalamin. Cyno is cheaper than Hydroxo. I haven’t got the reference numbers for Cyno .It is the most commonly used b12 ampoule in the USA.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING .
Now that the U.K. has left the EU , and therefore the single market , there is a a limit to the value of the goods that can be ordered before VAT is due .That tax is applicable if the value exceeds £135.00(roughly €158.00)
But this will vary obviously depending on the exchange
rate . The value includes the delivery cost !!! . On top of that, Royal Mail charges £8.00 for handling !
I’m not sure how much the VAT is , but I think it’s about 20% of the value of the order . But please look it up . A member was quite shocked at what she had to pay when she had innocently exceeded the limit . YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Re. Methylcobalamin, there is a uk company based in Brighton who sell it in ampoules (1000mg/ml) for £25/ampoule. It’s liquid form from what I can see. Having to reconstitute it doesn’t sound ideal..!
Oh yes , I have seen that site , run by a lady medical doctor, and she sells the Methylcobalamin ampoules that I used to get from Arnika in Munich . (At grossly inflated prices) . I don’t know if Arnika still deliver to U.K. But you could try to find out . Email is —- manufaktur@arnika-apo.de Or phone. +49 89 468 468 They speak and write English
I’ll stick with the hydroxy that I was told to take for now I think as you have given so much help to source it. The original question was driven by it being seemingly impossible to find and a desire not to spend anymore than I needed to, doubly so on something that might not have been as suitable (the methyl vs hydroxy). Its such a lot to wrap my head around, especially with the brain fog 🫣
There is a site that sells the Oxfordbiosciences powdered Methylcobalamin ( again at grossly inflated prices . ) Interesting to read all about it though . Have a look at perniciousanemia.org
That sounds very expensive! I am very fortunate to live in Canada and here we can get injectable B12 and the needles over the counter. I can buy 10 doses of cyanocobalamin for only $13 here including the needles, so $1.30 per dose which is only 0.75 pounds sterling. I got it for even less last time because they had tons of needles for COVID-19 injections that were not being used so they gave me the needles for free. By the way: I suspect you have a typo. The normal dose is 1000 mcg = 1 mg and not 1000 mg which would be 1000 times one normal dose.
hello TheMudRunner, im a bit confused when you say the link wedgewood provided is for medical professionals only. I too buy there. Just open an account by registering and buy all needles, syringes, etc. Medical professionals can apply for a discount I believe.
I buy methylcobalamin from Oxford Bio Sciences:
oxfordbiosciences.com/store.... This needs medical saline pods, 10 x 10ml Braun NaCl .9% PZN 027377 from German pharmacies. Hydroxocobalamin can be obtained from Germany, as wedgewood says.
versandapo.de and juvalis.de are reputable and ship to uk. Do not exceed £135 or you will incur customs duty.
I just clicked the link, found the hydroxycobalamin and there was no “add to basket” option. There was only a guide to fill in a form to allow them to ship to me if I was a registered health professional. Not sure what else I can do?
Photo showing restricted status of B12 injection at medisave.co.uk
Ah! I did wonder. I do have a prescription, but the pharmacist seemed reluctant to fulfil it as I didn’t have means to administer it (which does seem not unreasonable..!). I may go back and say I’ve resolved that but so I can have it. I assume it’ll be less costly that ordering from abroad, but perhaps not?
It’s a lot to get my head around along with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism and starting treatment for that too. It seems my 5 year battle has paid off in the sense that there is clearly a lot to fix and my NHS GP has not really carried out their duty of care. I’m feeling cross, but also vindicated post private route being explored (blood tests and GP appointment). I’d much preferred to have been heard and treated before I felt this rotten though, but there isn’t much point looking back now ☺️ I’m so grateful all the folk on here who are willing to share their hard won knowledge. Most of us seem to have had, and continue have a small battle on our hands just to feel well…
Congratulations on getting diagnosed and for taking control of your treatment. It's a lot to get your head around but the lovely people here and on the thyroid site can help you through.
I'm self-injecting B12 for neuropathy. I buy my Cyanocobalamin ampoules from Germany (from versandapo.de). It's cheap and fast.
I buy a larger needle (21g x 1 1/2" no. 2) to draw up the liquid into the syringe and I buy a short 30g 6mm needle to inject into the subcutaneous fat layer. I buy the 2 needles and syringes from the UK. A couple I get from Amazon and one comes from a pharmacy supplies company that I've forgotten the name of. But basically I got all my needs sorted cheaply and easily using wedgewood 's excellent information.
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