How long did it take after the deficiency was discovered before you were treated?
The remaining 22.7 % had to wait and that took longer than 6 months in 40 % of those cases.
The scientific literature indicates that if the neurological symptoms last longer than 6 months, there is a (large) risk that this is no longer completely reversible.
In some 10 % of the patients there was a delay of more than 6 months before treatment, with potentially significant implications.
There is no reason to wait with treatment after discovery of the deficiency. Any tests for possible causes can also be done during the treatment. Starting treatment as soon as possible would always have priority in view of the risk of irreparable symptoms.
What treatment did you get?
84.3 % of the people were treated with injections. In some cases this was later changed to tablets.
4 % received high dosage tablets (of 1 000 mcg or more) and 2.9 % received low dosed tablets (such as a vitamin B complex).
Mentioned under “Other”:
- No treatment (including people who were given medication to combat the symptoms, but no B12 )
- Dietary advice
- Vitamin B12 spray
What did your treatment with injections consist of?
How many injections did you get as initial therapy and how often did you get follow up injections?
Over half of the patients got the correct loading dose of 10 injections in 5 to 10 weeks.
Over 30 % of the patients got a loading dose which consisted of a weekly injection for a number of weeks, one injection every 2 weeks or no loading dose at all (immediately put on monthly injections or even every two months).
We frequently hear that the value of the serum B12 is used to base treatment on. However, a starting dose should always be given, irrespective of the serum value. The value of serum B12 gives no indication of the extent of the deficiency and the seriousness of the symptoms.
After the loading dose
After the loading dose 30 % of the patients still received weekly injections or more.
Mentioned most often under “Other” were:
- every three months
- every 6 weeks
- no more treatment
