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Where Can I Get Vitamin B Injections

How Do I Inject A B12 Shot

Are Vitamin B12 Injections Worth Your Money?

It is recommended that anyone who administers a B12 injection should receive training and guidance from a professional health expert. While needle size, dosage, and injection site will vary from person to person, these are the general tips and steps to follow when injecting a B12 Shot.

The way you inject a B12 shot depends on which B12 injection site you choose to use. It is essential always to clean the injection area with alcohol pads or rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Allow the injection site to dry completely before administering the shot. Always clean the top of the vial that contains the B12 solution with a new cotton ball and let dry. It is important to rotate your B12 injection sites to keep your skin healthy, as repeated shots in the same site may cause scarring or swelling. No matter where you inject the vitamin B12 medicine, it is important to hold the skin taut to tighten the skin and prepare the muscle. The skin should be smooth, and the muscles should be relaxed.

Side Or Back Of Upper Arm

As with the intramuscular B12 injection site on the arm, you can use the side or back of your upper arm for a subcutaneous injection. This may be easier when using the help of another person, whether that be a family member, friend, or caregiver. Pinch a thick layer of skin on the upper side of your arm and inject the needle at the appropriate angle into this pinched skin.

What Is Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin. This means that B12 is easily dissolvable in water, which is essential for intake in the human body. Vitamin B12 plays a huge role in brain function, and it boosts the production of DNA and red blood cells. As you can see, this vitamin plays several roles in the body. Unfortunately, many people are deficient in this key vitamin.

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How Do These Treatments Work

Vitamin B-12 is a vital nutrient our body uses to keep our red blood cells healthy. Healthy red blood cells transport oxygen to our organs. This supplement intake will boost the production of these cells, which will, in turn, increase your energy levels. The process is simple and involves an intramuscular injection into your arm.

Identification Of Liver As An Anti

Do You Have a B12 Deficiency: Quiz

During the 1920s, George Whipple discovered that ingesting large amounts of liver seemed to most rapidly cure the anemia of blood loss in dogs, and hypothesized that eating liver might treat pernicious anemia.Edwin Cohn prepared a liver extract that was 50 to 100 times more potent in treating pernicious anemia than the natural liver products. William Castle demonstrated that gastric juice contained an “intrinsic factor” which when combined with meat ingestion resulted in absorption of the vitamin in this condition. In 1934, George Whipple shared the 1934 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with William P. Murphy and George Minot for discovery of an effective treatment for pernicious anemia using liver concentrate, later found to contain a large amount of vitamin B12.

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What Are The Side Effects Of A Vitamin B12 Injection

While it is rare to experience side effects from vitamin B12 injection, you may experience discomfort or irritation at the B12 injection site. Your urine may also turn a reddish color after injection. There is also a chance of mild diarrhea, itching, or swelling. These side effects are normal and harmless, although if they persist or worsen, or if you experience more severe side effects, you should immediately speak with your trusted healthcare professional.

What Causes B12 To Be Low

You can get vitamin B12 deficiency anemia if you dont get enough vitamin B12 in your diet from foods like milk, eggs, and meat. Youre more likely to be low in this vitamin if youre older, or you eat a vegetarian diet. It can also happen if your body cant absorb enough of it from the foods you eat.

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Can Too Much B12 Cause Tingling

In rare cases, people who take high doses of vitamin B for a long period of time may experience extreme numbness or a tingling sensation. In some patients, tingling sensation is experienced mostly in the right side of the body. This symptom is one of the early warning indicators of Vitamin B12 overdose.

How Often Should I Get A Vitamin B12 Injection

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Keep in mind that everyone is different and has unique needs. If youre diagnosed with anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, youll likely be given 100 mcg into the muscleonce dailyfor about one week. Eventually, the frequency of this injection will be down to once every month. That said, the frequency and dosage will change, based on improved blood work and symptoms. In most other cases, a single session per month is suitable.

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Do You Need A Vitamin B12 Injection

Pregnant and breastfeeding women require vitamin B12 for their infants neurological development, red blood cell production, and immune system vitality. Getting adequate vitamin B12, in the form of a high-quality prenatal, supplement, or injection is key. In addition, many older adultsor those who have undergone digestion-related surgerydont have enough hydrochloric acid in their stomach to absorb vitamin B12 in food. Therefore, they also benefit from an injection or supplementing.

People with autoimmune conditions or diseases like celiac or Crohns might benefit from a vitamin B12 shotin essence, those with gut issues. Last but not least, vegetarians, vegans, or predominantly plant-based eaters are likely low in vitamin B12. Even when eating a varied diet, they arent getting enough vitamin B12 from their food. Therefore, routine supplementation or injections are key.

Some Side Effects Can Be Serious The Following Symptoms Are Uncommon But If You Experience Any Of Them Call Your Doctor Immediately:

  • muscle weakness, cramps, or pain
  • leg pain
  • shortness of breath, especially when you exercise or lie down
  • coughing or wheezing
  • swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
  • pain, warmth, redness, swelling or tenderness in one leg
  • headache
  • red skin color, especially on the face
  • hives
  • itching
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing

Cyanocobalamin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .

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Why Is This Medication Prescribed

Cyanocobalamin injection is used to treat and prevent a lack of vitamin B12 that may be caused by any of the following: pernicious anemia certain diseases, infections, or medications that decrease the amount of vitamin B12 absorbed from food or a vegan diet . Lack of vitamin B12 may cause anemia and permanent damage to the nerves. Cyanocobalamin injection also may be given as a test to see how well the body can absorb vitamin B12. Cyanocobalamin injection is in a class of medications called vitamins. Because it is injected straight into the bloodstream, it can be used to supply vitamin B12 to people who cannot absorb this vitamin through the intestine.

Are You At Risk Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

How to recommend vegans get their B12

There are many causes for vitamin B12 deficiency. Surprisingly, two of them are practices often undertaken to improve health: a vegetarian diet and weight-loss surgery.

Plants dont make vitamin B12. The only foods that deliver it are meat, eggs, poultry, dairy products, and other foods from animals. Strict vegetarians and vegans are at high risk for developing a B12 deficiency if they dont eat grains that have been fortified with the vitamin or take a vitamin supplement. People who have weight-loss surgery are also more likely to be low in vitamin B12 because the operation interferes with the bodys ability to extract vitamin B12 from food.

Conditions that interfere with nutrient absorption, such celiac or Crohns disease, can cause B12trouble. So can the use of commonly prescribed heartburn drugs, which reduce acid production in the stomach . The condition is more likely to occur in older people due to the cutback in stomach acid production that often occurs with aging.

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What Is This Medicine

CYANOCOBALAMIN is a man made form of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is used in the growth of healthy blood cells, nerve cells, and proteins in the body. It also helps with the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. This medicine is used to treat people who can not absorb vitamin B12.

This medicine may be used for other purposes ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME: B-12 Compliance Kit, B-12 Injection Kit, Cyomin, LA-12, Nutri-Twelve, Physicians EZ Use B-12, Primabalt

Other Uses For This Medicine

Cyanocobalamin injection is also sometimes used to treat inherited conditions that decrease the absorption of vitamin B12 from the intestine. Cyanocobalamin injection is also sometimes used to treat methylmalonic aciduria and is sometimes given to unborn babies to prevent methylmalonic aciduria after birth. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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Whats All The Buzz About Vitamin B12 Shots

In the more recent months, youve probably heard of adding things to your diet like kombucha and vinegarsand lets not forget how hot avocados are right now. There are also vitamins and supplements that are getting their time to shine, too, like probiotics, collagen, and turmeric. One of the newest star vitamins currently is vitamin Bspecifically vitamin B12, in the form of an injection.

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that is required for proper red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. The amount of vitamin B12 your body needs depends on your age. Most people can get enough vitamin B12 in foods they eat already, such as fish, meat poultry, eggs, dairy products, and foods that are fortified with B12 . However, according to the National Institutes of Health, upwards of 15% of people are deficient in vitamin B12and some studies indicate that number may be higher. People may be deficient in vitamin B12 if they dont eat animal products, or if their body does not absorb it well naturally.

  • Increase energy levels and combat fatigue
  • Speed up metabolism

Before Taking This Medicine

Vitamin B12 Injections Put to the Test

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Vitamin B-12 or cobalt, or if you have Leber’s disease . This medicine can lead to optic nerve damage in people with Leber’s disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • eye problems or Leber’s disease

  • iron or folic acid deficiency

  • any type of infection or

  • if you are receiving any medication or treatment that affects bone marrow.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

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Descriptions Of Deficiency Effects

Between 1849 and 1887, Thomas Addison described a case of pernicious anemia, William Osler and William Gardner first described a case of neuropathy, Hayem described large red cells in the peripheral blood in this condition, which he called “giant blood corpuscles” , Paul Ehrlich identified megaloblasts in the bone marrow, and Ludwig Lichtheim described a case of myelopathy.

Where Should I Keep My Medicine

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C . Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Before Using Cyanocobalamin Injection

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cyanocobalamin injection, nasal gel, or tablets hydroxocobalamin multi-vitamins any other medications or vitamins or cobalt.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antibiotics such as chloramphenicol colchicine folic acid methotrexate para-aminosalicylic acid and pyrimethamine . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol and if you have or have ever had Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using cyanocobalamin injection, call your doctor. Talk to your doctor about the amount of vitamin B12 you should get every day when you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Vitamin B12 Shots Are Very Effective

How often can i get a vitamin b12 shot

An untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems or pernicious anemia, which occurs when your body doesnt have enough B12 to produce the amount of red blood cells it needs .

Vitamin B12 shots are the most common way to prevent or treat a deficiency. The injections are prescribed by a doctor and given intramuscularly, or into muscle.

Injections are usually given as hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. These are very effective at raising blood levels of B12 and preventing/reversing a deficiency.

Bottom Line:

If you are deficient in vitamin B12, then the injections are very effective at raising your blood levels.

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What Side Effects May I Notice From Receiving This Medicine

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • blue tint to skin
  • dizziness
  • red, swollen painful area on the leg

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention :

  • diarrhea
  • headache

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Other Ways To Introduce Vitamin B12 Into Your Diet

Besides fat burning injections, there are other natural ways to introduce Vitamin B12 into your everyday diet. As stated above, Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal foods as well as fortified foods that have B12 added, such as almond milk or breakfast cereals. Great sources of Vitamin B12 include the following:

  • 1/3 cup of liver
  • 1/3 cup of beef kidney
  • 1/3 cup of trout
  • 1/3 cup of canned salmon
  • 1/3 cup of ground beef
  • 2 large eggs

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Can You Have Too Much B12

Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, its generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity. UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Can Be Sneaky Harmful

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What harm can having too little of vitamin B12 do? Consider this: Over the course of two months, a 62-year-old man developed numbness and a “pins and needles” sensation in his hands, had trouble walking, experienced severe joint pain, began turning yellow, and became progressively short of breath. The cause was lack of vitamin B12 in his bloodstream, according to a case report from Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital published in The New England Journal of Medicine. It could have been worsea severe vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to deep depression, paranoia and delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste and smell, and more.

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What Is Normal Level Of Vitamin B12 In Elderly

A serum vitamin B12 level between 200 pg/mL and 900 pg/mL is considered normal, but a threshold of 300 to 350 pg/mL is recognized as a marker for a desirable status in the elderly. The laboratory diagnosis is usually based on low serum vitamin B12 levels or elevated serum methylmalonic acid and homocysteine levels.

Vitamin B12 Injections For Pernicious Anemia: How Often

Vitamin B12 injections are a common prescription for pernicious anemia, and this condition may require a lifetime of treatment of vitamin B12 injections. In the beginning, it is recommended to inject intramuscularly or deep subcutaneously every day. If you see an improvement in symptoms after injecting daily for one week, it is then suggested that you limit injections to once every two days for a total over the course of two to three weeks, which is seven doses. Once your B12 levels stabilize, you only need to administer every three to four days for 2-3 weeks. To maintain appropriate levels, it is suggested you take one B12 injection monthly and frequently get blood tests to determine future treatment.

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Should You Use B12 Injections For Weight Loss

In recent years, B12 injections have been touted as a popular weight-loss tool, with many clinics offering them as part of a diet and exercise package. But do they actually help you lose weight?

Again, the answer here is… it depends. If poor energy levels from a vitamin B12 deficiency are making it impossible for you to lose weight, then injections could certainly go a long way to getting you energized and back in the gym. Vitamin B12 also helps to break down carbohydrates and turn fats and proteins into energy, so if you’re not getting enough B12, your body might not be doing these things well, resulting in some unwanted weight loss.

Of course, if your B12 levels are just fine, there’s no evidence to suggest that introducing an excess of the vitamin into your body would help you meet your weight-loss goals faster.

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