At SkinQure, our CQC-registered clinic provides safe and effective medical injections to address specific nutritional deficiencies. Dr. Charlson administers prescription-grade hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) injections, priced at £50 per dose. As a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM), hydroxocobalamin can only be legally administered after a thorough consultation with a medical prescriber, ensuring your safety and suitability for treatment.
Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is a common condition effectively treated with B12 injections. We primarily use hydroxocobalamin, which is the preferred option in the UK as it stays in the body longer than cyanocobalamin.
- Initial Treatment: Typically, injections are given every other day for two weeks, or until your symptoms show improvement.
- Ongoing Treatment (Diet-Related): If your deficiency is linked to your diet, you may require a hydroxocobalamin injection twice a year. Good dietary sources of B12 include meat, salmon, cod, milk, dairy products, eggs, yeast extract (like Marmite), fortified breakfast cereals, and some soy products. Always check nutrition labels!
- Ongoing Treatment (Not Diet-Related): For deficiencies not caused by diet (e.g., pernicious anaemia, the most common cause in the UK), you’ll usually need a hydroxocobalamin injection every 2 to 3 months for life.
- Neurological Symptoms: If your B12 deficiency has caused neurological issues like numbness or tingling, you’ll be referred to a haematologist and may need injections every 2 months, with their guidance on treatment duration.
Folate Deficiency Treatment
To address folate deficiency anaemia, your GP will typically prescribe daily folic acid tablets to raise your folate levels. They may also provide dietary advice, recommending foods rich in folate such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, chickpeas, and brown rice. Most individuals take folic acid tablets for around 4 months, but if the underlying cause persists, longer-term or even lifelong treatment may be necessary. Before starting folic acid, your GP will check your vitamin B12 levels to ensure they are normal, as folic acid can sometimes mask an underlying B12 deficiency.