A B12 injection is a shot of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) into a muscle. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby, the Pure B12 / B-Complex Shot is a 15-minute appointment that costs $130. Whether you need one is a separate question: checking your B12 level with bloodwork usually comes first, and for many people with low B12, oral supplements are an option worth discussing.
If you have searched "B12 injection Burnaby" or "B12 shot Vancouver", you will see B12 offered everywhere from pharmacies to wellness lounges. This article explains who tends to run low on B12, which blood tests are used to check, how injections compare with oral B12, what happens at the 15-minute appointment, what it costs and how to claim it, and when your family physician should be involved.
What is vitamin B12, and why does it matter?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin needed to make red blood cells, maintain nerves and produce DNA. The body stores a reserve in the liver, which is why a deficiency can take months or years to show.
B12 comes almost entirely from animal foods: meat, fish, eggs and dairy, plus fortified products such as some plant-based drinks and nutritional yeast. To absorb it, your stomach needs acid and a protein called intrinsic factor, and your small intestine needs to be working normally. Problems at any of those steps can lower B12 even if your diet contains enough.
HealthLink BC notes that B12 deficiency can cause tiredness, weakness, pale skin, a sore tongue, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and problems with balance or memory. Those symptoms are not specific to B12, which is why testing matters.
Who is more likely to have low B12?
People who eat little or no animal food, older adults, people with certain stomach or bowel conditions, and people taking some long-term medications are more likely to have low B12. These are risk factors, not a diagnosis.
Common examples include:
- Vegan or mostly plant-based diets without a reliable B12 source.
- Older age, when stomach acid production often declines.
- Pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune condition that stops the body making intrinsic factor.
- Stomach or bowel surgery, including bariatric surgery, and conditions such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease.
- Long-term medications, notably metformin and acid-reducing medications (proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers).
- Heavy alcohol use.
If any of these apply to you and you have not been tested, that is a reasonable conversation to have with your family physician or the ND.
How is B12 checked with bloodwork?
The usual starting point is a serum B12 level together with a complete blood count (CBC). If the result is borderline, other tests may help clarify whether your body is short of B12 at the tissue level.
Tests you may hear about:
- Serum vitamin B12: the standard first test. Results in the low-normal range can be hard to interpret on their own.
- Complete blood count (CBC): looks for anaemia and for enlarged red blood cells, which can occur with B12 or folate deficiency.
- Methylmalonic acid (MMA) or holotranscobalamin: sometimes used when serum B12 is borderline.
- Folate: often checked at the same time because folate and B12 deficiencies can look similar.
- Intrinsic factor antibodies: if pernicious anaemia is suspected, usually through your family physician.
Where you get tested affects the cost. Tests ordered by your family physician for a medical reason are generally covered by MSP. Tests ordered by a naturopathic doctor are generally not covered by MSP and are paid privately, unless your extended health plan reimburses them. If you have recent results, bring a copy; our article on blood tests a naturopathic doctor may order in BC explains the details.
Are B12 shots better than oral B12?
For many people with low B12, the research suggests oral B12 in adequate doses can raise levels comparably to injections. Injections remain the usual approach in some situations, such as severe deficiency with nerve symptoms, or when absorption from the gut is significantly impaired.
A 2018 Cochrane review (Wang and colleagues) compared oral and intramuscular B12 for deficiency. It found that high-dose oral B12 and injections produced similar improvements in B12 levels, though the authors rated the quality of the evidence as low and based on a small number of trials. Choosing between them usually comes down to:
- The cause of the low level. If the problem is absorption, as in pernicious anaemia, injections are often used, and that diagnosis should be managed with your family physician.
- How low the level is and whether there are nerve symptoms. Neurological symptoms need prompt medical assessment.
- Preference and practicality. Some people prefer a daily tablet; others prefer an occasional injection.
- Cost. Oral B12 is inexpensive; injections at a private clinic cost more per dose.
If your level is normal, there is no established reason to add B12 shots. Individual experiences vary, and a shot should not replace investigating why you feel unwell.
What is the difference between Pure B12 and B-Complex?
Pure B12 contains vitamin B12 only. A B-complex injection combines several B vitamins, which may include B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacinamide), B5 (dexpanthenol) and B6 (pyridoxine), with or without B12. They are listed together on our menu as one item.
Which, if either, is appropriate depends on your bloodwork, diet and medications. The ND will tell you exactly which vitamins and amounts are in the injection before you agree to it. B-complex injections can turn urine bright yellow for a day; this is the riboflavin and is expected.
What happens at a 15-minute B12 shot appointment?
The appointment is short: a quick check of how you are, the injection itself, and a few minutes to make sure you feel fine before you leave. You can book it directly. Each treatment starts with a review of your health history and medications, and Dr. Krantsevich Riehl confirms it is suitable for you before it is given.
What to expect:
- Check-in and a brief review. Any new medications, symptoms, pregnancy or recent illness should be mentioned.
- The injection. Usually into the upper arm (deltoid) or the outer hip or thigh, with a small needle. You will feel a brief pinch and sometimes a sting as the liquid goes in.
- A short wait. A few minutes to check for light-headedness or any reaction.
Practical tips: wear a top that allows easy access to the upper arm, eat something beforehand if you tend to feel faint with needles, and tell the practitioner if you take a blood thinner, because bruising is more likely.
What side effects can B12 or B-complex shots cause?
Most people notice nothing more than a sore spot where the needle went in. Uncommon effects include mild diarrhoea, itching, a rash or acne-like spots, and, rarely, an allergic reaction.
Points the ND will check:
- Previous reactions to B12 or cobalt, or to any ingredient in a B-complex injection.
- Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy, a rare inherited eye condition in which some forms of B12 are avoided.
- Kidney function and certain medications, especially for B-complex injections.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding, when any injection should be discussed with your prenatal care provider.
Seek urgent care if you develop swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or a widespread rash after an injection.
How much does a B12 shot cost, and can I claim it?
The Pure B12 / B-Complex Shot at Skin Art MD is $130 for a 15-minute appointment. You can book the shot directly, or start with an Initial Naturopathic Visit (60 minutes, $250) if you want a full assessment that includes reviewing your history and bloodwork; later reviews can be booked as a Follow-up Naturopathic Visit (30 minutes, $195).
MSP does not cover B12 shots given at a private naturopathic clinic. Some extended health plans reimburse naturopathic services up to a set amount per visit or per year, and some separately cover injections or exclude them. Skin Art MD does not bill insurers directly; you receive an official receipt after each visit and submit it yourself. Our guide to using extended health benefits for a naturopathic doctor in BC has a checklist of questions for your insurer. If your family physician diagnoses a deficiency that needs regular injections, ask whether they can be arranged through your doctor or pharmacy, which may cost less.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a B12 shot directly?
Yes, online. Each treatment starts with a review of your health history and medications, and Dr. Krantsevich Riehl confirms it is suitable for you before it is given. Walk-ins are not available; book a time first.
How often do people get B12 injections?
It depends on the reason. Where there is a diagnosed deficiency, the schedule is usually set with your physician. Where levels are normal, there is no established schedule, and a shot may not be needed at all.
Will a B12 shot give me energy?
If your fatigue is caused by B12 deficiency, correcting the deficiency is part of addressing it. If your B12 is normal, there is no good evidence that extra B12 changes energy levels. Fatigue has many causes, and some need medical attention.
Should I stop my oral supplement before testing?
Ask the person ordering the test. Supplements can raise serum B12 and make results harder to interpret.
I take metformin. Should I be checked?
Long-term metformin is associated with lower B12 levels. Ask your family physician or pharmacist whether periodic testing is appropriate for you.
Booking
Skin Art MD is in Burnaby near Metrotown and serves clients across Greater Vancouver. Shots are given by our naturopathic physician, Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, BSc, ND. Every menu item is listed on the booking page, where you can book the shot or an Initial Naturopathic Visit; you can also read about naturopathic medicine at Skin Art MD. Bring any recent bloodwork, and keep your family physician informed.
