Hello I’ve not used this before, so hoping I’m writing in the right place!
A couple of years ago my B12 was lowish at 160 - and the Dr advised that I take supplements - which I did . A couple of months ago I started to feel really rotten and very very tired, with bad headaches - I got some bloods done and my b12 was still not that great, at 140 with a high MCV and so they recommended injections. I finished a course of 5 injections over two weeks - my last one was on 31st May.
I’m really not feeling much better, and still very very tired with bad headaches and brain fog. The Dr said I should be feeling much better by now. They are running tests for PA but so far all looks to be negative (they’ve also run tests for thyroid problems etc.) so they just said that they’ll need to monitor it and check back in 2 months to see if I’m absorbing it.
I guess I’m just wondering if it’s normal for it to take a while for it to work or if I really should be feeling better by now? I’ve read more widely on the internet that it can take up to 6 months but the GP seemed to think that this wasn’t the case. Anyway, any thoughts/advice would be really welcome!
Thanks!
Olivia
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olive1010101
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"The Dr said I should be feeling much better by now. "
This shows inexperience with treating B12 deficiency. With a severe deficiency there can be a period of early treatment decline where you feel worse rather than better. The cause is not fully understood but it may last from a few weeks to months.
Keep an eye on supporting the healing process with good nutrition and supplementation if needed (e.g. folate).
If there isnt a dietary cause for your B12 deficiency (e.g. vegan/vegetarian and not supplementing adequately) then it would be some kind of absorption issue, of which PA is one. In such a case, it is highly likely that you will not absorb enough B12 from supplementation to alleviate symptoms and will need more frequent injections, at a frequency which is adequate for you.
Brilliant - thanks so much for your response - it’s reassuring to know that it might not be all my head! I’m not a vegan/veggie so do wonder if it’s some kind of malabsorption problem, especially as I was taking supplements for two years - I’ll keep pestering the GP!
I second Technoid’s excellent response . Do take comfort in the fact that many of us on this forum are obliged to self -inject B12 because so many in the medical profession do not have a good knowledge and understanding of B12 deficiency . Pernicious Anaemia is the most common cause of 12 deficiency.
If you have no luck with your GP . come back here for the information on how to self inject , and obtain everything you need to do so . It is cheap (about £2.00 for a shot ) . But really you should be able to get all you require from your GP.
Bit of extra information regarding causes of B12 deficiency
Causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency .
Pernicious Anaemia ( also know as autoimmune gastritis) is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency . It is an autoimmune condition.Autoimmune conditions seldom come alone . The most common autoimmune “companion”of P.A. is a thyroid condition . Rheumatoid arthritis is common .But there are over 100 autoimmune conditions!
In P.A. the body turns on itself and produces antibodies which destroy the parietal cells in the stomach . These cells produce the Intrinsic Factor and stomach acid , both of which are essential to the process of absorption of vitamin B12 .
Atrophic gastritis , which thins the stomach lining causes Pernicious Anaemia .
Unfortunately the Intrinsic Factor Antibodies do not always show up in the test for P.A. ( Intrinsic Factor Antibodies test). This happens about 50% of the time in P.A. patients — Often takes several tests before they show up .. …. Often doctors do not have this knowledge , and conclude that a negative test means no Pernicious Anaemia . Symptoms must always be treated .
Pernicious Anaemia is incurable and must be treated FOR LIFE with B12 injections.The regularity required to keep symptoms at bay can vary from daily to 3 monthly .. It is not known why there is such variation in need. More research is needed . Tablets are NOT the answer. If deficient for too long ( this is also of variable length ) a symptom can become irreversible . That’s why it’s essential to get prompt treatment.
OTHER CAUSES
Vegan or strict vegetarian diet .B12 is only found in meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.( some food stuffs are supplemented with B12 ) eg marmite . There is no plant source for vitamin B12. Take tablets , unless seriously deficient , when injections are called for till your levels are boosted . Then take tablets daily always .
Certain medications e.g. Metformin .Proton Pump Inhibitors ( P.P.I.s) There are very many others — look them up . If you can’t stop taking these medications, you’ll need injections .
Gastric surgeries Bariatric and others .eg Gastric Bypass, Sleeve Gastrectomy. B12 injections FOR LIFE required .
Also radiation treatment of the stomach , for a cancer , can destroy the parietal cells .— injections FOR LIFE required .
Infestation of fish tape worm ( different to meat tapeworm) caused by eating raw fish or insufficiently smoked fish that is eaten uncooked . Treat with an anti-parasitical medication. Then a few B12 injections till levels are satisfactory .
Helicobacter Pylori, the cause of peptic ulcers , a bacterial infection of the stomach, can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.Treatment with anti-biotics . Injections to quickly restore b12 levels.
Lyme disease caused by a bite from a tick ( Borrelia burgdorfei) can cause vitamin B12 depletion( and also vitamin D and magnesium depletion ) . A very nasty disease . Can cause many problems . Look up how you can identify such a bite when you have been walking in long grass etc . It makes a specially marked bite ( Bulls eye,circular ) Later a rash appears . Not all ticks carry the infection , but always see a doctor if you are worried . Treatment with antibiotics .
Abuse of nitrous oxide ( laughing gas) Midwives should take great care when administering nitrous oxide . Stop using nitrous oxide and have a few injections to boost B12 -
As we age , we produce less stomach acid, which can lead to B12 deficiency.. Take b12 tablets daily.
There is definitely a genetic connection to be considered if you have relatives with Pernicious Anaemia , or you know that they have or had treatment with B12 injections.
I know it sounds strange & dramatic but have zero expectations for any medical professional to know much about b12 deficiency/Pernicious Anemia, and the worse part is they are often filled with erroneous information that they share. Your doctor, like many, does not even know that you might still have PA, that for a high amount of patients a negative test does not mean you 💯 do not have PA.
(And for those reading, just because you are a vegan/vegetarian does not mean you do not have PA or an absorption issue going on. Of course it could be all diet, and it is a lot but it is also could be PA)
You already have two wonderful responses so I am simply going to post some great links, that contain medical footnotes. And a crazy informative video. All the best to you.
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