Pernicious Anaemia Society

amber690 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 17 Location: england

I've been on B12 injectiosn avery 10 weeks for ovr a year now. I have a very tongue which i've never had before. I also have a few other symptons back because I have missed and injection which is a month late. Could my sore tongue be down to this also?

AndreaM · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Amber,

A sore tongue is more likely to be due to a folate deficiency. Most of us need a permanent folic acid supplement as it is necessary to enable you to absorb the most from your B12 injections. Without sufficient folate, most of the B12 is simply excreted in the urine.

I would suggest you ask for a folate test (don't eat for 12 hours before it) and if the result is a level no more than low normal, ask for a 5mg folic acid supplement for a few months. You will probably have to stay on some level of folic acid permanently.

Andrea

pvanderaa · Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 416 Location: West Virginia

Sore tongue is usually a sign of B12 deficiency not a side effect of the jabs.

There is a poll and a link contains some pictures.
http://www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=11768

My tongue gets sore when my B12 levels are getting low and I'm due another jab. It's my best indicator that I getting low on B12. I'm on daily folic acid and methyl subl and still get a sore tongue on occasion.
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Thanks, Paul - Riding this PA roller coaster while challenged by dyslexic dysgraphia (I correctly spell the wrong word).

amber690 · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 17 Location: england

Thank you both for your speedy replies.

I'm just concerned because a sore tongue was never one of my symptoms before I started B!".

I will get to the doctors in the week for my B12 jab.

Do you mean folic acid like we give to babys?

pvanderaa · Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 416 Location: West Virginia

AndreaM · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 5:35 pm Post subject:

Hi Amber,

A sore tongue can also be due to a B12 deficiency but it usually means you are not getting enough B12 and that can be due to malabsorption of the injected B12 due to a folate deficiency.

I would still advise you to try your doctor first before supplementing as the folic acid he would give is much stronger than what you can buy. If you supplement on your own before that, it will affect the test and make it appear that you have a much higher level than you actually do.

Andrea