We’re frequently asked in our comment section about: vitamin b12 deficiency treatment. Truth is we’ve been delaying this article for a while until we had enough information & facts to allow us to enlighten our readers.
Contents
Most people can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
Treating Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anaemia
Diet-related
If your vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by a lack of the vitamin in your diet, you may be prescribed vitamin B12 tablets to take every day between meals. Or you may need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin twice a year.
People who find it difficult to get enough vitamin B12 in their diets, such as those following a vegan diet, may need vitamin B12 tablets for life. Good sources of vitamin B12 include:
meat
salmon and cod
milk and other dairy products
eggs
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, or are looking for alternatives to meat and dairy products, there are other foods that contain vitamin B12, such as yeast extract (including Marmite), as well as some fortified breakfast cereals and soy products. Not diet-related
If your vitamin B12 deficiency is not caused by a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, you’ll usually need to have an injection of hydroxocobalamin every 2 to 3 months for the rest of your life.
For injections of vitamin B12 given in the UK, hydroxocobalamin is preferred to an alternative called cyanocobalamin. Cyanocobalamin injections are not routinely available on the NHS as hydroxocobalamin is the preferred treatment.
Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Or Folate Deficiency
There are several different types of anaemia and each one has a different cause.
For example, iron deficiency anaemia happens when the body does not contain enough iron. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of problems, including: extreme tiredness
a lack of energy
pins and needles (paraesthesia)
a sore and red tongue
mouth ulcers
muscle weakness
disturbed vision
psychological problems, which may include depression and confusion
problems with memory, understanding and judgement Some of these problems can also happen if you have a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate but do not have anaemia.
When To See A Gp
See a GP if you think you may have a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
This is because although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible. Then, depending on whether your B12 deficiency is related to your diet, you’ll either require B12 tablets between meals or regular injections. Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels.
These usually need to be taken for 4 months. In some cases, improving your diet can help treat the condition and prevent it coming back. The best sources of folate include green vegetables, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and peas.