What we offer and what each one is for
Vitamin B12 injections. B12 keeps nerves and red blood cells healthy. Deficiency is common in older adults, people on metformin or long-term acid reducers, vegetarians and vegans, and anyone who has had stomach or bowel surgery. It shows up as fatigue, brain fog, low mood, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, balance problems and anemia. For a documented deficiency, injections work faster and more reliably than tablets because they bypass the gut. A blood test confirms it, and the doctor sets a schedule, typically weekly at first and then monthly.
Lipotropic (MIC) injections. These combine methionine, inositol and choline, usually with B12. The three compounds are involved in how the liver processes fat, and they are widely used as an adjunct in weight loss programs. The honest summary of the evidence is that it is limited. There are no large trials showing that MIC injections cause weight loss on their own. Some of our patients on semaglutide or tirzepatide feel they have more energy with them, and they are low risk, but they are a supplement to a program, not a treatment.
IV vitamin infusions. A bag of fluid with added vitamin C, B-complex, magnesium and sometimes zinc, run into a vein over 30 to 60 minutes. Infusions rehydrate quickly and deliver vitamins directly, and patients recovering from illness, feeling run down or training hard often say they feel better afterward. For people with normal vitamin levels, though, there is little evidence that infusions improve health, and we will not tell you otherwise. It is a wellness service, chosen by people who find it worthwhile.
How our doctors approach it
The difference between a medical treatment and a wellness service matters to us, and it is the first thing we sort out. If you come in tired, we test before we treat. A B12 level, and often a full blood count, thyroid and iron studies, tells us whether B12 is the problem or whether something else, such as thyroid disease, anemia or sleep apnea, is the real cause. Treating a deficiency that exists is good medicine. Injecting B12 into someone with normal levels does very little.
For lipotropic injections and infusions, the doctor reviews your health history, checks that there is no reason you should not have them, and explains plainly what to expect. Nobody is pushed toward a package. Many patients add MIC injections during a GLP-1 program because it fits their monthly visit, which is the setting where they make the most sense. The overall program is described on our medical weight loss page.
Does insurance cover it? B12 injections for a documented deficiency are covered by Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna as a medical treatment, including the blood test that confirms it. Lipotropic injections and IV vitamin infusions are wellness services and are self-pay at both clinics. We tell you what applies before anything is given. Read more about insurance and self-pay.
What to expect at a visit
- Before you come in, the front desk checks coverage for a B12 visit or explains the self-pay option for wellness services, and asks you to bring your medication list.
- At the first visit, the doctor or medical assistant reviews your history and symptoms. If B12 deficiency is suspected and has not been confirmed, blood is drawn and the injection follows once the result is back, or the same day if a prior result shows deficiency.
- The injection takes a minute. B12 and MIC are given into the muscle of the upper arm or hip. Most people feel only a brief sting.
- An infusion takes 30 to 60 minutes in a reclining chair. A small IV line is placed, the bag runs, and you can read or use your phone. You can drive afterward.
- Follow-up for B12 deficiency includes a repeat level after a few months to confirm it has corrected. Wellness injections and infusions are repeated as often as you and the doctor agree is useful.
Who should not have them
B12 injections are safe for almost everyone. The main caution is a known allergy to cobalt or to a previous B12 injection. High-dose IV vitamin C is not appropriate for people with kidney disease, a history of kidney stones, or the enzyme deficiency G6PD. Anyone with heart failure or advanced kidney disease needs the doctor's approval before receiving IV fluid, because extra volume can be a problem. Tell us about every allergy, including to preservatives, and every medication, and we will check the ingredients against them. If you are pregnant, we treat confirmed B12 deficiency but hold off on wellness infusions.
Will a B12 shot give me more energy?
If you are deficient, usually yes, often within a week or two. If your level is normal, probably not, and we would rather find the real cause of your tiredness than give you an injection that will not help.
Do lipotropic injections make you lose weight?
Not on their own. They are an adjunct some patients like during a supervised weight loss program. The weight loss comes from the medication, the eating plan and activity.
How often can I have an IV infusion?
Most patients who use them come every few weeks. The doctor sets an upper limit based on the ingredients and your kidney function.
Is a B12 injection covered by Medicare?
Yes, when a blood test documents deficiency or a condition that causes it, such as pernicious anemia. Wellness injections are not covered.
Which clinic offers vitamin injections and infusions?
Both. Davie serves Broward County and Boynton Beach serves Palm Beach County. The medical team at each gives injections and runs infusions.