It’s quite a sensitive & complex subject, as such we will do our best at providing a clear and concise article to clear any doubts you may have.
What Is Vitamin B12?
Other people who may needs shots include those who have had gastrointestinal surgery if their digestive system cannot absorb vitamin B12 efficiently.
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Most people can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
Treating Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anaemia
The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK is pernicious anaemia, which is not related to your diet.
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. Although it’s less common, people with vitamin B12 deficiency caused by a prolonged poor diet may be advised to stop taking the tablets once their vitamin B12 levels have returned to normal and their diet has improved. 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.
Check the nutrition labels while food shopping to see how much vitamin B12 different foods contain. 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. Your haematologist will advise on how long you need to keep taking the injections.
Cyanocobalamin injections are not routinely available on the NHS as hydroxocobalamin is the preferred treatment. But if you need replacement tablets of vitamin B12, these will usually be in the form of cyanocobalamin.
What Is Vitamin B12 And What Does It Do?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin.
It plays a vital role in brain function and the production of DNA and red blood cells. Chemically, vitamin B12 can exist in a number of different forms, but all of them contain the mineral cobalt.