Diagnosis and Management of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Duration: 1 Day(s)
CPD Hours: 4
Start Time: 13:00
End Time: 16:30
OVERVIEW
NICE (2024) Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms and complications, including physical and mental health problems, neurological problems and cognitive impairment. It is more common in older people but can occur at any age for many reasons such as dietary deficiency, problems with absorption, various medications and use of nitrous oxide. The course will adhere to guidance from NICE (2024) which aims to improve the diagnosis and management of vitamin B12 deficiency, in order to reduce complications and improve quality of life for people with suspected or confirmed vitamin B12 deficiency.
CONTENT
Signs, symptoms and common risk factors
Diagnostic tests and investigations to identify common reversible and irreversible causes of proven vitamin B12 deficiency including:
Types of gastrointestinal surgery
Autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anaemia
Malignancy
Dietary
Medication induced
Nitrous oxide induced
Unknown cause
Management including:
Intramuscular vitamin B12
Oral vitamin B12 replacement
Dietary vitamin B12 supplementation
Diet
Medication review and optimisation
Advice re nitrous oxide use
Contraindications, precautions, adverse drug reactions, risk of anaphylaxis
Injection technique, infection control, storage and disposal of B12 products and injection paraphernalia
Monitoring, follow up and ongoing care including health promotion and support
Legal and professional accountability including:
Principles associated with policies, procedures, protocols and clinic/session/appointment management
Supervised practice, competence and indemnity
Prescribing and authorisation to administer eg PSDs
Informed consent
Record keeping
AIMS AND OUTCOMES
To facilitate diagnosis and management of people with vitamin B12 deficiency from age 16 years
To be able to provide accurate, evidence based information about vitamin B12 deficiency
To be able to explain about tests, investigations and treatments for vitamin B12 deficiency
To provide a safe, effective and high standard of care
