For patients seeking weight loss who request B12 injections, GPs should: Assess for genuine deficiency through appropriate blood tests rather than empirical treatment Provide education about the lack of evidence supporting B12 for weight loss in non-deficient individuals Explore underlying concerns about weight and energy levels, addressing these through appropriate channels Signpost to evidence-based resources such as NHS weight management services according to local pathways Patients should contact their GP if they experience unexplained fatigue, neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling, balance problems), or signs of anaemia (pallor, breathlessness, palpitations), as these may indicate B12 deficiency requiring investigation
Using the Wrong Diluent: We sometimes hear about researchers using sterile water because it was all they had
Some more sensitive compounds don't tolerate the benzyl alcohol preservative well and are better suited to preservative-free sterile water or saline, even though this typically means the reconstituted solution should be used sooner rather than stored for weeks
Tiredness, stress, ill-health, poor or limited diet will all reduce this absorption further. For some people, taking a vitamin B12 supplement is one of the easiest ways to maintain healthy levels
and Tyler et al
