Why is b12 injections used

Advocates of this approach claim that regular injections can boost energy levels and help with weight loss and mood. Ensuring that you have enough vitamin B12 is important for brain function and mental, bone and eye health. Vitamin B12 injections are generally considered to be very safe. They have no major side effects. However, in very rare cases, some people can experience side effects caused by allergic reactions or sensitivity 29 , Vitamin B12 injections are very safe.

In rare cases, the injections may cause allergic reactions. Fortified foods vary from country to country, but often include milk alternatives or breakfast cereals. It can be difficult for some people to meet their vitamin B12 requirements.

This is particularly true for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Fortunately, there is increasing evidence that oral B12 supplements are just as good as injections for raising blood levels in most people 31 , 32 , 33 , Vegetarians and vegans are usually advised to take at least 10 mcg per day, or at least 2, mcg once per week.

Many animal foods are high in vitamin B Oral supplements have also been shown to be effective at raising blood levels. For most people, dietary sources provide everything that is needed.

However, people who are at risk of deficiency will probably need to take supplements. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in keeping you healthy.

Here are 9 impressive health benefits of vitamin B12, based on…. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause various symptoms, and you may wonder whether weight gain is among them. This article reviews whether a vitamin B12….

Vitamin B12 plays many crucial roles in your body, and some think that taking megadoses of this nutrient is best for their health. This article…. Vitamin B12 shots and supplements are popular among those looking to fight fatigue, boost their energy levels, and even lose weight.

Back to Medicines A to Z. Hydroxocobalamin is a manufactured version of the vitamin B It is used to treat and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia when you have low levels of this vitamin in the body. It's given as an injection. This will usually be at your GP surgery but can sometimes be given to you in hospital. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting hydroxocobalamin if you:.

A nurse, or possibly a doctor, will usually give you your hydroxocobalamin injection. The injection is given into a muscle known as an intramuscular injection. You may have some pain, swelling or itching where your injection was given. However this is usually mild and will wear off quite quickly.

Your dose may go up or down, depending on your response to the treatment and the vitamin B12 levels in your blood. To see how well it's working, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms such as tiredness and lack of energy. They will also give you regular blood tests to monitor the vitamin B12 levels in your blood.

As your symptoms and vitamin B12 levels improve, you may be able to have the injections less often, such as every few months. Your doctor will decide exactly how long you will need to have hydroxocabalamin injections. It depends on how well you respond to your treatment. If you miss having your injection, the level of vitamin B12 in your body will go down further. This may make your health problems worse.

If you do have to miss an appointment, ask your doctor or nurse when you should have the next dose. Like all medicines, hydroxocobalamin can cause side effects in some people, but not everyone gets them.

Serious side effects are very rare but tell your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms after having treatment:. In rare cases, hydroxocobalamin can cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. These are not all the side effects of hydroxocobalamin. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding.

There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements while taking or using hydroxocobalamin. For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. It works by increasing your levels of vitamin B12 so that you can make red blood cells that work properly to carry oxygen around your body. Hydroxocobalamin gets to work straight away. However it may take a few days or weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy start to improve.

The length of treatment depends on your individual needs and how well you respond to treatment. This will usually be a few months or sometimes years. Yes, it's OK to have hydroxocobalamin injections for a long time. Some people will need to have them for the rest of their lives. Vitamins and nutrients are essential for good health. Some people supplement vitamins, but is there an ideal time of day to take them?

In this article,. Vitamin A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins. This article looks at some dietary sources of each and the role they play in the body. Vitamin B6 plays a key role in metabolism and brain function. It also may help to protect against air pollution. Who needs vitamin B12 shots and why? What is vitamin B12? How much do I need? What are vitamin B12 shots? Who needs them? How much vitamin B12 do I need?

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