Guidance: NICE guidelines on vitamin B12 deficiency in adults

NICE guidance on recognition and management of vitamin B12 deficiency in over-16s is summarised in this learning module for GPs and other healthcare professionals.

1 CPD hour

This module describes the current NICE guidance on the recognition, diagnosis and management of vitamin B12 deficiency, including deficiency caused by autoimmune gastritis or nitrous oxide misuse. It also covers recommendations in the guideline around monitoring for gastric cancer in people with autoimmune gastritis.

Educational objectives

After taking this module, healthcare professionals will be better able to:

  • Recognise vitamin B12 deficiency, identify the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency and tailor the treatment to individuals
  • Understand which tests to use for the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency and how to interpret total or active B12 test results, taking into account factors affecting these results
  • Know how to manage vitamin B12 deficiency with both oral and intramuscular vitamin B12 replacement
  • Monitor for gastric cancer in patients with suspected or confirmed autoimmune gastritis

Author
Haymarket Medical
Twickenham
UK

Reviewer
Dr Pipin Singh
GP
Tyne and Wear
UK

Published: 29 July 2024

Review due: 29 July 2027

Image credit: Akaradech Pramoonsin/Getty Images