Private Vitamin Blood Tests

We offer a range of private blood tests to help determine a possible deficiency within certain vitamins e.g. vitamin B12, vitamin D, etc. The tests can also be used to determine the effectiveness of treatment. We have listed some of the common tests in the table below but further tests are available on request.

A consultation is required with a healthcare professional before any blood test is done. We may need to consult with your GP regarding any blood tests previously completed. Some patients will be referred back to their GP for treatment if this is available on the NHS.

Private Vitamin Injections

At our private clinic in Woodhouse Medical Practice, we provide a range of vitamin injections depending on your medical requirement. These include vitamin B12, vitamin D, and a mixture of vitamins B and C. A consultation is completed with our healthcare professional and a blood test may need to be completed before the administration of any injections to ensure this is medically suitable for you.

Vitamin D (colecalciferol)

Role of vitamin D in the body

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate, which is needed for healthy bones and muscles. It has an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system. There is some evidence to suggest that it can help prevent some diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

Bone pain
Lower back pain
Muscle pain
Tiredness
Lack of energy
Frequent infections
Hair loss

People at higher risk of developing vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is common in the UK and certain groups have a higher risk than others. These are as follows:-

People who have little sun exposure e.g. housebound, those who cover up in the sun, etc.
People with darker skin
Elderly people
Pregnant and breast-feeding women
People with a BMI>30
Strict sunscreen use when outdoors
People who may have fat malabsorption e.g. Crohns’ disease, coeliac disease and some liver and kidney diseases
People taking certain medicines e.g. anti-epileptics, antiretrovirals, glucocorticoids
Vegans

Vitamin D blood test

Blood test to diagnose vitamin D deficiency:

Vitamin D levels
Bone profile [calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, albumin]
Urea and electrolytes

Cost: £130

If a blood test to only determine vitamin D levels are required, then this is £60

Pre and post-treatment blood tests

Vitamin D
Calcium
Urea and electrolytes
ALP

Cost: £100

For more information or to book an appointment

Name*

Email

Phone*
Message

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]

Vitamin D treatment

The best way of increasing vitamin D levels is by increasing ultraviolet B sunlight exposure of at least the face and arms for 20 minutes, 2-3 times per week. However, people with melanomas should seek specialist advice.

Increasing vitamin D intake through the diet can also help. Foods that are rich in vitamin D include fortified cereals and fat spreads, red meat, liver, egg yolks and oily fish.

In some patients, sun exposure and dietary intake have little effect on vitamin D levels, so oral vitamin D supplements are recommended. The dose and frequency depends on the level of deficiency, which is established through a blood test.

If oral supplements fail to improve vitamin D levels, we then recommend having a course of vitamin D injections.

Vitamin D toxicity can occur in high doses. High doses of vitamin D over prolonged periods of time can lead to higher calcium levels, which can then weaken the bones and damage the heart and kidneys. Therefore, it is essential to have blood tests completed before and after treatment. This is to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]

Vitamin D injections

There are two types of vitamin D injections:-

1.Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)

Cost: £125 per dose

Dose: 300,000 units every 3 months depending on response

Patient information leaflet:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.9133.pdf

2.Colecalciferol (vitamin D3)

This is not licensed in the UK and is manufactured abroad. It is given if a patient have previously failed to respond to ergocalciferol injections.

Cost: £200 per dose

Dose: 300,000 units every 3 months depending on response

For more information or to book an appointment

Name*
Email
Phone*
Message

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]

Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin)

Role of vitamin B12 in the body

Vitamin B12 is required for physical growth and red blood cell production. It is also required for the absorption of folic acid and carbohydrates from food and for keeping the nerve system healthy. It has an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency

The most predominant feature of B12 deficiency is:-

tiredness and lack of energy

Other symptoms can include:-

sore mouth and tongue
numbness and tingling in the arms and legs
memory loss
mood swings
depression

People at higher risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is usually as a result of poor absorption of vitamin B12 or poor dietary intake. People that are most affected include:-

Vegans
People over the age of 50
Patients with thyroid disorders
Patients with autoimmune disorders such as Coeliac disease or Crohns disease
Patients taking certain medication such as metformin, methotrexate.

Vitamin B12 blood tests

Total B12

Cost: £50

Active B12

Cost: £75

The active B12 test is more sensitive when determining B12 deficiency as it measures the amount of B12 being transported to tissues.

Intrinsic Factor Antibody

Cost: £90

This test will help determine if there is an issue with the absorption of B12 and therefore will determine if the anaemia is a long-term problem.

Methylmalonic Acid Test

Cost: £250

This test is used when B12 levels are within the normal range but symptoms of deficiency are still present.

It is worth noting that as the body only requires a small amount of the vitamin daily,a deficiency may take months or years to develop. Furthermore, the total amount of Vitamin B12 may appear within normal range but the active B12 taken up by the cells maybe lower.

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]

Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin) injection

Vitamin B12 injections can be used to help prevent and treat anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. As vitamin B12 is water-soluble, the body will excrete any amount not required by the body.

Dose: maintenance dose – 1mg every 2-3months

Cost: £50 per dose

Patient information leaflet:

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.31591.latest.pdf

For more information or to book an appointment

Name*
Email
Phone*
Message

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]

Vitamin B12 injections vs oral vitamin B12 tablets

Vitamin B12 comes in different forms such as an injectable solution and oral tablets. It can also be part of a multivitamin tablet.

It is known that, only a small proportion of the oral vitamin B12 gets absorbed, that is, even if there are no abnormalities of the gut affecting absorption. The vitamin B12 injection by passes the absorption in the stomach. This means there will be a higher concentration in the body and it will have a quicker effect than tablets. Therefore, symptoms tend to improve much sooner with vitamin B12 injections.

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]

Vitamins B and C

Role of vitamins B and C in the body

The B group of vitamins are involved in the development and maintenance of the nervous system (brain and nerves) and the formation of blood cells. They help convert food into energy, as well as acting as an antioxidant. Vitamin B6 has an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and is responsible for maintaining a healthy cell structure and producing an important protein, known as collagen, which is found in the skin, bone, cartilage and tendons. Vitamin C also has an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system.

People at higher risk of developing vitamin B and C deficiency

Vitamins B and C are only obtained from the diet. Vitamin B and C deficiencies can arise in the following circumstances:-

from poor diet, particularly in alcoholism or psychiatric states
following surgery
following infections
in conditions where the body cannot effectively absorb nutrients from the gut (malabsorption)
with regular kidney haemodialysis, which removes these vitamins from the blood

Vitamin B and C (Pabrinex) injection

Pabrinex injection has traditionally been used to treat patients who require rapid replacement of the water-soluble B and C vitamins. This injection contains water soluble vitamin C and vitamin (B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinamide) and B6 (pyridoxine). As the vitamins are water-soluble, the body will excrete any vitamins not required by the body.

Dose: This would depend on the level of deficiency

Cost: £70 per dose

Patient information leaflet:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1426.pdf

Warning: in_array() expects parameter 2 to be array, string given in /var/www/wp-content/themes/sfsv/index.php on line 44

Book an appointment now - 0113 221 3533 or 0113 873 0242 - [email protected]