LOW B12 SYMPTOMS CAUSING DAMAGE

Numerous symptoms associated with low vitamin B12 can cause health problems or damage. According to the Linus Pauling Institute--a nutrition-related research institute at Oregon State University--vitamin B12 is an important water-soluble vitamin that participates in many important biological functions. Deficiencies in vitamin B12 may be caused by autoimmune conditions, malabsorption syndromes and certain lifestyle factors. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause significant health problems and, in some cases, physical or mental damage.

Psychiatric Problems

Psychiatric problems associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency, or low vitamin B12, can damage your mental health and relationships with friends and family. According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to numerous psychiatric disorders, including impaired memory, irritability, depression, dementia, psychosis and mood disturbances. Vitamin B12 deficiency-related psychiatric problems may manifest when vitamin B12 levels are just slightly lower than normal and significantly greater than the levels typically associated with anemia. If you are a strict vegetarian, elderly, pregnant, an alcoholic or possess certain medical conditions--including thyrotoxicosis, hemolytic anemia, cancer and liver or kidney disease--you may have a greater chance of developing vitamin B12 deficiency and psychiatric problems. The Mayo Clinic states that early detection and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency can decrease your likelihood of developing psychiatric problems.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a symptom of low B12 that can damage your health. According to Medline Plus, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a decreased red blood cell count caused by a lack of vitamin B12. Anemia is a condition in which your body does not have an adequate amount of healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen to your tissues and organs. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia may be caused by decreased consumption of foods containing vitamin B12 or an inability of your gut to absorb vitamin B12 from the foods you eat.

Common signs and symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency include diarrhea or constipation, fatigue or lack of energy, decreased appetite, pale skin, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath and swollen tongue. Medline Plus states that treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is usually effective for restoring your health and reducing damage to your body.

Neurological Problems

Neurological problems are common symptoms associated with low B12 that can cause damage to your body and health. The American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, states that vitamin B12 plays an important role in neurological functions and the production of DNA. A vitamin B12 deficiency can result in a wide spectrum of neurological disorders that are often reversible by early diagnosis and treatment. However, in some cases, especially if you have had a vitamin B12 deficiency for a prolonged period, you may experience irreversible nerve damage. Common neurological signs and symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency include abnormal sensations such as numbness and tingling in your extremities, or peripheral neuropathy, and demyelination--loss of the fatty substance insulating your nerves--of certain portions of your spinal cord.

What Are the Symptoms of Low Platelets Caused by a Lack of Vitamin B12?

The medical term for a low platelet count is thrombocytopenia. There are several disorders that can cause the condition, including vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency. Signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia can appear suddenly or over a longer period of time, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Individuals who have mild disease may have no signs or symptoms so it becomes important to have routine blood testing.

Spontaneous Bleeding

Low platelet counts can also lead to blood in the urine, stool or bleeding from the gums and prolonged bleeding from cuts, according to MayoClinic.com. Women may experience unusually heavy menstrual flow. Spontaneous bleeding can also result because of a low platelet count and the reduced ability of the body to clot the blot at appropriate times.

Bruising

The medical term for bruising is purpura. This refers to purple brown or red bruises below the skin, according to National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Platelets are responsible in the cascade events that lead to clotting of the blood. When the number of platelets is reduced or the platelets are not functional, you can suffer from internal or external bleeding. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute says that external bleeding that leads to bruising or purpura is usually the first symptom of a low blood platelet count.

Petechial Rash

Individuals who suffer from low platelet counts can also experience pinpoint-sized red purple spots just under the skin, says MayoClinic.com. Although they occur more common only the lower legs, they can present anywhere on the body. They represent minute bleeding or hemorrhage under the skin and are very small, usually 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. These areas may develop after minor trauma or after no apparent injury.

Nosebleeds

Bleeding from the tissue lining the nose can occur because of very minor irritations or colds, according to MedlinePlus. When platelet counts are reduced, the thin tissue in the nose will bleed even easier and platelets will not be available to clot the blood. Nosebleeds should stop within 20 minutes or you should seek emergency care immediately. If you suffer from thrombocytopenia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, you may experience nosebleeds that require medical care to stop.

VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY PATIENT EDUCATION

Symptoms

Typically, the symptoms associated with vitamin B-12 deficiency develop slowly over the course of several months or years. Without a sufficient supply of vitamin B-12, you may become anemic, which means that you have low red blood cell levels. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, fatigue, pale skin, shortness of breath and heart rate irregularities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevents reports. Low vitamin B-12 levels may also cause nerve damage and may result in numbness, tingling or burning sensations in your hands or feet. Young children and infants who do not receive enough vitamin B-12 may experience physical and mental development delays, weakness and reduced muscle tone. Seek care from your doctor as soon as possible if you experience vitamin B-12 deficiency symptoms to ensure you receive prompt and appropriate care.

Treatment

The most common treatment for vitamin B-12 deficiency is vitamin B-12 injections. Initially, your doctor may give you daily injections though the frequency of your injections typically diminishes as your vitamin B-12 levels return to normal. Your doctor may also recommend treatment with high doses of oral vitamin B-12 supplements. If you have vitamin B-12 deficiency, consult your physician to discuss which form of vitamin B-12 supplementation is appropriate for you.

Your body requires adequate levels of vitamin B-12 to maintain proper brain function and red blood cell production. If you don't get enough of this water-soluble nutrient, you may be at risk of developing vitamin B-12 deficiency -- one of the most common types of nutritional deficiencies in the world. Consult your doctor for more information if you have any questions or concerns regarding vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Causes

The primary cause of vitamin B-12 deficiency is poor intake of foods that are rich in the vitamin. Each day, adults should consume between 2.4 and 2.8 mcg of vitamin B-12 from dietary sources, such as fish, beef, clams or fortified cereals, or dietary supplements. Vegetarians and vegans are at an increased risk of developing vitamin B-12 deficiency because the main sources of this nutrient are meat products.

Even if you consume enough this nutrient each day, you may still become deficient if your body isn't able to absorb vitamin B-12. Health conditions that may make vitamin B-12 absorption difficult include gastrointestinal problems, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease, chronic alcoholism, stomach or small intestine surgery and long-term antacid treatment, MedlinePlus explains. Pernicious anemia -- a condition in which your body doesn't generate enough red blood cells -- may also cause vitamin B-12 deficiency because this type of anemia results in the destruction of a cofactor your body needs to absorb vitamin B-12.

Complications

e treatment, vitamin B-12 deficiency may irreversibly affect the way your brain functions and may cause confusion, memory loss or depression. You may also experience difficulty maintaining your balance when you attempt to stand or walk around normally without assistance. Infants who don't receive enough vitamin B-12 may fail to grow appropriate, which may have life-threatening consequences.

Signs & Symptoms of Being Low on B12

Anemia

Since vitamin B12 helps to make red blood cells, deficiency can result in anemia. The type of anemia associated with B12 deficiency is megaloblastic anemia, which means that the red blood cells are unusually large. If you suffer from anemia, you may experience symptoms of fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, weakness and difficulty with your normal activities. You may also notice that you look pale. Once you begin treatment to correct the deficiency, your anemia should begin improving in one to two weeks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, vitamin B12 deficiency is present in one out of every 31 people aged 51 years or older. Deficiency of this vitamin can cause anemia and neurologic and psychiatric problems. Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs as a result of inadequate dietary intake or poor absorption, and once it is diagnosed it can be treated with replacement. Fortunately, many of the symptoms of B12 deficiency are correctable once replacement is initiated.

Background

Vitamin B12 is found in foods such as fish, shellfish, meat and dairy products. It helps to make nerve cells and red blood cells as well as the genetic material that makes up cells. As many years' worth of this vitamin can be stored in your body, deficiency of vitamin B12 is uncommon. Elderly people, alcoholics, strict vegetarians, and vegans are prone to vitamin B12 deficiency as are people who have difficulty absorbing the vitamin. Acid blocking agents can also result in a decrease in vitamin B12 levels. Your vitamin B12 level should be over 200 pg per mL, or picograms per milliliter.

Memory Problems

As stated by the American Academy of Family Physicians, vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to multiple psychiatric disorders. Mild memory impairment and dementia as well as irritability or personality changes are common psychiatric manifestations. Depression can also occur, and psychosis may result in rare situations. Vitamin B12 levels should be checked in an elderly person who develops dementia as deficiency is one of the few reversible conditions associated with dementia.

Nerve Dysfunction

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause problems in your nerve cells and specifically in demyelination of cells in your spinal column. Myelin helps with transmitting nerve signals, and these signals may be disrupted in B12 deficiency. You may experience tingling and numbness in your hands or feet and difficulty with walking. Nerve dysfunction related to B12 deficiency is most common in alcoholics or in the elderly. Since these populations have other potential causes of nerve dysfunction, screening for vitamin B12 deficiency is important as early diagnosis can prevent permanent nerve damage.

What Are the Benefits of Vitamin B Injections?

Pernicious Anemia

Pernicious anemia, a specific type of megaloblastic anemia, occurs when the individual has a rare disorder in which the body has difficulty absorbing vitamin B12, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health at its MedlinePlus website. Normally, a protein called intrinsic factor attaches to vitamin B12 in the stomach, which allows the intestine to absorb this vitamin. In some people, the body destroys the stomach cells that release intrinsic factor. Treatment for pernicious anemia commonly includes vitamin B12 injections.

Vitamin B12 is generally the only B vitamin available by injection outside of a medical setting. As an injection, it is available as the synthetic form called cyanocobalamin. Vitamin B12 injections are beneficial for certain health conditions, and some people take them for an energy boost and a weight loss aid. Vitamin B12 injections are generally safe, according to MayoClinic.com, but may potentially interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications. Consult a qualified health care provider before beginning vitamin B injections.

B12 Deficiency Anemia

Vitamin B12 is necessary for red blood cell production. Insufficient levels of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, which is a low red blood cell count, explains the Office of Dietary Supplements. This type of anemia involves abnormally large red blood cells, a condition called megaloblastic anemia. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, lack of appetite, weight loss and constipation.

Energy Boosting

An article published in the February-March 2004 issue of the "Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients" notes that most doctors believe vitamin B12 injections taken for energy boosting only have a placebo effect unless the individual is deficient in this vitamin. The article discusses a study which provides contrasting evidence. Twenty-eight participants complaining of fatigue but having normal levels of vitamin B12 and hemoglobin, the primary component of red blood cells, were enrolled. About half the group received vitamin B12 injections for two weeks, took a break for two weeks, then received placebo injections for an additional two weeks. The other participants received the placebo first. Those who received placebo first experienced a significant response to vitamin B12 in the indicators of well-being and happiness, with borderline significant improvement in fatigue and appetite. When vitamin B12 was provided first, improvements were similar, but no difference occurred between the response to the vitamin and the placebo. The authors concluded the effects of vitamin B12 lasted long enough to cause these results. The conclusion was supported by blood tests showing continued elevation of vitamin B12 levels four weeks after the last injection.

Neurological Problems

Vitamin B12 is essential for central nervous system function -- neurological symptoms are also connected with low vitamin B12 levels. Symptoms can include numbness or tingling sensations in the feet and hands, balance problems, confusion, depression, poor memory and even dementia. Early treatment with vitamin B12 injections is important to prevent permanent damage, advises MedlinePlus.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/268861-what-are-the-benefits-of-vitamin-b-injections/#ixzz20Pzocvir

The Symptoms of Low B12 in the Blood

B12 is a vitamin responsible for producing healthy red blood cells in your body. It also facilitates DNA synthesis and is needed for normal nerve function, notes the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. According to MedlinePlus, the healthy range of vitamin B12 in your blood is from 200 to 900 pg/mL. B12 levels below 200 pg/mL are considered low and can cause certain symptoms.

Anemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia, Merck Manuals notes. Anemia induced by low B12 levels can cause dizziness and elevated heart rate, if severe. Your skin may also appear pale due to insufficient red blood cells. As the anemia worsens, you may become fatigued. The anemia disappears once vitamin B12

Gastrointestinal Problems

Low vitamin B12 levels can cause you to experience nausea and appetite loss, Drugs.com notes. Furthermore, you may notice increased flatulence and severe diarrhea. These symptoms occur gradually; they increase in severity if B12 levels continue to fall.

Muscle Weakness

Persistently low vitamin B12 levels may cause muscle weakness, Merck Manuals notes. Motor skills such as walking may be impaired. This symptom progresses slowly; it may become irreversible if vitamin B12 levels remain low.

Neurological and Optical Problems

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause neuropathy -- damage to your nerves. Neuropathy may manifest as a tingling sensation in your hands and feet. You may also find it more difficult to determine the position of your arms and legs, notes Merck Manuals. This symptom usually develops in those aged 60 and above. In addition, low vitamin B12 levels can affect your optic nerves, causing vision loss, according to the CDC.

Cognitive Changes

Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect your cognitive functions, causing confusion, hallucinations, changes in personality and even dementia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains. Violent tendencies may emerge as a result of severe vitamin B12 deficiency.

Shortness of Breath and Arrhythmia

Deficient levels of vitamin B12 can cause shortness of breath, according to the CDC. You may also experience arrhythmia due to low vitamin B12 levels. The combination of shortness of breath and arrhythmia can lead to fatigue. These symptoms may manifest gradually, making diagnosis more difficult.

VITAMIN B-12 DEFICIENCY SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

An estimated 10 to 15 percent of people over age 60 are affected by vitamin B-12 deficiency, according to Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Without sufficient amounts of this nutrient, your body may have difficulty sending nerve signals through your body and producing red blood cells. Seek additional care from your medical provider if you experience any of the signs and symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency to ensure you receive appropriate treatment and care.

Mood or Memory Changes

A low vitamin B-12 level may also affect nerve transmission in your brain. You may experience temporary memory loss or confusion. Mood-related changes, such as irritability or depression, may also arise and may affect your relationship with those around you. Sudden or severe mood or memory changes should be promptly discussed with your physician. These signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency may also be signs of alternate health problems, including a brain tumor or dementia.

Anemia

One of the primary symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency is anemia, a condition in which the number of red blood cells in your bloodstream is unusually low. In healthy people, red blood cells function to carry oxygen throughout the body. When red blood cells levels are low, your cells, tissues and organs become oxygen-starved. Without proper oxygen supplies, your body can no longer produce the energy it needs to fuel your physical activities. Consequently, you may experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness or your skin may appear unusually pale. Consult your doctor if you exhibit any signs of anemia. In the absence of appropriate treatment, anemia symptoms may become worse.

Stomach Discomfort

Stomach discomfort may arise as a symptom of vitamin B-12 deficiency. You may feel nauseated or have an unusually diminished appetite. Constipation may result in painful, difficult or infrequent bowel movements and may be accompanied by abdominal cramping or bloating. Alternatively, you may develop frequent, urgent, loose bowel movements -- also called diarrhea. Your tongue may appear swollen and inflamed and may be painful to the touch, making it difficult for you to eat. If these symptoms persist, you may begin losing weight. Discuss stomach-related side effects with your medical provider if they are severe or do not subside.

Unusual Body Sensations

Your nerves rely on vitamin B-12 to help transmit signals from one region of your body to another. Low vitamin B-12 levels may cause nerve damage, which may induce numbness, tingling or other unusual sensations. Nerve damage frequently affects the hands and feet and may make it difficult for you to use these regions of your body normally. Unusual body sensations may be accompanied by weakness and may affect your ability to stand and move about without assistance. If you experience prolonged or progressive episodes of numbness, tingling or weakness, seek care from your physician.

Signs & Symptoms of Neurological Damage From Low Vitamin B12

The nerves in your body that make up your central nervous system require vitamin B-12 to maintain their normal function. As an adult, your blood levels of this nutrient may drop if you're unable to consume the recommended 2.4 to 2.8 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Low vitamin B-12 levels may cause nerve damage, a condition also called neuropathy. Seek care from your medical provider if you develop any of the signs and symptoms of neurological damage associated with low vitamin B-12 levels.

Difficulty Walking

Neurological damage caused by low vitamin B-12 levels may make it difficult for you to maintain your balance. Poor balance may result in trouble standing or walking about normally without assistance. These symptoms typically occur in conjunction with unusual body sensations in your legs or feet. In the absence of prompt medical treatment, such symptoms of nerve damage may be permanent.

Mental Changes

Nerve damage in the brain caused by insufficient vitamin B-12 levels may cause mental or cognitive changes. If you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency, you may frequently feel confused or have difficulty remembering information. A severe vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause dementia, a condition characterized by a decline in cognitive, language or memory skills. These symptoms typically develop gradually and may be permanent, depending upon the extent of your vitamin B-12 deficiency. If you experience any of these unusual mental changes, consult your doctor immediately. Memory loss, confusion and language problems may also be signs of other medical issues, including Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.

Unusual Body Sensations

When you don't get enough vitamin B-12 as part of your daily diet, your nerves have difficulty transmitting signals through your body. Consequently, you may experience unusual body sensations such as numbness or tingling in your extremities. These uncomfortable symptoms may arise sporadically and may persist or increase in severity if you are chronically deficient in vitamin B-12.

Mood Changes

Poor nerve signaling in the brain caused by inadequate supplies of vitamin B-12 may also affect your mood. You may feel abnormally depressed, which may cause you to lose interest in participating in your normal daily activities. Nervousness, irritability or paranoia may also arise as neurological symptoms associated with low vitamin B-12 levels. Discuss any severe or abrupt mood changes with your physician as soon as possible to ensure you receive prompt and appropriate care.

What Are the Symptoms if Your Vitamin B12 Is Low?

Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin is water-soluble and plays a key role in red blood cells production, DNA synthesis, metabolism and maintenance of healthy nervous system. Vitamin B-12 also works together with folic acid and vitamin B-6 to lower high levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine can cause cardiovascular disease. Strict vegetarians and older adults are at high risk for B-12 deficiency.

Neurological Symptoms

The body needs vitamin B-12 for proper neurological functioning. Patients with low levels of B-12 cause neurological symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, difficulty maintaining balance, memory loss, depression, irritability, personality changes, and confusion. Severe B-12 deficiency can lead to permanent neurological symptoms such as severe dementia, psychosis and movement problems in adults and children, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.

Hematological Symptoms

Vitamin B-12 is absorbed in the stomach and intestines with the help of a stomach protein known as intrinsic factor. Lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia or megaloblastic anemia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of pernicious anemia include fatigue, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, pale skin, weak muscles, numbness of extremities, decreased appetite, irritability, problems walking and weight loss.

Sources of Vitamin B-12

The daily dietary requirement of vitamin B-12 is 2.4 mcg in adults, according to MedlinePlus. Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in animal products such as beef liver, red meat, salmon, clams, shellfish, poultry, eggs, tuna, ham, milk, yogurt, cheese, trout and haddock. Vitamin B-12 is also added to fortified breads and cereals. Older adults and strict vegetarians may require vitamin B-12 supplements. Older adults have a hard time absorbing vitamin B-12 due to age-related changes in the digestive tract.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause stomach inflammation leading to gastrointestinal symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, soreness of the mouth and tongue, weight loss, and failure to thrive and developmental delays in children, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Children who experience failure to thrive have a rate of weight gain that is significantly below that of other children of similar age and sex.

ARE VITAMIN B12 SHOTS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

A severe vitamin B-12 deficiency may have disastrous consequences in pregnancy. It may increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm birth or may cause neural tube defects in the unborn baby. Vitamin B-12 injections can treat a deficiency and prevent these effects from occurring. Although these injections are considered safe during pregnancy, talk to your doctor if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Warning

Many women have heard about the importance of folic acid while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. While it is true that folic acid may prevent certain birth defects, large doses of folic acid may also mask a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor if you have been taking large doses of folic acid and have risk factors for a vitamin B-12 deficiency. She may recommend blood work to determine if you are deficient and are in need of vitamin B-12 injections.

Safety

Vitamin B-12 does not have a tolerable upper intake level. This means that you are unlikely to experience negative side effects from the vitamin, even when you take large amounts of it. Because of this, vitamin B-12 injections are safe during pregnancy. In fact, if you are deficient in the vitamin, it may be riskier not to get this extra supplementation. If you have specific questions or concerns about getting these injections during pregnancy, talk to your obstetrician.

Vitamin B-12 During Pregnancy

Most healthy pregnant women should get at least 2.6 mcg of vitamin B-12 each day. Since many prenatal vitamins contain between 2.2 to 12 mcg of vitamin B-12, according to the Cleveland Clinic, you may be able to meet most or all of your vitamin B-12 needs by simply remembering to take your prenatal vitamin. However, a healthy diet is also important. Food sources of vitamin B-12 include rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, liver, clams and fortified cereals. If you are struggling to get enough vitamin B-12 or if you have a medical condition that may interfere with your vitamin absorption, talk to your doctor about other ways you can prevent a deficiency.

Necessity

While it is true that pregnant women need increased amounts of vitamin B-12 during pregnancy, most get enough of the vitamin from their diet and their prenatal vitamin and do not need additional supplementation or injections. Vitamin B-12 supplements may be recommended for women who have highly restricted diets. Injections are typically recommended when someone is unable to properly absorb the vitamin through food or supplements or when a deficiency is already present. Healthy pregnant women with an average diet can prevent the need for extra supplementation or injections by ensuring they get the appropriate amount of the vitamin on a regular basis.

VITAMIN B12 SHOTS VS. PILLS

A deficiency in vitamin B12 requires supplementation to treat symptoms and return blood serum levels to normal. The two options for treating a B12 deficiency are taking oral supplements in pill form or receiving injections of B12 directly into the muscle.

Considerations

Many physicians are unaware that oral vitamin B12 is an effective substitute for B12 injections in the treatment of deficiencies, according to American Family Physician. No matter which method of treatment is used, follow-up visits to the doctor will be necessary. At these visits, the doctor will measure blood serum levels of B12 and determine whether the current dosage is appropriate.

Necessity

If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you can develop neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms or anemia. Some of these symptoms, particularly neurological symptoms, can become irreversible if the deficiency persists over a long time. Elderly people, people with pernicious anemia, strict vegetarians and breastfed babies of vegetarian women are at a higher risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency and might need B12 shots or pills.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Some people find the B12 shot uncomfortable or painful, so prefer taking a daily pill. While vitamin B12 injections are safe and inexpensive, the cost to have them done by a doctor can significantly add to the cost. Because vitamin B12 absorption by the gut is less effective than a shot directly into muscle, a higher dose is often needed when taken orally. Over-the-counter pills in high enough doses for treatment might be difficult to find, so you might need to take three or more pills to make up your necessary daily dose.

Characteristics

A B12 shot can be administered by your doctor during an office visit. A doctor or nurse also can show you how to administer the injection yourself so that you can do it at home using prescribed vitamin B12. Oral doses of this nutrient can be purchased over the counter and taken at home, although you should consult a physician before attempting to treat a vitamin B12 deficiency with oral supplements.

Dosing

People with a vitamin B12 deficiency who receive the intramuscular shot generally begin with a dosage of 100 to 1,000 mcg every day or every other day. After one or two weeks, the frequency is stretched to once a month to once every three months. Oral doses of vitamin B12 begin with a daily pill containing 1,000 to 2,000 mcg taken for one or two weeks. The maintenance dose is 1,000 mcg taken every day for the rest of your life.

What Are the Dangers of Vitamin B12 Shot?

Other Adverse Reactions

Apart from these three major adverse reactions, MedlinePlus reports that patients taking vitamin B-12 injections may suffer from other serious side effects such as muscle weakness, leg pain, headache and dizziness along with extreme thirst, frequent urination and fatigue. Some of these side effects may be potentially fatal and hence, it is important talk to a doctor immediately if the patient experiences any of these symptoms.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of face, lips, and neck and breathing difficulties can occur in some individuals taking vitamin B-12 injections. Drugs.com recommends immediate medical attention for such patients as some of these reaction may be potentially fatal.

Cardiovascular Symptoms

Intravenous administration of vitamin B-12 can affect the cardiovascular system in certain individuals and lead to symptoms such as chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath and increased blood flow in the extremities such as legs, arms and fingers. MayoClinic.com also states that individuals undergoing angioplasty and coronary stenting to open up a blocked artery may increase their chances of restenosis due to vitamin B-12 injections. Hence, vitamin B-12 shots should be avoided in such patients.

Gastric Disturbances

Many patients taking vitamin B-12 shots may suffer from gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, upset stomach and diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and go away within a few days. However, it is important to talk to a physician if the symptoms are severe or if they persist for a long time.

ABOUT VITAMIN B12 INJECTIONS

Vitamin B12 injections normalize B12 levels in the blood to ensure the ongoing production of new blood cells, body cells and proteins.

Function

Vitamin B12 injections are given to prevent or manage a condition known as pernicious anemia and for other conditions that cause low levels of B12 in the blood.

Misconceptions

The myth that vitamin B12 injections promote weight loss is not backed scientific evidence, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic.

Features

Disposable needles are used to inject vitamin B12 shots into the muscle or just under the skin of the upper arm. Injections may be painful.

Considerations

Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, American Journal of Medicine, Lancet and Journal of the American Geriatric Society all found oral (supplemental) B12 to be as effective as injections

Time Frame

To treat deficiency, B12 shots must be given every day or every other day for up to a couple of weeks and then followed up with maintenance injections every one to three months thereafter, possibly for life.

How to Administer an Intramuscular Vitamin B12 Shot

Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a big role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system and also for the formation of blood. It comes from animal products, such as meat and dairy products. The typical western diet contains 5 to 7mcg of vitamin B12 daily. Vitamin B12, is absorbed through the last part of your small intestine. Vitamin B12 supplementation, which is used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency, is available as an oral medication, an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, or a nasal spray.

Medication Preparation

Step 1

Take your vitamin B12 prescription to the pharmacy of your choice and get it filled. Your dose of medication depends on whether it is an initial dose or a maintenance dose. According to Drug information Online, the initial dose of vitamin B12 is 30 mcg/day for 5 to 10 days and the maintenance dose is 100 to 200mcg/month.

Step 2

Read the label on the vial of medication. Verify that it is the correct medication with the correct amount of medicine. Verify the expiration date.

Step 3

Compare administration directions to prescription directions.

Syringe Preparation

Step 1

Wash your hands with soap and water. This reduces the risk of bacterial contamination.

Step 2

Put on gloves if desired for self administration. If you are giving the injection to someone else, then gloves are necessary to reduce risk of contracting blood-borne pathogens.

Step 3

Attach the needle to the syringe.

Step 4

Remove the plastic or metal top from the vial and clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe. This action removes any bacteria that may be on the stopper.

Step 5

Pull the syringe plunger back to the amount of medication that you plan to administer.

Step 6

Insert the needle into the vial and push down on the plunger. The air that is injected into the vial displaces the amount of medication to be administered. Turn the vial upside down and pull back on the plunger, measuring out the correct amount of medication.

Step 7

Remove the needle from the vial and place the cover back on the needle.

Vitamin B12 Administration

Step 1

Choose the site where the B12 injection will be given and clean it with an alcohol swab. The site should be one that is easily reached with both hands if you are self administering the medication.

Step 2

Take the cover off the needle and hold it in your dominant hand like you would hold a pencil. With your non-dominant hand, gently pinch the skin where you will be administering the injection.

Step 3

Use your wrist in a motion like you would throw a dart and inject the needle at 90 degrees. Let go of the skin and hold the syringe as you gently pull back on the plunger. This is done to verify you haven't hit a blood vessel.

Step 4

Push down on the plunger and slowly inject the medicine. After all the medicine is injected, pull the needle out quickly at the same angle it went in.

Step 5

Cover the injection site with a bandage and dispose of the syringe in a sharps container.

WHAT IS VITAMIN B12 INJECTION GIVEN FOR?

Prevention/Solution

B12 injections are a solution of B12 that is injected into the muscle or into the blood stream. Because the vitamin is injected into the bloodstream, it does not have to be absorbed by the intestine and can be used to treat people who have difficulty absorbing B12.
Injections are often given daily for the first week of treatment, every other day for the second two weeks of treatment and then twice per week for two or three weeks. Often, after active treatment has stopped and the deficiency has been treated, a maintenance injection is given once per month to prevent the deficiency from reoccurring.

Causes

B12 deficiency can be caused by several things, including a lack of B12 in the diet. Strict vegetarians or vegans are highly at risk for this type of deficiency, since there are no good vegetable sources of B12. Lack of a chemical called "intrinsic factor," which helps B12 be absorbed in the body, can lead to B12 absorption problems and deficiency. This lack of intrinsic factor and difficulty absorbing B12 is referred to as "pernicious anemia." Some diseases, medications or infections may also cause a deficiency of B12.

Definition

Vitamin B12, also called cyanocobalmin, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is primarily found in meats, fish, shellfish and dairy products.

Symptoms

Deficiency of B12 is rare because the body is able to store several years' worth of the vitamin. When deficiency does occur, there are often symptoms of anemia, or lack of sufficient numbers of red blood cells. More severe deficiency can lead to nerve damage such as tingling in hands and feet, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes and balance problems. Other symptoms involve the digestive tract and can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation and loss of appetite.

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is commonly found in a variety of foods including meats, fish and dairy products. It is an essential vitamin, and deficiency can cause a number of health issues. Injections may be given to prevent or treat deficiencies of vitamin B12.

VITAMIN B12 SHOT & WEIGHT LOSS

Vitamin B-12 is required for proper DNA synthesis, brain functioning and red blood cell formation. While some weight-loss programs offer vitamin B-12 injections as a way to help individuals lose weight or boost metabolism, there is no solid evidence that vitamin B-12 shots have these effects. If you are concerned about your vitamin B-12 intake or your weight, call your doctor.

Vitamin B-12 Injections

Since only a small percentage of vitamin B-12 is absorbed when taken orally, vitamin B-12 injections are often used when large amounts of vitamin B-12 are needed. Individuals with pernicious anemia or a vitamin B-12 deficiency often require vitamin B-12 injections. Use of vitamin B-12 injections for these or any other purpose, including weight loss, should only take place under the care of a doctor.

Warning

People who do opt to get a vitamin B-12 injection should explore all potential drug interactions thoroughly before doing so. Vitamin B-12 may negatively interact with proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor antagonists, chlorampehnicol or metformin. It also may interact negatively with other medications or supplements. To prevent a drug interaction, always report all of your current medications and supplements to your doctor before getting a vitamin B-12 injection.

Other Weight-Loss Options

While the scientific evidence for using vitamin B-12 as a weight loss technique is lacking, many other weight-loss methods do have scientific evidence to support them. Consuming fewer calories than your body burns each day will result in weight loss. This can be done by either limiting the amount of calories you eat, or by increasing your physical activity level to burn more calories. Certain medications may also prove effective at helping you lose weight, including phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, orlistat, bupropion, topiramate, zonisamide or metformin. However, these prescription medications are typically only prescribed for obese individuals and may cause unpleasant side effects. Always discuss all of your options with a doctor to determine the weight-loss approach most appropriate for your situation.

Considerations

Vitamin B-12 is one of the few vitamins that does not have a tolerable upper intake level. This means that getting a large amount of this vitamin is unlikely to cause adverse side effects or harm. Because of this, some individuals opt to try the injections despite not having the scientific evidence to support its use as a weight-loss method. Keep in mind, however, that vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin. If you already have an appropriate amount of vitamin B-12 in your body, excess amounts of the vitamin will be excreted through urination and not have an effect on your body.

ARE B-12 SHOTS GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?

Vitamin B-12 shots can provide important health benefits for people who're deficient in this vitamin, but the injections won't necessarily help you to lose weight. Many weight-loss centers use vitamin B-12 shots as part of their programs, but the medical evidence supporting the vitamin's use in weight loss is scant, at best. Before you receive vitamin B-12 injections for weight loss or any other purpose, consult your doctor.

Warning

Because vitamin B-12 shots aren't medically proven to promote weight loss, you should talk with your physician about the injections before receiving them, MayoClinic.com warns. Vitamin B-12 supplements and injections could pose health risks for certain people and interact negatively with certain other medications. Taking extra vitamin B-12 could increase your risks for complications following coronary stenting, cautions the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Although rare, some people may experience serious allergic reactions to vitamin B-12 injections, which could even become life-threatening, says the University of Michigan Health System.

Benefits

Despite their likely ineffectiveness in promoting weight loss, vitamin B-12 oral supplements and injections have many real health benefits for people with certain medical conditions. Most commonly, vitamin B-12 supplements and injections are used to help treat pernicious anemia and other medical conditions that cause a B-12 deficiency, MayoClinic.com notes. People who have malabsorption disorders, gastritis or ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori bacterial infections, or HIV/AIDS are all very likely to have a vitamin B-12 deficiency, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Vitamin B-12 supplementation can help treat people with deficiencies who also have depression, anemia, high homocysteine levels, age-related cognitive decline, canker sores, chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic fibrosis, low-back pain, osteoporosis and sickle cell anemia. Vitamin B-12 supplements or injections may help in treating sleep disorders, restless leg syndrome and fatigue, as well as help reduce the risks for certain types of cancers, cardiovascular disease and stroke, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Misconceptions

Although some people believe that vitamin B-12 injections can boost their energy and metabolism to help lose weight, these effects aren't likely to occur unless you have a B-12 deficiency, MayoClinic.com says. Excess vitamin B-12 won't necessarily increase energy or metabolism, either. In fact, no conclusive scientific evidence supports the use of vitamin B-12 shots for promoting weight loss, and weight loss isn't listed as a recommended use for B-12 supplementation.

Weight Loss and Vitamin B12 Injections

Vitamin B12 is a vital ingredient needed by the body for performing various tasks. Vitamin B12 is responsible for building DNA as well as for producing red blood corpuscles. It is a major source of nutrients, required for healthy functioning of the body. It is rightly called 'energy vitamin' since, it provides a real energy boost for the body. It is an instant remedy for fatigue, as it accelerates the rate of metabolism. Vitamin B12 injections are apparently useful in reducing weight.


How Vitamin B12 Injections Help to Reduce Weight
These injections do not reduce weight directly by themselves. There are several factors which contribute to weight loss along with vitamin B12. People who opt for vitamin B12 shots are likely to be on a vegetarian diet with an extra consciousness about their weight. Hence, there is more probability that these people also watch their diet and follow a strict exercise regimen. Vitamin B12 simply speeds up their metabolism and provides them with an unlimited supply of energy. This added vigor helps them to exercise for a long time, on a regular basis, without getting tired. It also motivates them to follow their diet more religiously. All this collectively results in weight loss. 


Vitamin B12 Injections for Weight Loss
The main sources of vitamin B12 are meat, poultry, milk, eggs and fish. Naturally, those who follow a strict vegetarian diet have to rely on vitamin supplements. There are several people who opt for vitamin B12 injections as a cure for obesity. Vitamin B12 shots are directly injected into the muscles for better absorption. People who choose them, often have a history of chronic fatigue syndrome or a vitamin B12 deficiency. There are many reasons why vitamin B12 works for them. 


Side Effects
Vitamin B12 injections are capable of inducing certain unpleasant effects. Most people show mild to severe side effects after being administered vitamin B12 shots. The common side effects include:

• Mild diarrhea
• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• A feeling of pain and a warm sensation in the area where the shot was administered
• A swelling sensation throughout the entire body
• Headache
• Joint pain

Apart from these, some serious side effects like rapid heart rate, palpitation, excessive coughing or wheezing, chest pain etc. may also occur in rare cases. 

If you decide to go for vitamin B12 injections, it is recommended that you consider all the pros and cons before administering it. Always opt for it as a last resort, when your diet or exercise cease to work. Otherwise, changes in your diet and self motivation for exercising can work far better than vitamin B12 shots in the long run and that too without any side effects.


Effectiveness
As mentioned before, it is unlikely that vitamin B12 injections induce weight loss by themselves. It only replenishes the supply of vitamin B12 in the body. This vitamin B12 can be easily gained from your diet itself. The basic mechanism for reducing weight remains the same. Vitamin B12 rich diet acts as a metabolism booster, allowing more calories to be burned. The more the calories burnt, the less is the storage of fat. This ultimately results in weight loss. Vitamin B12 injections do not come cheap, you need to shell around $65 for a single shot, which is a pretty expensive affair. Besides, you may have to pay around $200 towards initial consultation. The fact is, you can get the same benefits by simply making little alterations to your daily diet, and that too at far lesser expense. Moreover, vitamin B12 injections are helpful to only those people who have a deficiency of vitamin B12. Although, excess vitamin B12 does not necessarily cause any harm, there is no need to take it externally, considering its high cost. 

Popular diets include B12 shots and vitamin cocktails of B vitamins and amino acids. Do they really help shed pounds?

Vitamin Shots Claim to Augment Weight Loss

The theory is Vitamin B shots speed up the metabolism while fighting stress and depression. Popular diets include, sometimes in a single combined injection the following:

• shots for energy (B12)
• shots for craving or fat removal (MIC)
• shots for mood (B6)
• shots for fat burning (chromium)

Programs are priced weekly from $45 to $65 after an initial fee around $200 to $300 for EKG and lab work and evaluation. Competitive pricing is seen in areas with many weight loss clinics. The frequency of injections, whether daily or weekly or monthly, is usually more one of convenience than of necessity. It is often a part of the visit when medication is dispensed.

B12 by Injection, Tablet, Sublingual Pill, Drink

Injection seems to be the most effective way (aside from diet) to provide B12 but there are oral and sublingual forms too as well as health drinks with added vitamins. The vitamin gives an energy boost to those who lack it, for example, those with chronic fatigue syndrome. According to the nutrition department at the Mayo Clinic, there is no research proving B12 aids weight loss. Why then is it so popular in diet programs?

Vitamin B12, cobalamine, is necessary for the health of the nervous system and the red blood cells. It is naturally absorbed from food (e.g.fish and fortified cereal) within the digestive tract. Those with impaired absorption whether through aging, stomach stapling or lap band surgery, diets (vegetarians), or genetics, are required to take some supplemental form of the vitamin.

Typical Diet Pills

• Phendimetrazine (Bontril, Preludin)
• Phentermine (Fastin, Adipex,Ionamin)
• Xenical (a lower dose equivalent is now found OTC)
• Ephedra (banned OTC but may be prescribed if followed by a physician)
• Phen Phen (withdrawn due to pulmonary hypertension risks)

The pills are designed to be used short term. Tolerance increases with duration of use; the pills become ineffective and the weight rebounds if the pills are the sole support of the weight loss program.

Appetite Suppressant Pills

Many injection diet programs are actually based on supplemental diet pills. This becomes the basis of the program. The prescription drug, an anorectic, is dispensed during the visit along with the shots. Although the shot seemingly is the basis of the diet, the pills depress the appetite thus resulting in decreased food intake.. Eating less by following a strict caloric program is the foundation of the weight loss with or without the shots.

Long Term Weight Loss Program

When going the route of a vitamin injection weight loss program based on diet pills, select a program with a good nutritional background including a balanced diet and calorie intake. Exercise must be a part of any sustained weight loss plan.

Although the vitamin shots do not appear to cause any physical distress the pills must be curtailed within a few weeks to a few months. Losing 10 pounds a week isn't realistic despite the claims of advertising.

Motivated dieters following a healthy program who also receive a vitamin injection may have an augmented or even placebo effect that enhances their weight loss but in reality, are losing weight on their own.

Vitamin B12 Injections and Weight Loss

Some people might go to a clinic to get shots. These shots are administered directly into the muscle, allowing for better absorption. People who get these shots mainly suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome or a deficiency. They might also claim that taking these shots help them to lose weight.

However, injections by themselves do not directly induce weight loss, nor are they intended to. So why do people who get them lose weight?

There are many factors to take into consideration.

B12 causes the metabolism to speed up, which in turn increases weight loss. People who go to get injections tend to be more conscious of their health and are already on a vegetarian, or other weight loss diet.

Shots give a tremendous boost of energy. This generally helps people to maintain their diets, and motivates them to exercise and increase physical activity. Vitamin B12 also helps to fight stress and depression, symptoms which are sometimes associated with weight gain.

While the shots can be a great benefit to some, particularly those with a B12 deficiency, there can be some negative side effects when taken excessively or along with certain other substances. There is also a risk for those who have certain pre-existing conditions. It's important to consult a physician before undergoing injections.