Low vitamin B12 can cause fatigue, brain fog, pins and needles and low mood. We offer doctor-led B12 assessment and hydroxocobalamin injections — either as a one-off top-up or as a loading and maintenance course — with the option of a blood test first so treatment is based on need, not guesswork.
Educational information — not a substitute for clinical assessment
This page explains vitamin B12 deficiency and treatment in general terms. It is not a diagnosis. Whether you need injections — and how often — depends on your symptoms, your blood results and the cause, which we assess at consultation.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for healthy red blood cells, nerve function and DNA production. The body cannot make it — we get it from animal foods (meat, fish, eggs, dairy) and absorb it in the gut with the help of a protein called intrinsic factor. When intake or absorption falls short, levels drop, sometimes slowly over months or years.
Symptoms are often vague and easy to attribute to a busy life. Common ones include:
Replacing B12 without asking why it is low can miss something important — such as pernicious anaemia or a malabsorption problem. We assess the likely cause and advise on testing and follow-up, not just the injection.
If you have not had recent bloods, we usually recommend checking your B12 level (and often folate, ferritin and a full blood count) before starting injections, so treatment is based on need. If you already have results showing deficiency, bring them and we can often treat the same day.
We use hydroxocobalamin, the form used across the UK. It is given as a quick intramuscular injection, usually into the upper arm or buttock.
For confirmed deficiency, a typical course is several “loading” injections over two weeks, followed by maintenance injections every few months. For diet-related deficiency the schedule may differ. We will agree a plan with you based on your cause and response.
Some people want a single B12 injection for general wellbeing. We are happy to discuss this, but we will always be honest about whether it is likely to help you specifically.
Book if you have symptoms of deficiency, a known low B12 level, or a condition or medication that increases your risk. See your GP or seek urgent help for severe symptoms such as significant numbness, weakness or balance problems, which need prompt assessment.
Current prices are on our Fees page, including options for a single injection or a full loading and maintenance course.
If you have no recent results, we usually recommend one so treatment is based on need. If you already have bloods confirming deficiency, bring them and we can often treat the same day.
It is a quick intramuscular injection. Most people feel only a brief sting and mild soreness afterwards.
It depends on the cause. Pernicious anaemia usually needs lifelong maintenance every few months; diet-related deficiency may need less. We agree a plan with you.
For some causes, high-dose oral B12 works well. For absorption problems such as pernicious anaemia, injections are usually needed. We will advise what suits you.
With your consent, we can share what we have done so your records stay joined up.
Care at Tower Bridge Hospital London is delivered by a small clinical team, with Dr Haydar Bolat as Clinical Director. The specific clinicians involved in your care depend on the plan agreed with you at consultation.
UK-registered GP and Clinical Director at MHW. Assesses vitamin B12 deficiency, arranges appropriate blood tests, and prescribes hydroxocobalamin injection courses based on cause and response.
View profileLanguages spoken across the team: English, Turkish, Bulgarian, Bengali, Hindi, Albanian, Azerbaijani, German, Romanian. We can also arrange professional telephone interpreters in most other languages at no extra cost. More on languages and interpreters →
This page was reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat, Clinical Director at Tower Bridge Hospital London. Content is based on NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries on vitamin B12 and folate deficiency and current UK clinical practice. It is updated when guidance changes. Educational information only — not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Book a B12 assessment. We will check whether injections are right for you and start treatment when appropriate.