Repeatedly Losing B12, Any Advice

[polar1920]

Last Friday, I completed a course of 10 vitamin B12 injections. A blood test at the end of November showed my level to be 108. I had another blood test on Tuesday and the level was 109!
I am now booked in for another 10 injections. Has this happened to anyone else? I had a bowel resection in 1993, and currently take a cocktail of tablets for various ailments.
Azathioprine, Topirimate, Pregabalin, Folic acid, Quinnine Sulphate, Budesonide,
Any advice would be welcome

Many Thanks

 

[DustyKat]

Bump ... David ???

 

[David]

The course of injections - how far apart in days was each injection, what was the dose, and where on your body did they inject you?

 

[polar1920]

Hi,
Injections are once a week, same day, in the top of my arm, alternate arms each injection.
Am not sure of the dose, will check tomorrow.
Thanks

 

[David]

That's pretty odd. Are they giving you the injections just under the skin or into your muscle?

I assume they are injecting Methylcobalamin since you are in the UK, but check and make sure it's that and not Cyanocobalamin as well.

What I'm wondering is if your body stores of B12 are so low that your body is dealing with that first. I know that your body stores of B12 can be low and your serum levels normal, but I'm not sure if injections would first affect the body stores. I'll have to do some research on that one.

You may want to discuss the idea of having your methylmalonic acid level tested with your doctor. That way even if your serum levels don't improve again, you can at least determine if the injections are doing some good as MMA levels are a better indicator of deficiency anyway.

Was your doctor surprised by the lack of increase? What did they say other than take 10 more?

 

[Smika]

I have the same issue. I've been doing my own self-injections at home for about 5 years now. I inject 1cc every week in my stomach. My levels are always in the lowest range of normal. But the injections at least keep me in the normal range.

 

[CLynn]

I do my injections in my thigh. Pinch up the skin and inject it.

 

[Trish22]

I always have to have mine straight into the muscle,it stings awfully.

 

[polar1920]

David,
Am having the injections into the muscle, and it stings lol
I haven't seen the doctor yet, it was the receptionist that rang me yesterday and said the blood tests results were back, and Doctor had seen them and said I needed a further course of ten injections

 

[Debsite]

Hi- I don't know if you're still on this board. Have a test for the MTHFR gene mutation. It can cause issues with blood clotting, but that is a different issue. If also interferes with the absorption of Folic Acid and B12. My daughter has Crohn's, runs low B12 despite injections. I am + MTHFR, and she is being tested- blood drawn last week.
If you are +, you need to find someone familiar with MTHFR to find the right supplement to increase your folic acid and B12.

 

[Jennifer]

I know this thread is a little old but I don't understand the 10 day course of injections. polar1920 mentioned "a further course of ten injections." Shouldn't the injections continue since they've had a resection? Twice a month etc? David?

 

[David]

Likely Jennifer, yes. It would depend upon whether their inability to absorb B12 was remedied by the surgery and they still have enough terminal ileum to absorb sufficient B12 thereafter. But more than likely having 10 injections and then stopping isn't the best course of action. As always, it's all about proper monitoring and adjusting dosage specific to the patient.