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Treatment of B12 deficiency

B12 deficiency is treated with a course of vitamin injections. A form of vitamin B12 known as hydroxocobalamin is injected into a muscle once every two to four days. Around six injections are given, which is enough to build up a store of vitamin B12 in the body.

The symptoms of anaemia usually improve quickly once treatment has begun. You may be advised to have a blood test every year or so. This will check that the anaemia is being treated successfully.

It is common to need maintenance injections of vitamin B12 every three months for life to stop the problems coming back.

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