site of b12 injection How to Perform a Subcutaneous Vitamin How to Give Yourself a

Description

We erred on the side of lower passive absorption for children and decided not to recommend doses less frequently than once per day for children up to 3 years of age

The GP will take a detailed history including: Current medications and supplements (particularly B12 injections or high-dose oral preparations) Alcohol consumption and risk factors for liver disease Personal or family history of haematological disorders or cancer Symptoms suggesting underlying pathology Recommended investigations: Patients with unexplained elevated B12 should undergo: Repeat B12 measurement to confirm persistence, ideally timed away from recent injections or high-dose supplements Full blood count (FBC): To identify polycythaemia, leucocytosis, or other haematological abnormalities Liver function tests (LFTs): Including ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, and albumin to assess hepatic function Renal function tests: Urea, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH): Elevated in haemolysis, liver disease, and some malignancies Further investigations may include: Abdominal ultrasound or CT scanning if liver disease or malignancy suspected Haematology referral for bone marrow examination if myeloproliferative disorder considered Liaison with the laboratory if results conflict with the clinical picture, as immunoassay interference (e.g., macro-B12) may occur In specialist settings, measurement of holo-transcobalamin or B12-binding proteins may be considered The urgency of investigation depends on clinical features and suspected underlying conditions

Take Away Although there are a number of different causes, one of the most common culprits is an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut which interferes with the absorption of B12 from our food