Vitamin B12 Replacement during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are not offering vitamin B12 injections at the practice. Please refer to the following guidelines by the British Society for Haematology for how you can continue to obtain vitamin B12 supplementation during the pandemic

Non-dietary Vitamin B12 deficiency

(including pernicious anaemia, prior gastrectomy, bariatric surgery, achlorhydria, pancreatic insufficiency, short bowel syndrome, bacterial overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease)

Take oral cyanocobalamin at a dose of 1 mg (1000mcg) per day until injections can be resumed

Dietary Vitamin B12 deficiency

Take oral cyanocobalamin tablets, 50–150 micrograms, daily between meals

Cyanocobalamin 1mg (1000mcg) and 50mcg tablets can be purchased from the pharmacy.

  • Eggs
  • Foods which have been fortified with vitamin B12 (for example some soy products, and some breakfast cereals and breads) are good alternative sources to meat, eggs, and dairy products
  • Meat
  • Milk and other dairy products
  • Salmon and cod

Please contact the surgery if you have pernicious anaemia or conditions affecting the gastro-intestinal tract and begin to experience pins and needles, numbness, problems with memory or concentration or irritability.

For further information, please visit the British Society for Haematology website.