Anyone have experience with B12 deficiency?

[Deleted]

I had a full set of labs done this week and I just got the results in the mail. I have a vitamin D deficiency, which isn't a total shock because I have a history of low levels. The letter they sent just says I need to call them to verify what pharmacy to call the prescription in to. I'm more concerned about this new B12 deficiency (at least I assume it's new). The letter says it needs to be corrected and we should "discuss it further at my follow up appointment."

Is this a bigger deal than taking a supplement until I'm back in the normal range? Do I need to be worried? I don't want to Google because I don't want to freak myself out unnecessarily.

[greenscreen]

I have a B12 deficiency, and I have a supplement from my Dr. I get retested every 6 months to make sure it stays normal.
I have Crohn's so it is kind of part of the deal, and I would think they would find what's causing your deficiency. I wouldn't worry though!

[pinkplasticdoll]

Honestly the best thing to do is to contact your physician and see how they want you to proceed, supplements,shots or anything diet related you can change.

I am constantly deficient in B12 and I take supplements daily for it and will get a shot if my doctor has them in stock. She suggested a diet change to help and so I am currently working on that, I will go in next month for another workup and we will see if it has helped.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 20:32:18 GMT -5 pinkplasticdoll said:

Honestly the best thing to do is to contact your physician and see how they want you to proceed, supplements,shots or anything diet related you can change.

I am constantly deficient in B12 and I take supplements daily for it and will get a shot if my doctor has them in stock. She suggested a diet change to help and so I am currently working on that, I will go in next month for another workup and we will see if it has helped.

I have my follow up appointment on Friday, I was just hoping to be semi-prepared in case it's a bigger deal than other vitamin deficiencies. How often do you get injections?

[cereal K]

obvs talk to your doc.

i was diagnosed with a B12 deficiency while pregnant. they weren't sure if it was something with me or if the baby was sucking my life force out in a new and different way. they gave me a shot and told me to take a B12 supplement in addition to my multivitamin. B vitamins are water soluble, so there's isn't too much of a good thing in this case.

after having the kid, my doc told me to keep up with the supplement if it wasn't bothering me, but suspiciously hasn't done any more tests...i should probably ask about this.

[Deleted]

I do not but my dad does. He has to get injections monthly as a result.

I have seen your posts on the IBD board and it could definitely be related to your gastrointestinal issues.

My dad has chronic gastritis which is an inflammation of the stomach lining. His is caused by H. pylori, the bacteria that causes ulcers. When the stomach lining is inflamed, there is less mucous, less intrinsic factor and thus less absorption of B12. Oral supplements will not help the issue if you have an underlying condition, you will need injections.

[pinkplasticdoll]

Jul 7, 2013 20:35:04 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Jul 7, 2013 20:32:18 GMT -5 pinkplasticdoll said:

Honestly the best thing to do is to contact your physician and see how they want you to proceed, supplements,shots or anything diet related you can change.

I am constantly deficient in B12 and I take supplements daily for it and will get a shot if my doctor has them in stock. She suggested a diet change to help and so I am currently working on that, I will go in next month for another workup and we will see if it has helped.

I have my follow up appointment on Friday, I was just hoping to be semi-prepared in case it's a bigger deal than other vitamin deficiencies. How often do you get injections?

I was getting them about once a quarter but apparently there has been a shortage and she hasn't had any since August of last year. The daily supplements have helped my levels a lot,it took awhile to remember to take them daily but now I just take them when I take my birth control. 

ETA: I think unless it is extremely low and dangerous it shouldn't be too much of an issue for you to get shots or daily supplements. I think you would notice if they were severely low. I didn't notice mine were low at all, she was just doing annual bloodwork when she saw my levels were low. 

[snickers]

My mom has a b12 deficiency and she just goes to the dr every month and gets a needle for it.

[Deleted]

Not gonna lie, I'm really terrified about the idea of injections.

[nursewife]

Jul 7, 2013 20:50:46 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Not gonna lie, I'm really terrified about the idea of injections.

I give a ton of them at work, and B12 is relatively painless for an injection. Most patients get them monthly. Try not to stress.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 20:40:06 GMT -5 pinkplasticdoll said:

Jul 7, 2013 20:35:04 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

I have my follow up appointment on Friday, I was just hoping to be semi-prepared in case it's a bigger deal than other vitamin deficiencies. How often do you get injections?

I was getting them about once a quarter but apparently there has been a shortage and she hasn't had any since August of last year. The daily supplements have helped my levels a lot,it took awhile to remember to take them daily but now I just take them when I take my birth control. 

ETA: I think unless it is extremely low and dangerous it shouldn't be too much of an issue for you to get shots or daily supplements. I think you would notice if they were severely low. I didn't notice mine were low at all, she was just doing annual bloodwork when she saw my levels were low. 

Yeah, it's not crazy low. Below the normal range but still in the 200s. H said he thinks it might be why I'm so fatigued all the time, but I still don't want to Google to see if he's right. I tend to over-Google.

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 20:54:17 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Jul 7, 2013 20:50:46 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Not gonna lie, I'm really terrified about the idea of injections.

I give a ton of them at work, and B12 is relatively painless for an injection. Most patients get them monthly. Try not to stress.

Is it just like a small needle in your arm? I'm afraid he's going to suggest it and want to do it at my appointment and I'll be totally unprepared. I've got to get myself ready for things like this. I don't do well with surprises.


I'm embarrassed to admit that I cried when my GYN decided I needed a skin biopsy right away and I only had her setup time to prepare myself for it.

[RoxMonster]

I had a B12 deficiency a few years ago.

They put me on B12 supplements daily, and for the first three months, I had to go in every couple weeks or so to get B12 injections. Then I had bloodwork done again after those three months, and since it was back up to the normal range, they just kept me on the supplements. I also had an iron deficiency as well, so I was tested for pernicious anemia, but did not have it.

ETA: The injections were not bad and I hate getting shots. It was in the upper arm (they switched arms every time). It hurt way less than the flu shot I get yearly.

[nursewife]

Jul 7, 2013 20:59:16 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Jul 7, 2013 20:54:17 GMT -5 nursewife said:

I give a ton of them at work, and B12 is relatively painless for an injection. Most patients get them monthly. Try not to stress.

Is it just like a small needle in your arm? I'm afraid he's going to suggest it and want to do it at my appointment and I'll be totally unprepared. I've got to get myself ready for things like this. I don't do well with surprises.


I'm embarrassed to admit that I cried when my GYN decided I needed a skin biopsy right away and I only had her setup time to prepare myself for it.

It's a needle that goes into the muscle (IM), but the b12 doesn't seem to hurt like some other injectable meds. Nothing like getting blood work. I used to hate needles, like panic and tears. When I had to have regular allergy shots, it helped me get over my fear. Most docs start with oral meds it seems. I hope your appointment goes well. Try not to stress

[Deleted]

Jul 7, 2013 21:08:32 GMT -5 nursewife said:

Jul 7, 2013 20:59:16 GMT -5 @pixiechinchilla said:

Is it just like a small needle in your arm? I'm afraid he's going to suggest it and want to do it at my appointment and I'll be totally unprepared. I've got to get myself ready for things like this. I don't do well with surprises.


I'm embarrassed to admit that I cried when my GYN decided I needed a skin biopsy right away and I only had her setup time to prepare myself for it.

It's a needle that goes into the muscle (IM), but the b12 doesn't seem to hurt like some other injectable meds. Nothing like getting blood work. I used to hate needles, like panic and tears. When I had to have regular allergy shots, it helped me get over my fear. Most docs start with oral meds it seems. I hope your appointment goes well. Try not to stress

See, blood work is a piece of cake for me compared to injections because I had it done so often while we were figuring out my thyroid med dosage. I suppose that if they do recommend going the route of injections I'll just have to get used to it like I got used to the blood work. Thank you. You've actually helped a lot.