hempstead valley therapy centre
HTC B12 Injection icon

Vitamin B12 injections

Vitamin B12 plays a key role in many aspects of health and can support bone health, red blood cell formation, energy levels and mood.  Eating a nutritious diet or taking a supplement can help ensure you’re meeting your needs however deficiency is common, especially in people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet as B12 is naturally found in animal foods i.e. meat, fish and eggs.

Vitamin B12 injections are the best way of rapidly boosting your levels, having a fast impact on your health and wellbeing.  They may help reduce the risk of the following conditions:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Problems with thinking and memory.
  • Vision loss.
  • Infertility
HTC - Vitamin B12 Injections (2)
HTC - Vitamin B12 Injections

Below are some of the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency:

  • Difficulty thinking and remembering
  • Fatigue
  • Heart palpitations
  • Pale skin
  • Weight Loss
  • Infertility
  • Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
  • Mood changes
  • A sore tongue
  • Low appetite
  • Constipation

The following risk factors can increase the chance of developing Vitamin B12 deficiency:

  • High alcohol consumption
  • Older age
  • Pernicious anaemia
  • Atrophic gastritis
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Coeliac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • History of gastrointestinal surgery
  • Following a plant-based diet
  • Pancreatic insufficiency
  • AIDS
  • Some hereditary conditions that affect vitamin B12 absorption

There are some possibly side effects of Vitamin B12 injections and these can include:

  • Pain, redness, or itching at the site of the injection
  • Mild diarrhea
  • Swelling sensation in the body
  • Temporary itching of the skin

If anyone experiences difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling they need emergency medical help as they may be experiencing anaphylaxis which is a severe allergic reaction.

Vitamin B12 shots may not be suitable for people with a history of:

  • Sensitivity to Vitamin B12
  • Leber’s disease, which affects the optic nerve
  • Kidney problems
  • Hypokalaemia (low potassium level)
  • Deficiencies in other nutrients, particularly folic acid and iron

If you have any questions or want to discuss this aspect of health and well-being further please contact us.

What happens with your B12 Injection Process & Appointment?

  • On booking your B12 Injection appointment you will be sent an electronic prescription screening form to complete and return to our senior nurse practitioner here at Hempstead Therapy Centre.
  • Your screening form will be checked and providing there are no identified reasons for not receiving the injection the prescribing Dr. will authorise the prescription.
  • The administration team will then call you and confirm your appointment.
  • On attending the administering nurse will greet you and once in the treatment room ask you some basic health questions, again check your screening form and check that you consent to proceed with the planned injection.
  • You may always be accompanied by a chaperone. Should you not have someone with you but wish to have a chaperone then one of the team here at the practice would be happy to assist.
  • Our practice operates on a strict infection control policy and following anti-septic swabbing of the injection area the B12 injection will be administered (typically in the side upper arm / shoulder region).
  • You should expect some initial, short lived, discomfort from the injection.
  • Thereafter, a short resting period will be adopted to ensure that you, the patient, are well and ready to leave the therapy area.
  • Follow-up B12 injections would only be arranged post specific scenarios. This should always be first discussed with your nurse or GP. Typically follow up injections would be advised at either 8, 10 or more commonly 12 weeks. Follow up injections are not always required.
  • Should you wish to receive a specific loading dose / series of B12 injections then please speak to our nurse practitioner prior to booking an appointment.

If you have any questions or want to discuss this aspect of health and wellbeing further please contact us on 01634 393113 and speak to our Senior nurse practitioner Samantha.

Prices and Booking