Vitamin B12 Deficiency Treatment
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How to Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Oral Vitamin B12 Supplement
This treatment consists of high doses of an oral vitamin B12 supplement.
Vitamin B12 Injections
The doctor may advise the patient to receive injections of vitamin B12 into a muscle. Injections of vitamin B12 may be given 2-4 days per week. When blood tests show improvement, the doctor may give injections on a monthly basis.
Treatment With Antibiotics
This type of medication may be needed in cases where bacterial overgrowth in the intestines exists. The bacteria compete with the body to absorb the vitamin B12 in the intestines.
Intranasal Vitamin B12
The doctor gives the patient a supplement of vitamin B12 that is placed in the nose.
Oral Iron Therapy
The physician will recommend this treatment when an iron deficiency exists. In this case, the doctor will tell the patient to take iron supplements before treating with vitamin B12.
