One for our medical experts on BE

So a few years ago It was noted I was low on B12, so now I take a vitamin pill every day or so to keep ahead of it dropping.

My neighbors also take B12, many work pals do too, now I find out our cousin in Kitchener also has B12 issues and needs weekly injections even, WTF is it with B12 in N America and why ain't we all getting enough?

Are they veggies (particularly vegans)? I believe that's the usual reason for B12 deficiency, because it's mostly found in other animals.

Nope, neither am I either, I never really heard of this deficiency in England, just here. Or maybe it's my age ? And the age of people around me ?

I know several people who have regular B12 injections, and they imply that it is because they are anaemic.

No idea whether that is true or close to accurate!

As MarkG, the only reason I've ever heard for B12 deficiency is a vegan diet. It naturally occurs in most animals, but humans can't produce it, so normal way is animal products, there's a type of seaweed that also works, or supplements.

Given the amount of meat the average north american seems to eat, I can't imagine many of them actually have that deficiency...

My OH gets monthly injections, even so her ferritin is very low, about 30 last count. She is a Celiac and has some other medical issues which i believe affect this level. With her various meds and stuff she has regular blood tests which are distributed to various people, none of whom ever call to say "hey your level is low, maybe we should do something"
Yesterday her GI doc said if the levels don't improve we can sort out an iron infusion with your doctor. Her doctor gets the same results sent and hasn't said anything about it as yet. Last time she had an IV iron infusion her levels went way up but have been on a slow downward spiral ever since.

I remember my Mum making us take B12 for period pains (sorry, TMI?)

It's due to the lack of proper marmite. The pukka British stuff contains B12.

I suspect that there isn't an increase in the B12 decrease, it's just tested for here.

So some basics!
Iron deficiency anemia is NOT the same as B12 deficiency anemia
A celiac will often be low in both. But treated differently

You can be low in B12 for 2 main reasons

Vegans- don't eat meat products. They need to supplement with an oral tablet which they can swallow.

Pernicious anemia- autoimmune- so celiacs often have it as well as being celiac.
Your stomach cannot absorb B12.
It has to be given either by injection IM not IV or sublingually. I used to think injection was better but it seems S/L B12 gives a more even dose. The formulation given IM in the UK was better but is hard to get in Canada and expensive, so here we use the cheap , nasty stuff!!!

As far as I'm aware pernicious anemia is as common in the UK as Canada. Its an important vitamin and can cause extreme tiredness and memory loss so extreme that dementia could be suspected- so should always be checked with memory loss. We had lots of patients popping in to see the nurse for their injections in the UK. We tested as much in the UK as Canada.

Lastly,it became very "trendy" to have B12 infusions at one point- various "stars" had done selfies whilst having their infusion. I doubt there was any good reason and it caused a shortage for quite a while, harming those with genuine need. Fortunately the idiots seemed to have moved on!

Zero reason to take for period pain as far as I know- 1st time I've heard that one!

I'd never been tested in the UK, never heard it even mentioned by others. Here, I've been tested and found lacking because of the gluten thing. I just take tablets now but did have injections. Never had Vit D tested either until here.

You were younger then!
More common in older people.
I assure you it is tested for in the UK and just as frequently.
Vit D is a tough one- we cannot test for it unless the patient pays as Health Canada says everyone should be on it. There are some contradictory trials coming out re vit D- whether everyone should take or those considered at risk.
We definitely tested for Vit D in the UK but would have been a targeted population I think. I think testing would be more common now.

[QUOTE=snoopdawg

Zero reason to take for period pain as far as I know- 1st time I've heard that one![/QUOTE]

My mother had a medical encyclopedia so she was qualified dontcha know! 🤣

It's because it tastes so awful..

I just noticed this thread. I went to the GP because I have developed a tremor in my right hand. She ran some blood tests and told me the only thing that was low was B12. She put me on 1000 MCG(?) tabs as I was going on hols (rather than injections).

The tremor seems to have plateaued but what I really notice is that I was getting a few misbeats but I hardly get any now.

My ferritin was low a few years ago but the GP said it's OK now.

I'm very medically phobic so I expect I'd better leave this discussion now!!

Hmm, it is possible I'm older now than I was then.
My mum had to ask for her B12 level to be tested and she's definitely older than I am.
My impression is that more diagnostic tests are ordered here than in the UK and as far as x-rays go many are unnecessary.
I can't even remember having bloods done on the NHS but they're always attacking me here.