Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin the body depends on to carry out a variety of important processes. It is used to help the body create red blood cells and DNA. It is also a vital component in the function and development of the brain and our nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is known as a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it is excreted through the kidneys. Vitamin B12 is not made from plant sources, and people can help replenish their Vitamin B12 levels by eating meats, eggs, poultry, or dairy products. Individuals who have low Vitamin B12 will experience multiple symptoms, and most of the time they are not aware that these symptoms are due to a low Vitamin B12 level.

Symptoms of low Vitamin B12 can include a yellowish tinge of the skin, a sore or red tongue, irritability, depression, pins and needles, vision troubles, ulcers in the mouth, mobility problems, and much more. Individuals are more likely to suffer from a low Vitamin B12 level if they are anemic, due to the reason that Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in the production of red blood cells. As well, if you are on a vegetarian diet, you are also likely to suffer from low Vitamin B12 levels, as the sources that contain high amounts of Vitamin B12 are red meats and chicken.

Vitamin B12 injections are a very efficient way of treating or preventing a Vitamin B12 deficiency. These injections work by artificially inserting Vitamin B12 into the body, which is then absorbed into the muscles, and then transported by the bloodstream to your cells, tissues, and organs. The most common sites for injection are intramuscular and subcutaneous, which can include the arms, thighs, upper buttocks, and for subcutaneous, the abdomen. Once the body receives the injection, the cells work with Vitamin B12 to produce more healthy red blood cells, and then a sufficient amount is created for the body to use. Common injections that are used are called Hydroxocobalamin and Cyanocobalamin, which are hand-made injectable forms of Vitamin B12.

In order to receive an injection of Vitamin B12, you will require a prescription from your doctor or a nutrition specialist, as the injections contain high doses of Vitamin B12 to help alleviate any of the symptoms you may have due to a deficiency or to help prevent a deficiency if you are anemic or vegetarian. Other reasons for individuals to receive Vitamin B12 are for pregnant women, mood disorders, boosting a person’s metabolism, and for people with poor brain health.

There are lots of factors that play into the length of time for Vitamin B12 shots to last. This all depends on the frequency and the dosing of the injection. After the initial injection, the effects of the injection may only last for up to 48 to 72 hours. For certain individuals who are unable to absorb Vitamin B12, they may need more shots in order to have the desired effects last longer. After the first injection, a patient may notice the symptoms subsiding after 72 hours of receiving the injection.

A person may notice some side effects after the first time receiving their Vitamin B12 shot, which can include pain or redness at the injection site, headache, swelling all over the body, itching, or mild diarrhea. Having these symptoms can be a normal response for some individuals, as the body is getting used to having higher levels of Vitamin B12 in its system, but if there is anything that does not feel normal to you or your body, reaching out to a specialist or family doctor is recommended.

The recommended frequency of receiving a Vitamin B12 shot for a person just starting is every 10 days. For individuals with severe symptoms of a Vitamin B12 deficiency, it might be recommended to take these injections every 5 or 7 days in order to kick start the body response to having higher levels of Vitamin B12. Introducing the body to high amounts of Vitamin B12 allows the body to recognize the injection and start creating the desired effect of taking these injections. The goal is to alleviate or reverse the signs and symptoms of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Once the initial period of receiving these injections is over, a specialist may advise that you take 1 injection a month, and then less over time. With Vitamin B12 being a water-soluble vitamin that is excreted through the kidneys, any access Vitamin B12 that the body does not need will be excreted through urine or feces, so there is no need to worry about taking too much of it.

The team at True Health Medical has a variety of specialists that work with Vitamin B12 injections, and if you or a loved one may be experiencing symptoms of a deficiency, reach out to our team for more information. We are here to help you with your needs and help you on your journey to a healthy life and body. True Health Medical offers many different care programs that are all based on your needs and offer Nutritional Counselling to those who may be suffering or are suffering from a Vitamin B12 deficiency. We serve patients from Gilbert AZ, Chandler AZ, Queen Creek AZ, Sun Lakes AZ, Mesa AZ, Sacaton AZ, and Apache Junction AZ.