B12 help

So my b12 level was very low at 130 on my most recent labs. My oncologist wants to do injections to get my levels up, but my primary dr insisted I do a month of oral tablets first. This brought my level up to just over 1000, but I dont feel any difference. The specialist says that I can actually have high levels without actually absorbing any?? He still strongly suggests injections, to which my primary says NO and to cut down my supplements. I just want to feel better, any suggestions? Is it possible to be artificially high in b12?

I forgot that. When I was taking it, I was in Canada. A US doctor should not have any problem with giving a script for it.

Hmm.. I believe your kind of in a rock/hard place atm. Oncologist (people who usually care for those with cancer) is saying they feel you need an injection of B12, but your primary says no. To be honest.. I would probably wait on any injection... Your primary probably does not want to put your body into a state of "too much" of one thing. And while our bodies can have higher levels of things... I've never really heard of not absorbing any. That is unless you have been diagnosed with some kind of metabolic disorder.

I would wait on any injections, and cut back a little on supplements. Have you blood re-tested in a month or so and see where it stands. Don't stop the supplements, just tone it down a little. Usually I go to half of what I would normally take and then in a month I would get more blood work. If your back down to very low numbers again.. That is when I would look into an injection.

This is only my opinion though, and this will have to be something you choose on your own. But whatever the choice, I hope you start to feel better.

Yea.. some of us don't retain B12. Or really absorb it. I need weekly injections to keep my levels above 400.. there are people who need more than once a week.

I tried up to 5000 mcg of sublingual methylcobalmin once a day. My levels would drop very fast.

B12 is not a prescription medicine. You can buy B12 and syringes and inject yourself if your doctor won't approve it for insurance to pay. Sometimes the primary care just wants to keep insurance costs down.

Injectable B12 is a Rx medicine in USA.

You need a script for that.

Sublingual is not.

I buy mine from a Canadian pharmacy with no prescription. I pay 75% less than I did with a US script.

Interesting. Thanks.

Other things may be wrong with you if your energy levels have not improved with B12.

But... I don't retain B12. I used to take a lot of sublingual B12. And a day or 2 after I took that my levels were high. But 3-4 days after it was dangerously low. Not as low as yours, but low enough.

I get B12 injections. Once a week I give myself a shot. Most people do great on once a month. My doc was surprised seeing my blood work at I was getting the shot once a week for 3 months. He does not know why, but he knows I need it. It I go more than 10 days without it - I can feel it.

Why the primary does not want to go have that? Any reason?

Fyi - I feel best with my B12 between 800-1500. Even with my weekly injections I never tested above 1100.. that shocked my PC. But since then he never gave problem with giving me the script.

B12 is theoretically water soluble so or body should get rid of it if not needed. The 900 max is ok, but a lot of us do much better at higher values. Some even consider B12 up to 2000 as a good value.

How is your iron? Ferritin? Proteins? Vit D3? All of those of too low can cause low energy. Same as thyroid - specially T3. They often don't test T3, but just TSH.