Vitamin B12
Item: Vitamin B12
Schedule: 1
Price (per dose): £50
Our Clinics
Liverpool Street
London Vaccination Clinic Spaces
35 New Broad Street, London
EC2M 1NH
London Bridge
8 St Thomas Street
London
SE1 9RS
Kensington
Office 203
239 Kensington High St
W8 6SN
Mayfair
Office 14
Hanover Square, London
W1S1YH
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly.
Vitamin B12 is needed for physical growth and development also needed for forming red blood cells in the bones. It is needed for the absorption of certain vitamins and nutrients from food we eat such as folic acid and carbohydrates which are needed to keep our nerve system healthy
Without the sufficient amount of daily vitamins over time this can lead to deficiency, this takes months or even years to develop. This causes abnormally large cells which reduces the ability of those cells to carry oxygen from enlarged cells in the bone marrow which in turn causes symptoms of anaemia.
The following things can cause anaemia
- Pernicious anaemia
- Conditions that affect the stomach – Surgery to remove all or part of the stomach (gastrectomy)
- Conditions that affect the intestines e.g crohns disease, Chronic gastritis (an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own tissues)
- Lack of vitamins in your diet (Strict vegetarianism)
- Medicines (a doctor would monitor this with regular blood test to inform patient of B12 levels)
- Prophylaxis of macrocytic anaemia associated with vitamin B12
The below is recommended for diet related B12 deficiency;
- Consumption of good sources of vitamin B12 include:
- Meat,
- Salmon and cod,
- Milk and other dairy products,
- Eggs
- For vegetarians or vegan have this such as yeast extract (marmite included), some fortified breakfast cereal and soy products
Non diet-related
Injection of hydroxocobalamin every 2-3 months for the rest of your life (per NHS recommendations)
You may need to have a test prior to injection to check that you do have a deficiency.
There are two types of B12 injection, at London Vaccination Clinic we use Hydroxocobalamin as this has been shown to be more effective.
Hydroxocabalamin starts to work straight away. However, it may take a few days or weeks before your symptoms start to improve and you feel better.
Most adults and children can have hydroxocobalamin injection including pregnant women.
- Drug name – Hydroxocobalamin
- Course –The injection can be given every 6 months if due to a dietary deficiency, or 2-3 months if the cause of your low B12 levels is pernicious anaemia.
- Side effects – The most common side effect is mild pain at the site of injection. YOU may also experience headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, malaise, rash, itching, erythema at injection site, hot flushes, drug fever, urine discolouration, tremors
Regular blood monitoring is advised
Because we specialise in vaccinations, we’re the ideal London Vaccination Clinic for locals and visitors alike.
£65
Our London Travel Clinics
All 4 of our centrally located travel clinics are convenient for people living and working in London. Liverpool Street, London Bridge, High St Kensington, and Mayfair. We are open early morning, lunchtime, evening and weekends and provide all of the vaccinations and medications that you need.
