Low B12 levels

[Bollieforme]

it’s not an area I know much about with a B12 level of 433 (187-833) would I qualify for B12 injections?

[helvella Administrator]

People with serum B12 levels at or even below the bottom of the reference interval have been refused injections.

People who have already been diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia have had their existing injections regime terminated and forced onto oral supplements.

So the answer has to be, not a chance.

And you should look at the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

Vitamin B12 deficiency in over 16s: diagnosis and management

NICE guideline [NG239] Published: 06 March 2024

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239

[Bollieforme in reply to helvella]

Thanks for the reply. Looks like supplements is the way to go.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Bollieforme]

If you can absorb B12 from oral sources, most people would choose that route on grounds of cost, pain, reliability of supply, choice of form, disposal of medical waste (needles, syringes, 'green' issues, etc.).

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Bollieforme]

I have PA and get an injection every 2 months but if I could avoid the hassle, inconvenience and discomfort ( they sting a lot) by taking a tablet each day, I would. I get mine at GP so dont have to worry about self injecting.

[Marz]

If you were supplementing at the time of your B12 test - it is possible the result will be skewed. If not then your result is not too bad.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Not a chance

B12 supplements are usually well absorbed

I gave you details of good quality supplements in previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[McPammy]

I’d say no as it has to be under range. I get b12 injections every 3 months but not until it was under range. Apparently in Japan they say 600 is the minimum whereas in the uk NHS it’s about 200. So aim for minimum 600 I’d say. Mine is about 600 prior to each injection once I’ve had the injection it’s about 2000.

[Tanglewooddream in reply to McPammy]

In East Yorkshire the minimum is now 115 after being 150 for a few years. So my daughter and my sister, who were both ‘borderline’ a few years ago at around 149-153, are now obviously not deficient at all! How they get away with arbitrarily changing the goal posts in different parts of the country is beyond belief, talk about a post code lottery.

[Bollieforme in reply to Tanglewooddream]

Shocking isn’t it! Totally agree with you re post code lottery

[McPammy in reply to Tanglewooddream]

It might be the laboratory levels. Sometimes the levels and ranges differ depending on the equipment the lab at the hospital is using. My lab is range 150-750. I was below the lower limit so they gave me injections of b12 now the are at 3 monthly intervals. My last blood test was recently at 661 and that was before they injected the b12 so it now doesn’t go below that but sky high once I’m injected.

I think it’s best sometimes just to purchase b12 but the NHS should really be doing it for you. I do believe also it’s a postcode lottery but also each individual GP surgery is run differently like a small businesses and they choose how to budget their money. It might be worth considering changing your gp surgery. B12 to be optimal is really important to have good health.

[Tanglewooddream in reply to McPammy]

I already purchase it and we all self inject. Many people cannot though and won’t even know they have a deficiency as told all bloods ‘within range’.

And that is the major problem isn’t it with our GP ‘services’? That they are all businesses or a part of a larger group business - and businesses are motivated by profit of course.

[Opposite]

I don't know if this is helpful as everyone is recommending supplements but beauticians often do B12 injections for around £30.