Vitamin B12 Injection

Service Description

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps to keep your nerves and blood cells healthy. Our bodies don’t make Vitamin B12, it is obtained from foods such as meat, fish, milk and eggs. You may have a deficiency if you are vegan, don’t eat enough B12 rich food, or if you have other health conditions which mean you are unable to absorb it properly. WHAT IS VITAMIN B12 AND WHAT DOES IT DO? Vitamin B12 is available as an intramuscular injection called hydroxocobalamin. Vitamin B12 is required to help your body to use fat and carbohydrate for energy and it also helps to make protein and DNA. It is an essential vitamin to help maintain blood, nerve cells and neurological function. Vitamin B12 is only found naturally in animal products and dietary sources include liver, fish, meat, eggs, dairy produce, yeast extract (such as marmite) and foods that have been fortified with B12. WHAT CAUSES VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY? Vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common, and the main causes are: -Pernicious anaemia -Vegan and Vegetarian diets -Poor diet or extreme dieting over a prolonged period of time -Taking certain medications such as antacids, metformin or anti- convulsants -Previous bowel surgery or conditions affecting the bowel -Increasing age -Risk factors also include smoking and alcohol excess WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LOW B12 LEVELS? Extreme tiredness, lethargy, feeling faint, pins and needles, sore tongue, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, confusion, poor memory, depression. If you feel that you have these symptoms, oral supplements of Vitamin B12 can be taken. You should make an appointment to see your GP, who may do a blood test to check your levels of Vitamin B12 and investigate any underlying cause of your deficiency. VITAMIN B12 INJECTIONS Can help to relieve symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency and some people find regular injections are very helpful. Vitamin B12 is injected using a fine needle, usually into the muscle at the top of the arm. As with any injection, it can sting and cause a slight burning sensation when it is administered. All treatments and medications have risk associated with them, however millions of treatments have been carried out worldwide and when Vitamin B12 has been sourced from a reputable pharmacy and administered by a qualified practitioner, the risks are very low.