How often b12 injections are administered depends on depend on whether your vitamin b12 deficiency is linked to your diet or if the deficiency is causing any neurological issues and the type of vitamin B12 injection prescribed. Vitamin B12 injection is generally used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. The two types of vitamins B12 injections available are:
- hydroxocobalamin
- cyanocobalamin
Hydroxocobalamin is the recommended type as it lasts longer in your body.
Now this is how often b12 injections should be administered
You will be initially prescribed this on alternate days for two weeks until your symptoms improve after which, the frequency of your b12 injection will depend on whether your vitamin b12 deficiency is linked to your diet or if the deficiency is causing any neurological issues, e.g., problems with memory, behaviour or thinking.
Most vitamin B12 deficiency in Nigeria is because of pernicious anaemia, which is not diet related.
Treating diet-related vitamin B12 deficiency
Diet related vitamin B12 deficiency is usually treated with vitamin B12 tablets to be taken between meals every day. Some people may have twice yearly injection of hydroxocobalamin instead.
Non-diet-related vitamin B12 deficiency
Non-diet-related vitamin B12 deficiency is usually treated an injection of hydroxocobalamin which you must get every 2 to 3 months lifelong or cyanocobalamin which you must get monthly for the rest of your life.
How often should you take Vitamin B12 injection after bariatric surgery
BOMMS recommends that those who have had bariatric surgery take an intramuscular vitamin B12 injection every three months. Some bariatric vitamins have a good amount of vitamin B12 in them.