What A Difference....B12 Makes

[Sparklingsunshine]

Just a few little hoursWhat a difference B12 makes

Yes the difference is you.

( with apologies to Dinah Washington)

I had a rough Xmas period feeling increasingly rubbish, I had shortness of breath, ruled out an asthma exacerbation, appetite loss, rapid pulse rate, palpitations, loss of energy and motivation, just felt very unwell.

I knew it was unlikely to be thyroid as I did a home test in December which all looked good. I did wonder about iron but since menopause my ferritin and iron have been high in range.

I was given the go ahead by the NHS to SI my B12 at home every 2 months, had my last jab at the surgery on 26 November. In desperation I did my first jab yesterday sucessfully I might add, and within a few short hours began to feel so much better, which has continued today. Its the only thing I've done differently.

I've never felt that even jabs every 2 months was enough for me. I used to get neuro symptoms about 6 weeks in, pins and needles etc. As I've now sourced my own B12 ampoules as well as NHS ones I'm going to try monthly jabs to see how I get on. For some reason it seems as though I'm using up my B12 stores more quickly than I used to, maybe an age thing.

The moral of this tale is dont assume everything is thyroid related. B12 deficiency, iron, and folate can all mimic hypo and hyper symptoms. I thought mine was perhaps the wrong dose of thyroid at first.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Isn't it great when you get such a positive response to something!

Fridge magnet required..... How are you today?.... Have you had your B12? 😁

[FallingInReverse]

Congrats! I just took my first Thorne b co plex about a half hour ago : ) the latest supplement add in my regimen! My levels are always mid/high-ish in range - so I’ve waited a while to start but higher would be better.

Do you know what b12 blood test levels correlate to feeling bad/good?

[Caradoc1a in reply to FallingInReverse]

500 plus. Mine was 340 in October and I had many horrible symptoms. In Nice guidance that is in the middle category which signals possible B12 deficiency if there are symptoms

[Jo5454 in reply to FallingInReverse]

My level was 608 March last year, but I was extremely unwell & not functioning well, with neuro symptoms like starting to stammer, weakness down one side, pins and needles, poorvsight out of left eye, nausea, breathlessness, exhaustion, so please go by how you are feeling and not numbers!Take care...

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to FallingInReverse]

I guess its individual and you can have high blood levels of B12 but if its not being utilised by the cells, then, much as thyroid hormones, its immaterial.

[helvella in reply to FallingInReverse]

I'm not convinced that there is such a level.

Some people seem to not notice their B12 being very close to the lower end of the range for serum tests. (Typically somewhere near 200.)

Others can feel they don't have enough when injecting frequently and, if tested, would find the lab saying "2000" - or whatever the top of their analytical range might be. They simply do not go through the steps necessary to determine whether you have 2000, 3000, 4000 or more!

In other words, just as individual as thyroid hormone levels!

Mine was at top of Active B12 range last test I had - > 150. No surprise as I regularly take oral B12.

[Caradoc1a]

So pleased for you! How did you manage to get agreement for home based SI? I've got 3rd GP appointment next week to try to get them to agree to b12 injections and follow Endo recommendations. I'm into week 3 of SI without thier knowing. I'm still experiencing neuropathy in lower calves and feet.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Caradoc1a]

I asked basically lol. I've always thought B12 jabs are a waste of NHS resources,in that you have to book an appointment with a HCA/ nurse. I've also experienced obstructive receptionists being jobsworths about timings of jabs, which just adds to unpleasantness. I said to the nurse why dont they just give us the stuff and let us do it ourselves. So she arranged for needles, syringes, wipes and a sharps bin. And I now order the B12 ampoule with my other repeats.

Its becoming more common. I've heard of several members on the PA forum who do it via NHS. Once you know what you are doing its easy and saves clogging up appointments whch are needed elsewhere. Plus no more travelling to the surgery and you can administer it in the comfort of your own home.

[Caradoc1a in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I will ask!! As my mum used to say: they can only say no!

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Caradoc1a]

As I said I think its becoming more widespread, people have to SI for a variety of reasons. I dont see why B12 should be any different. That said not everyone will want to do it and nor should anyone be pushed into it either. But it should be offered.

[Caradoc1a in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

agree!!