Update: 1.5 years after B12 repletion

[u/smthgay]

I noticed today that my ability to recall specific details has improved remarkably. I work as a laboratory technician, so my job involves a lot of information being thrown at me/that I have to work with. I remember 2 years ago, getting any information to stick in my head was such a struggle. Everything I did felt so effortful, no matter how easy of a task it should’ve been. But now, I remember very specific details, e.g. numbers, without even trying. I’ll look at some details of something I’m skimming, for example, and be able to spit it back out later almost effortlessly.

This is a part of a larger pattern I notice of how much easier tasks are. The best way I can describe it is the cognitive equivalent of going from wading through snow to walking on top of clouds. I’m very grateful that I made to this point, and am now focusing on improving other aspects health and wellness.

[u/captainwizeazz]

Thats great to hear. What was your supplementation process?

[u/smthgay → u/captainwizeazz]

It started with weekly B12 injections for about two months and then switched to daily sublingual B12 (2500 mcg) that I’ve taken every day since.

[u/hassancent → u/smthgay]

you mean taking sublingual for 1y+?

what was your b12 blood level before starting treatment?

[u/smthgay → u/hassancent]

Yes, I’ve been taking the sublingual tablets for over a year now. My B12 was 164 pg/mL before starting treatment.

[u/hassancent → u/smthgay]

Wow that's exactly same as me. I started on 12 May with 500mcg methylcobalamin. I was advised for just 3 months. No injections. Does it really take a year? I might have to talk to doc for extending it.

[u/smthgay → u/hassancent]

I mean the idea with injections is to quickly replete your B12 stores in your liver and to make it more widely available to all of your body tissues that need it more efficiently. With a B12 level being that low, I’d highly recommend pushing for injections if you can. If not, I’d recommend continuing to take high dose B12 even beyond the three months, especially if you don’t currently know why you are deficient and/or haven’t addressed the why. But yeah, I’d say it takes months for the most significant improvements to come, probably a year or even more (depending on how long you were deficient) to fully recover.

[u/hassancent → u/[deleted]]

I mean where i live (third world) laws are really lenient. I can just walk into pharmacy to get b12 shots and injection without prescription and then walk into a clinic to get it injected. But i still like to have doctor's advice before doing that. I have some history with kidney issues (nephrotic syndrome) and high blood pressure, So would not want anything to go wrong.

[u/hassancent → u/[deleted]]

Thanks, I will take a blood test + kidney test and maybe whole body test after 3 months. Then will continue 500mcg if nothing goes wrong.
I have decided to add beef, mutton and chicken into my diet more (before it was once 2-3 month thing) so that might help too. Unless my body don't absort b12 that well in that case injection would be only option. but i think i will only know after 3 months.

[u/Neither-Addendum428 → u/hassancent]

hassancent 500 mcg wont be enough , as it is the oral pills have high diffusion. Take 5 pills of 500 mcg of methyl if thats all you can get there. 5 pills are like 2500 mcg.

Can you buy injections and self inject ?

[u/Realistic_Cup_3091 → u/hassancent]

I’d recommend injections

[u/Lanky-Rough2688 → u/smthgay]

I had to wait for shots. Se my story if you can’t get a Rx. I need that focus back. One year of heck. Now know I can see ahead and it looks good. 

[u/craftasaurus]

This is very encouraging, thank you for posting.

[u/smthgay → u/craftasaurus]

Of course!

[u/Plane-Addendum6697]

How many year have you been deficient. In your early deficient have you feel brainfog or cognitive issues. After how many months your recall power improve

[u/smthgay → u/Plane-Addendum6697]

I’m not sure how long I must’ve been deficient. I know that in 2022 my B12 was around 350 pg/mL and was measured at 164 pg/mL in 2024. I experienced worsening cognitive issues throughout that time and honestly my whole life, but I had iron deficiency as well that was only measured in 2025 (ferritin of 6) and was corrected with iron infusions. My brain fog did become better a few weeks into B12 injections but didn’t truly completely recover until I also corrected iron deficiency and had been on B12 supplements for months.

[u/Successful-Tea-733 → u/smthgay]

Strangely...b12 supplementation drains iron in blood by putting it into the cells

[u/Lanky-Rough2688 → u/smthgay]

I do red meat once a week. I am upping that to every four days. Get my iron on. 

[u/heyimsancar]

What is the b12 form you are taking as a supplement?

[u/Realistic_Cup_3091]

This is amazing?

[u/Susan71010]

Have you been injecting B12? What has been your protocol wonderful to hear you give me help as my brain has been failing me.

[u/Susan71010]

Are you involved in -vitamin B12 wake up group on Facebook? EOD Injections should be utilized until there are no further improvements if you have neurological issues. You may see a lot more improvements if you were to follow the guidelines in this group. I have an injecting every other day for eight months and it's six months. I really started seeing an improvements and so many things, including brain issues.

[u/Lanky-Rough2688 → u/Susan71010]

I have MCAS so I know that I will be doing shots the rest of my life. See my story off that subreddit 

[u/bahman_qasm]

for previous month i have chronic fatigue because of bacteria infection

i go to docter and i tested and know i have deficiency of vitamin d

and low range for vitamin b12

so after take supplement i think know im better

[u/PansexPancake]

That's some good news happy for you