Vitamin Injections

Vegans/Vegetarians, people following restrictive diets, alcoholics, people suffering from persistent stress.  

The elderly: As we age, the ability to digest and absorb Vitamin B12 may decrease. Between 15-40% of people over 60 have low serum B12 levels (Pacholok & Stuart, 2011).  

People with a Medical or Surgical History of bariatric surgery or who have had part of their intestines removed, as well as those with absorptive disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, and those with duodenal ulcers.  

Also persistent diarrhoea sufferers. 

Certain medications such as Metformin, H2-receptor antagonists including Zantac (Ranitidine), Tagamet(Cimetedine), Famotidine, Pepcid AC (Oral Pepcid), Axid AR (Nizatidine), Proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s)including Prilosec (Omeprazole), Nexium (Esomeprazole), Prevacid (Lanzoprazole)  and Antacids e.g:Gaviscon can also affect your ability to absorb vitamin B12. 

Initially, one injection intramuscularly per week on or around the same day for a maximum of 6 weeks.  

Then a maintenance of one injection monthly may be advised. 

The body stores Vitamin B12 readily, so maintenance may not be necessary or requested by patients for several months at a time.

Evidence of administering Vitamin B12 injections suggests that patients’ report a wealth of benefits from treatment. These include, (but not limited to) more physical energy, mental alertness and stamina for everyday tasks, improved sleeping patterns, feeling emotionally brighter/happier, better short-term memory, finding it easier to exercise and lose weight, less frequency in urination and improved bladder continence. Generally, an all round feeling of “improved wellness” 

A vitamin B12 injection is generally very safe and has no side effects including administration in higher doses. This is largely because the vitamin is water-soluble and your body will eliminate it through urine if it has an excessive amount. 

In rare cases you may suffer bruising, redness, swelling or itching at the injection site which is normally transient and limited to 48 hours. Also diarrhoea, peripheral vascular thrombosis, transitory exanthema, or urticaria. 

It is never possible to rule out the risk of allergy or anaphylaxis to a medication please let us know if you have any sensitivities to cobalt or cobalamin, or ANY OTHER ALLERGY HISTORY prior to treatment.  

Blood testing is the recommended option for concerning symptoms of anaemia or worsening health. Please speak with your GP, nurse prescriber or private medical consultant for advice on this. Our option for vitamin B12 injections are for “Improved Wellness” and do not constitute a medical plan of treatment based on blood testing. 

Vitamin D3 helps maintain good health and has been shown to be beneficial in helping to: support bone health, prevent fractures, help with back pain, regulate hormones and alleviate some symptoms of depression.

Vitamin D3 Injections are better absorbed by the body since they go directly into the blood stream. Alternatives to these injections are Oral Vitamins, Lozengers, Liquid drops and Nasal Spray.

Yes this would be prescribed by our resident nurse prescriber should it be deemed a suitable treatment for you.

There is a risk of mild diarrhoea, upset stomach, nausea, a feeling of pain and warm sensation at the site of the injection, a feeling or a sense of being swollen over the entire body, headache and joint pain.

Some uncommon side effects that could occur are some weakness, nausea, bowel problems, dizziness, lethargy, weight loss, thirst, nervous irritability, itchy skin, frequent urination, high levels of calcium.

As with any medication allergic reactions can occur, this is why this would only be administered by our registered nurse.

According to Professor Adrian R Martineau, 1 March 2015, in his article discussing the main recommendations for healthcare practitioners in NICE Public Health (PH) guidance 56 on Vitamin D: increasing supplement use among at-risk groups: "Health professionals do not need to routinely test vitamin D status in asymptomatic people in at-risk groups before advising them to take a vitamin D supplement”.

A single dose every 3-6 months in the winter months.