How long can you go without B12 injection?

[suzi33]

I am supposed to have my B12 injection every 3 months. I was supposed to get my last injection in January but not had chance to get to the doctors. I have an apt now booked for the 15th March, but wonder how long is safe to go without it.

[helvella]

Low levels of B12 cause irreversible nerve damage. As well as the more reversible things like enlarged red blood cells.

What we cannot know (you do not tell us very much) is where you are in terms of B12 availability in your body.

Many people consider three months to be far too long a gap between injections in the first place. So adding another three months is clearly a bad thing.

I think some here might ask if you have eaten in the last three months? In some ways, if you need them, B12 is as important as eating.

I urge you to read up some more so that you understand. The main PAS site has lots of information.

[suzi33 in reply to helvella]

I had weight loss surgery and since then I have no means of absorbing B12. They found out during a routine blood test. They told me that there is no point in taking tablets as I no longer have the cells that absorb and said I needed to have the injection. They gave me one every few days for a couple of weeks and since then told me to have one every 3 months. My diet is now extremely healthy but mainly high protein and I take extra vitamins and calcium. I exercise 3-4 times a week. I never experianced any sympthoms and have not really been told what they are or what the consequences of B12 deficiency is. I got myself a bit worried as I have been feeling so tired, my eyes are constantly itching like I have a lack of sleep but I have not. then realised I have gone past my due date for the injection. Not sure if they are connected.

[helvella in reply to suzi33]

I have had a quick google and found this:

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Importance after Bariatric Surgery

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Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in the case of pernicious anemia include tiredness, irritability, breathlessness, etc. It can result in nerve damage. The immune system may suffer if there is an inadequate amount of vitamin B12 in the body; the number of white blood cells reduces and the body's susceptibility to infection increases.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported to include such nonspecific conditions as dandruff, nervousness, poor blood clotting, slower reflexes, sore tongue, tiredness, and menstrual problems. These problems also occur with normal B12 levels. B12 levels can be altered with a variety of medications including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, birth control pills, cholesterol lowering drugs, and high blood pressure medicine.

laparoscopic.md/weight-loss...

Rod

[suzi33 in reply to helvella]

Thank you so much. I am going to see if doctor can let me in sooner than the 15th.