Weight and Metabolic Health
Vitamin B12 Injections
Convenient B12 injections close to home, for people with diagnosed deficiency and those at higher risk.
- Appointment
- Quick appointment
- Age
- Adults 18 and over
- Beforehand
- Assessment first
- Where
- Local to Berkeley
About this service
Vitamin B12 injections are available at Berkeley Pharmacy for people with a diagnosed deficiency and those at higher risk, offered close to home so you do not have to travel for your regular appointments. We assess everyone before treating, because B12 deficiency needs to be properly understood rather than simply injected.
We welcome patients from Berkeley, Dursley, Cam, Sharpness, Stroud and the surrounding area, whether you are already on maintenance injections and want them locally, or you are at risk of deficiency and would like to be assessed. We will always tell you honestly if investigation should come before treatment.
What vitamin B12 deficiency is
Vitamin B12 is needed for healthy red blood cells and for the nervous system, and deficiency can cause tiredness, breathlessness, pins and needles, a sore red tongue, mouth ulcers, poor balance, low mood and problems with memory and concentration. Deficiency has several causes, including pernicious anaemia, which is an autoimmune condition that stops B12 being absorbed, a diet with little or no animal produce, conditions affecting the stomach or bowel including coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and previous stomach or bowel surgery, and long term use of certain medicines, including some used for diabetes and acid-reducing medicines.
Nerve symptoms can become permanent if deficiency is left untreated, so it matters that deficiency is properly investigated rather than simply treated. Where deficiency has been diagnosed, treatment is normally an initial series of injections followed by maintenance injections at regular intervals. We assess everyone before treating and will refer you for investigation rather than treating blind if that is what is needed.
Who this service is for
Suitable for
- Adults with a confirmed B12 deficiency who need maintenance injections
- People already on maintenance who want them locally rather than travelling
- Vegans and long term vegetarians at risk of deficiency
- People who have had stomach or bowel surgery, or who have a condition affecting absorption
- People on long term medicines that can affect B12 levels
- Anyone whose symptoms and blood results have been discussed with their GP
Not suitable for
- Anyone with symptoms but no diagnosis and no blood test, who needs investigation first, which we will help arrange
- Known allergy to the injection or to cobalt
- Leber’s hereditary optic atrophy
- Under 18s
- Anyone whose symptoms suggest something else that needs medical assessment
How it works
A simple, consistent process for every service at Berkeley Pharmacy.
Get in touch
Call us or use our contact form to arrange a consultation.
Consultation
A private, face-to-face appointment with our pharmacist in our Berkeley consultation room.
Clinical assessment
We review your medical history and confirm whether the service is suitable for you.
Treatment or referral
If it is suitable we treat you the same day; if not, we explain why and advise on the best next step.
What to expect at your appointment
Your appointment begins with a consultation so we can confirm injections are appropriate for you now, or whether investigation should come first.
- A consultation covering your symptoms, diagnosis, previous blood results and any letters or records you can bring
- A review of your medical history and current medicines
- A clear explanation of whether injections are appropriate for you now, or whether investigation should come first
- The injection into your upper arm or buttock
- Your next appointment booked before you leave
- A written record and, with your consent, a note to your GP
Aftercare and safety
Mild soreness at the injection site is common and settles quickly. Symptoms often improve gradually over weeks rather than immediately, and nerve symptoms can take longest.
- Mild soreness at the injection site is common and settles quickly
- Symptoms often improve gradually over weeks rather than immediately, and nerve symptoms can take longest
- Keep to your injection intervals rather than waiting until symptoms return
- Tell us about any new numbness, weakness, balance problems or visual symptoms, which need medical review
- Continue any dietary advice or supplements your GP has recommended
- Contact us on 01453 810316 if you are unsure when your next injection is due
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a blood test before having B12 injections?
Yes, in most cases. B12 deficiency should be properly investigated with a blood test before treatment, because the cause matters and nerve symptoms can become permanent if deficiency is left untreated. If you have symptoms but no diagnosis and no blood test, we will help arrange investigation rather than treat blind.
Can I have B12 injections if my GP has diagnosed pernicious anaemia?
Yes. If your GP has diagnosed pernicious anaemia or another cause of B12 deficiency and you need maintenance injections, we can provide them locally so you do not have to travel. Bring any letters or blood results you have to your first appointment.
How often will I need an injection?
This depends on your diagnosis and what your GP has recommended. Treatment is normally an initial series of injections followed by maintenance injections at regular intervals. We will confirm the right interval for you at your assessment and book your next appointment before you leave.
Are B12 injections better than tablets?
It depends on the cause of your deficiency. If the problem is how well your body absorbs B12, for example in pernicious anaemia or after stomach or bowel surgery, injections are usually needed because tablets may not be absorbed. If your diet is the cause, dietary advice and supplements may be enough. We assess which is right for you.
What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?
Deficiency can cause tiredness, breathlessness, pins and needles, a sore red tongue, mouth ulcers, poor balance, low mood and problems with memory and concentration. Because these symptoms can have other causes, it is important to be properly assessed and tested rather than assuming B12 is the answer.
Can vegans and vegetarians have this service?
Yes. Vegans and long term vegetarians are at higher risk of B12 deficiency because the vitamin is found mainly in animal produce. We can assess you, arrange a blood test if needed, and advise on whether injections, supplements or dietary changes are appropriate for you.
How we can supply treatment without a GP appointment
Some treatments at Berkeley Pharmacy are supplied under a Patient Group Direction, or PGD – a written instruction, signed by a doctor and a pharmacist, that legally allows our trained pharmacists to supply and administer specified medicines to people who meet defined clinical criteria, without a prescription from your GP. If you do not meet the criteria set out in the PGD we cannot supply the treatment, and we will explain why and advise you on the best next step. Our pharmacists also work as independent prescribers where that is appropriate.
Serving Berkeley and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages
Berkeley Pharmacy is on Market Place in the centre of Berkeley, with easy access from junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. We welcome patients from Berkeley, Sharpness, Newport, Berkeley Heath, Alkington, Ham, Stone and Rockhampton, and we are a short drive from Cam, Dursley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Falfield, Charfield, Tortworth, Cromhall, Oldbury-on-Severn, Wotton-under-Edge, Thornbury, Frampton on Severn and Stonehouse. Patients also travel to us from Stroud, Nailsworth, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Tetbury and Gloucester.
Safe, regulated care from your local pharmacy team
- Berkeley Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check any pharmacy or pharmacist on the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org.
- Every consultation is face to face and private, in our dedicated consultation room – not an online questionnaire.
- Serving the Berkeley community for over 25 years.
- This service does not replace care from your GP. With your consent we will inform your GP of any treatment provided. If you are unwell, have new or worsening symptoms, or need urgent care, contact your GP or NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.
- If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027.
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Find out moreSpeak to our pharmacy team about vitamin b12 injections
Visit us in Berkeley or get in touch to arrange a private consultation with our pharmacist.
Book a consultation Call 01453 810316
Address
14 Market Place, Berkeley, GL13 9BB
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed 1–2pm)
Sat 9am–1pm
Sun Closed