My NUT says we should take 1000 mg of b12 three times a week. Is that enough? Should I be taking it everyday instead? I am getting my labs done in two weeks so I'm not sure what my levels are.

Also I had a question about sublingual b12. Is there any reason it has to be UNDER the tongue. I always find myself putting the pill under my tongue and then when it dissolves I just kinda mu**** around and let it dissolve in my entire mouth. Is that okay.

How do I get b12 shots? Do I have to go to the doctors and get a prescription? Can I get it so I can do them myself? How do I do that? If I did get the shots how often would I need them? 

 I do  B12 shot. I got a script at my last apt. My Hubby gives me the shot in either my arm or thigh. I do them once a month.

My doc said the b12 must stay under the tongue because that's where the vein is that needs to absorb it into your bloodstream. It usually takes my b12 at least 15 minutes or more to dissolve.

That might be enough.  The ASMBS says to use 350-500 mcg a day but it's fine to do 1000 mcg every other day inside.  When you get your labs done, you'll know if you need to take more.

It has to be under the tongue because that's where it will get absorbed.

You need a prescription for B12 shots, but you can do them yourself.  Some people only need them once a month, too.  You can fill the prescription at any pharmacy.  You'll get a small vial with the B12 in it and a bunch of syringes.  You actually need two prescriptions, one for the B12 itself and one for the syringes.

To do the shots, you poke the needle through the rubber top of the B12 vial.  You pull back on the plunger until you get the right amount of fluid in the syringe.  There are marks on the syringe, kinda like on a measuring cup, so you can see how much you're getting.

Now, some people say you need to do B12 shots IM (which means in the muscle) and some say you can do them sub-q (which means subcutaneously, or under the skin).  If you do them sub-q, you can use a skinnier needle.  That's what I do and I can barely feel it.  If you are doing it IM, you can do it in your upper arm near the shoulder or in your thigh.  If you are doing it sub-q, you can also do it in your belly if you prefer.  

To do them sub-q, you kind of pinch up a little skin, then stick it in and push the plunger.  To do them IM, I don't think you pinch up the skin but I'm not sure 'cause that's not how I do them.  Your doc can show you how the first time.  It's not hard at all.

I don't like sticking myself so my partner gives me mine.  I find it way more convenient than the sublinguals.

We RNYers seem to absorb B12 in different amounts. What works for you, might not work for me. I take 1000 mg/day. And I swi**** around my mouth, too, which doesn't hurt my levels because they are always a bit high.

Don't worry about shots until after your labs. If your body is not absorbing the sublingual, you would need shots, but most of us do fine with the sublingual.

Laura

 I take 1000 mg a day my lab was 1500 which is on the high side of normal so if I miss taking it on the weekend I don't care too much.  You have to leave it under your tongue for it to absorb.. mine disolves in less than a minute.

Edit to say: I take Celebrate Cherry flavor and I actually like the taste!

I'm still new to this, but I have sublingual b-12 at 2500 mcg, but my doc only suggests 350 daily. Not sure how to tackle this. Any ideas?

Just take it once or twice a week.  That works with some vitamins, including B12.  I don't think any brand even sells sublinguals in a dose of 350 mcg, the smallest dose I've ever seen is 500.

Thanks Kelly!