If you do not get enough vitamin b12 from your diet then you might need to find the right supplement for you to boost your vitamin b12 levels. Before we talk about the different vitamin b12 supplements, let’s have a look at what vitamin b12 is.
What is vitamin b12?
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential vitamin that your body requires but cannot generate. We get vitamin b12 from our diet.
Vitamin b12 is mainly found in animal-based products so those following a vegan or plant-based diet are more likely to be deficient in vitamin b12.
Foods such as beef, liver, salmon, tuna, eggs, milk and sardines are high in vitamin b12.
How do you know if you are deficient in vitamin b12?
People who are deficient in vitamin b12 can experience a range of symptoms. Some of the main signs and symptoms of vitamin b12 are:
- Tiredness
- Mental fog
- Red or sore mouth/tongue
- Pale skin
- Pins and needles
- Visual disturbances
- Changes in mood
- Changes in movement and balance
You can also get a blood test either through your doctor or from a private provider to test your vitamin b12 levels.
What are the different types of vitamin b12 supplements?
If you need to top up your vitamin b12 levels, there are a number of different supplements available. Finding the right supplement will depend on your preferences and the severity of the symptoms.
Vitamin b12 Tablets – If you prefer to take oral supplements then vitamin b12 is available in the form of tablets as cyanocobalamin.
Oral Spray – You can get a vitamin b12 supplement as an oral spray of cyanocobalamin. These will usually have other vitamins as well such as vitamin C and folic acid.
Oral drops – Vitamin b12 is also available in the form of oral drops from pharmacies and health food stores.
Vitamin B12 injection – Vitamin b12 is available as an intramuscular injection as Hydroxocobalamin. It is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. Hydroxocobalamin is used by clinicians for the prevention and treatment of vitamin b12 deficiency.
You can complete an online medical screen which is reviewed by UK-registered prescribers and once approved, you can attend a local pharmacy to get the b12 injection. A fully trained pharmacist or a pharmacy technician will administer the injection.
What is the cost of vitamin b12 injection?
The vitamin b12 injection service costs from £29. This includes the medical screen and the cost of the injection. You can search for your nearest vitamin b12 injection clinic here.
If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, you are more likely to be deficient in vitamin b12. Read more about the best food sources of vitamin b12 and the main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.