Question about B12 absorption

[RedWellies]

A friend of mine has been told she cannot absorb B12 correctly. The doctors have suggested a B12 injection but she doesn't really want to do that. I know there are lots of threads here on the subject of B12 but can someone please let me know of any experiences with the injection and any information on whether there is any way she can change the way her body absorbs B12? I need the answers brief and concise if possible. Thanks!

[mjnewbould]

If injections are suggested then it is likely that she has pernicious anaemia - thjat is to say she develops antibodies against the molecule that is needed to absorb B12 and destroys it- this is something that is not at all uncommon and sometimes those with it have other disorders like inactive thyroid or diabetes I - though not always. Those eho have this can get the really severe complications of edficiency (that I'm not sure are ever seen with dietry deficiency). The only way i know to really circumvent the problems with absorbtion is a monthly injection - though before the aetiology was discovered they suffereers used to have to eat massive amounts of B12 containing food like raw liver I understand - so it might be there is an alternative. i think most people with the disorder do eventuallu accept that the injection is the most conveniant way round the problem

[Korn]

These links may interest you, RedWellies:
http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9391
http://www.veganforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=30034
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030301/979.html

[RedWellies]

Thanks, Korn and Mjnewbould. I will pass that on to my friend.

[Gorilla]

my mum has to have B12 injections because she's diabetic. i'm not sure there's a better way round it, as mj said.

[Michael Benis]

Sublingual/oral administration of B12 = cobalamins (often methylcobalamin) has in some studies been shown to be as effective as injections of the injectable form (often hydroxycobalamin). See http://fampra.oxfordjournals.org/cgi.../full/23/3/279 but it really depends why the doctor is recommending injections. It could be worth pointing them towards that study (and others)....

Cheers

Mike