Liquid B12, Iron & Folic Acid For Better Absorption To Beat Anemia

[Soulwy]

Blood test results showed I suffer from anemia. As I have difficulties with absorbing nutrients

I get B12 injected (1000 mg) every other day, 500 baht per shot (ouch...)

I have adjusted my diet + have taken supplements to get more iron and folic acid, but I don't feel like it is working. So I'd like to try liquids (spray, drops).

What is your experience with Vit & Mins liquids?

And is it easily available in Thailand? (am staying in Chiang Mai)

Thanksss...

[robblok]

A mate of mine bought some vit b injects (glass vials) they were no more as 10-20 baht a pop. I injected them myself.

[Sheryl]

Exactly what type of anemia do you have? As the treatment sounds a bit odd to me.

if you have the exact results of the CBC (blood count) post them here.

If you have a megablastic anemia due to inability to absorb B12, the maintainance treatment is only an injection every few months, it is just at the beginning that more frequent injections are needed to replenish body stores.

If this was newly diagnosed and the cause is not already known it is worth investigating as some underlying causes are treatable.

If you have some other sort of anemia then the B12 injections are unnecessary.

[Soulwy]

I always try to avoid telling the whole story, but OK, here it goes...

I have a very weak immunesystem due to ME/CVS. 'Have been bedridden for many years, and thanks to complementary healing methods I am doing pretty well now.

Lightheadedness, concentration problems, dizziness, headache, feeling tired are common discomforts, but since food poisoning a month ago, all of this has become worse after eating or drinking other than water. I really need to sleep right after a meal, I feel as I have been drugged :-) I have been quite inactive lately.

So there are 2 things to focus on:

1) According to the symptoms the stomach (terribly bloated, hard, painful) seems to be still infected and inflammated and I try to cure this naturally with herbs ( no antibiotics) + I use Pariet for acid reflux and Turmeric tablets against gas. No parasites or bacteria have been found in the stool.

2) The doctor explained that the usual discomforts are worse after eating because the weak system (even weaker after food poisoning) gets activated. Which I thought made sense (it's the 3rd dr. I see for this problem)

Blood test results show that everything is slightly lower or higher than the reference range (see below). Nothing dramatic, but my system reacts pretty sensitive to small differences (also with food, climate etc)

I had a second Vit B12 shot, and this time I did feel a little bit better after an hour. This week I will try 2 more if it really does the trick for me. True Sheryl, later when I feel better, maintenance will be once a month, then once every X months.

And about not absorbing nutrients well: I can't remember if I have been tested on this, but it's something that's come up regularly: using enough Vits and mins, but shown low in test results.

CBC:

*reference range between (...)

HCT: 33.8 (35-45)

HGB: 10 (13-18)

MCH: 26.4 (27-32)

RDW: 17.3 (11.5-14.5)

WBC: 4,400 (5,000-10,000)

RBC: 3.97 (4.5-6.0)

Neutrophil: 68 (45-65)

Lymphocyte: 29 (35-55)

The rest was within the ref. range.

Hepatitis: negative

Liver:

direct Bilirubin: 0.3 (0.0-0.25)

When anemia was mentioned, I recognised it: I had anemia before when I was a teenager (tired, dizzy, uneasy breathing, concentration...)

So that's why I asked about liquid Vits and Mins to start the anti-anemia process.

I'll also go to the pharmacy and ask them if they know anything about the liquids.

Thanks for brainstorming with me.

@ Robblok Kaaskop: I would think twice about taking something that cheap... and I could never inject anything in my veins... But, did it work for you?

[robblok]

It worked for me and it was injected in the muscle not in the veins. Vitamins are not that expensive its just the Dr making money. I used it, my friend used it. I now have no fear for needles anymore though injecting in a muscle is never fun. If you have to do it every day you will even have to rotate injecting spots. I usually went for my buttocs. Either did it myself or let my gf do it.

[Soulwy]

Thanks Rob, in the buttocks I can do, done it before. Not the most pleasant thing to do, though, but at least I don't have to look at the needle piercing in my delicate skin. The needles are longer and thicker, and need to go deeper to reach the muscles...and try to relax at the same time... aaargggghhh... :-(

I just heard about liquid, drinkable vitamines for children.

[Sheryl]

The results you list are more consistent with iron deficiency anemia than with a B12/folate deficiency (the 2 produce different types of anemia).

So I find it odd that your doctor prescribed B12. You might do better seeing a hematologist for this.

Further tests are indicated i.e. serum ferritin, a reticuloycte count and a peripheral blood smear (to look at the appearance of the red cells under microscope, not the same as the CBC). With these a definitive diagnosis of the type of anemia present can be made.

If iron deficiency is confirmed, stool should be checked for occult blood - at least 3 separate samples.

[Soulwy]

Sheryl, your post is much appreciated.

Today I went to the pharmacy and found fluid Vit & Minerals for children & adults, with iron and B12. (Nutroplex, Thai brand, there are 2 different bottles/ different prices & formula, bought both)

I don't understand why she only mentioned tablets for iron.

I am going to try the fluid for a week, and if the condition has not improved, I will see a specialist.

And I might even try to eat meat again...but not really brave enough... :-(

Once again: thank you

[JAS21]

Hi ... I have PMd you re CFS.

[femi fan]

soulwy, you're in chiang mai, so have a look at the chiang mai forum where there's a pinned list of recommended medical doctors or something like that. A gp on the hang dong road got a lot of rave reviews from residents here in c mai. It may be that she would be able to recommend you the best doctor for your problems in the town if she couldn't help you directly.

[Sheryl]

in CM the best source for q good hematologist will be Sripat.

[Soulwy]

Thanks to all for your posts and PMs!

Since I have been using liquid multivits with Iron for a week, I feel better, I even was socially active this weekend!

The GP only gave me B12 shots, but unfortunately she never suggested liquid multivits with Iron. It's incredible what supplements can do for you.

I am still looking for injectable Nevramin (Vitamine B's) but the pharmacists kept me directing to clinics and hospitals, so I guess a prescription is needed for this.

The stomach is still not stable, but slightly better every week. And I keep the hematologist in mind in case I don't recover fully from anemia.

[Sheryl]

I'd also rethink the choice of GP given that she prescribed B12 injections with a CBC that clearly indicated iron deficiency anemia and was not consistent with B12 deficiency.

Get a repeat CBC a month after starting the iron.