Vitamin B12 Wellness Service in Chippenham Book Now
Low Vitamin B12 versus Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 (or folate) deficiency occurs when there is a lack of vitamin B12 which causes the body to create abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly. Red blood cells are vital for the body as oxygen is transported in haemoglobin found in these cells. It also plays and important role in keeping our immune system fit and healthy.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is different to anaemia where the body has too few blood cells or too little haemoglobin to transport the oxygen.
If you experiencing symptoms of tiredness and a lack of energy it does not necessarily mean that you have a deficiency, you may just be suffering low vitamin B12 which our clinical team can help and support with.
Symptoms of a Low Vitamin B12 or Deficiency
Vitamin B12 performs a vital role in keeping our body functioning correctly and when the levels drop, you experience some of the following symptoms:
- extreme tiredness
- lack of energy
- pins and needles
- sore and red tongue
- mouth ulcers
- muscle weakness
How to get yourself checked
Diagnosing a vitamin B12 deficiency is via a blood test which can be arranged through your GP on the NHS or privately through Chippenham Pharmacy and Health Clinic. Whichever route you choose, it is vital that if you are experiencing the symptoms, your get yourself tested as some of the problems can be irreversible. Identifying low levels of Vitamin B12 can be via a consultation with one of our team.
Treating Low Vitamin B12 Levels
Initial treatment to boost your levels is often via injection. Longer term, depending on your readings this could then be via diet, or supplemented with B12 tablets or injections. In some instances, this is short term, however in others this could be for the rest of your life.
You will need a consultation with our clinician to confirm the diagnosis of low Vitamin B12 levels, or alternatively we will need to perform a blood test to accurately identify the deficiency before we can initiate treatment.
The vitamin B12 injection costs £33