What Is Vitamin B12 And What Does It Do
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, also known as cobalamin.
It plays a vital role in brain function and the production of DNA and red blood cells.
Chemically, vitamin B12 can exist in a number of different forms, but all of them contain the mineral cobalt.
The vitamin can be stored in the liver for a long time, so it may take a few years for a deficiency to develop .
Bottom Line:
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in brain function and red blood cell production.
Potential Health Benefits Of B12
Given the vital role that vitamin B12 plays in your body, a deficiency can have serious health consequences.
This is because low blood levels of the vitamin have been linked to many health problems.
- Brain function
- Poor levels of vitamin B12 have been related to reduce brain function.
Two recent reviews have shown that there may be a link between low blood levels of vitamin B12 and the development of dementia.
However, results have been mixed and treatment with vitamin B12 has not been effective in improving brain function in people with normal brain function.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Vitamin B12 if you are allergic to cyanocobalamin or cobalt, or if you have Leber’s disease . Cyanocobalamin can lead to optic nerve damage in people with Leber’s disease.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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eye problems or Leber’s disease
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iron or folic acid deficiency
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any type of infection or
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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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Many People Are Deficient
The recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 is 6 micrograms per day.
Deficiency is common, especially in people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
In fact, its thought that up to 90% of people following these diets have a deficiency .
This is because B12 is only found naturally in animal foods.
However, vegans and vegetarians are not the only ones who are deficient. Even some meat eaters dont absorb it very well .
Unlike other vitamins, the absorption of vitamin B12 depends on a protein produced in your stomach, called intrinsic factor.
Intrinsic factor binds to vitamin B12, so that you can absorb it into the blood. People who dont produce enough intrinsic factor can become deficient.
Deficiency is particularly common in elderly people, because the ability to absorb vitamin B12 can decrease with age .
Other people at risk of deficiency include those who have had intestinal surgery, including weight loss surgery. Those with diseases that affect the gut, such as Crohns disease or celiac disease, are also at risk .
Bottom Line:
Those at greatest risk of vitamin B12 deficiency are vegans and vegetarians, who get little to no B12 from the diet. Deficiency can also be caused by poor absorption.
Vitamin B12 Injection Basics: Where And How To Administer Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 injections, why not just take the pills and why would I bother about injections?Actually, I thought and felt exactly the same until I had my B12 levels tested because I always felt exhausted, wasnt sleeping well and was constantly lacking energy to perform normal everyday tasks. Well, the injection liquid form of vitamin B12 is specially developed for those that cannot absorb vitamin B12 orally their bodies just wont take it, or at least enough of it, therefore not fixing B12 deficiency problems. Also, sadly enough, there are many types of diseases that require B12 injections, such as Pernicious Anemia, people with Crohns, celiac, and people with intestinal imbalances, such as intestinal tapeworms and excessive bacterial growth. But these arent all of the medical reasons and there are also medications that interfere with B12 absorption. Other common users of B12 injections are people who use it for bodybuilding or to help with weight loss. For all of you, we have high-quality vitamin B12 injections at everyday low prices. Vitamin B12 helps your body turn food into much needed energy, protects your heart, helps with regulating the formation of your red blood cells, DNA production, and in maintaining a healthy nervous system. It also promotes better sleep and lots more.
As with many things, the individual will sort out the most effective method for them.
*Intramuscular Injection Locations
* Subcutaneous Injection Sites
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How Much Does A Vitamin B12 Injection Cost
5/5average costB12 shot
Also asked, how much is a b12 injection?
Despite being cheap 60p per injection NICE recommends B12 injections only once every three months .
One may also ask, do you need a prescription for b12 injections? You‘ll need to obtain a clinical diagnosis for a vitamin B12 deficiency as well as a prescription before you‘re able to get access to the benefits of B12 injections. For most adults, 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 daily is enough to maintain appropriate energy levels, improve stamina, and support good health.
Beside above, how often should b12 injections be given?
The usual dose for pernicious anemia-associated vitamin B12 deficiency is 100 mcg given as an injection into the muscle or under the skin once daily for 6-7 days. Then the dose may be given every other day for 7 doses followed by every 3-4 days for around 3 weeks. Then, 100 mcg should be injected every month for life.
Is vitamin b12 expensive?
Vitamin B12 Prices. The cost for Vitamin B12 injectable solution is around $90 for a supply of 25 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans. A generic version of Vitamin B12 is available, see cyanocobalamin prices.
Where To Buy B12
There are many forms of B12. Methylcobalamin shots happen to be the most influential form of B12 injections that one can purchase. Patients who purchase B12 Injections from medical often notice advantages such as a boost of energy, reduction in appetite, supporting healthy skin, hair and nails, improving heart health, helping brain function, improving mood, and much more.
Always follow the guidance of your medical expert. If you choose to assume self-injection, consult a nurse practitioner or doctor always to understand the proper method of identifying and cleaning the injection site, administration, and how to properly open and clean a vial.
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Where To Inject Vitamin B12
Learning to inject at different injection sites will be helpful, as repeated shots at the same location will be unhealthy for your skin.
For intramuscular injections, the common sites for B12 injections are the arm, upper buttocks, and thigh. Subcutaneous injections can be administered at the side or back of the upper arm, lower abdomen, and front of the thigh. If you have a friend or loved one to help you, the upper buttocks or the arm are a good choice. On the other hand, if you are self-administering, then the thigh is a more convenient location.
Whichever method or injection site you decide on, you should keep your hands and supplies sanitized. First, clean the injection area you choose with alcohol and allow it to dry. Do the same for the top of the vial of your vitamin B12 solution. Draw vitamin B12 from the vial into your syringe. Make sure there is no air trapped inside and no blood when you pull on the syringe slightly.
If you choose to inject intramuscularly, insert the needle at a 90-degree angle. For subcutaneous injections, pinch the fat and insert the needle into the fat under the skin. After injection, apply pressure on the site where you injected B12.
To ensure a safe and successful administration of your vitamin B12 injection, consult your doctor for detailed instruction or demonstration.
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.
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Importance Of Vitamin B12
As per the Official Dietary Supplements standards, vitamin B12 happens to be essential for the reaction that happens to create new DNA in your body. This purpose is especially important for keeping your red blood cells healthy. With insufficient vitamin B12, your red blood cells are able to form wrongly, leading to a disorder recognized as megaloblastic anemia where your red blood cells use to be swollen and unproductive. In addition to its role in DNA synthesis, vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper functioning of your nervous system. The recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 mcg, and you can meet this need through supplementation or by eating a variety of animal products, including milk, meat, and fruit.
B12 Injections: Where To Give Them
The first question to ask yourself is, are you injecting subcutaneously or intramuscularly? We strongly advise readers who buy our B12 to inject SQ. Reason is, IM shots are painful and put people off self-injecting. Theres also a slight risk of nerve injury. In contrast, SQ shots are painless, dont involve any such risk, and are great at delivering B12.
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How To Inject Vitamin B12
When deciding to learn how to inject vitamin B12, some details are essential to know. Needle size, injection site, and dosage will differ for every individual. All these decisions will depend on your preference and what you need.
Vitamin B12 injections can be administered in different ways. The site of injection will also vary depending on many factors. A healthcare professional can determine which site and method are the most convenient for you.
If you are administering vitamin B12 injections at home, there are specific instructions you need to remember. It is advised that you receive guidance from a trained professional before attempting to do this independently. Nevertheless, once you have learned and practiced administering vitamin B12 injections, it will be easy to do it regularly at home.
How To Give Yourself A B12 Injection
Heres how to give a B12 shot subcutaneously:
- To prevent infection, wash your hands before giving a B12 shot. The skin is the bodys first defense against infection, so wash the injection site too . Wait until the area dries.
- Draw B12 from the vial into your syringe of choice . You may need to push and pull the plunger back and forth a couple of times, in a pumping motion. Avoid touching the needle on the glass bottom of the vial, because it might dull its sharpness.
- Hold the syringe upside down and check for trapped air. If you see an air bubble, flick the side of the syringe. You may need to flick it several times, until all air has risen to the top. Then push the plunger a little, just enough to push out the air.
- Pinch the fat . Then thrust the needle in, as if youre throwing a dart. Youll normally do it at a 90° angle. If you have too little fat under your skin, use 45°. Inject slowly.
- When you give a B12 injection, its important to rotate the sites if you want to keep your skin healthy. Repeated shots in the same spot can cause scarring or hardening of fatty tissue, which may interfere with absorption. Keep injection sites 1in apart from each other. And dont inject to any swollen/burned spot.
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B12 Subcutaneous Injection Sites
Where to give a B12 shot subcutaneously? Here are four recommended spots:
Not shown above, the buttock is another place where B12 shots may be given. For self-injection purposes, we normally recommend to inject in the stomach . Its going to be the best B12 injection site for most people, because this area tends to have the most fat, and is easily accessible.
Illustrations from Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care, Doyle & McCutcheon.
When you inject IM, hold the flesh firmly using your thumb and index finger. Then insert the needle in the center, and inject slowly. But again, if youre self-injecting, SQ will be less painful . Also, SQ B12 injection administration sites are more accessible, making self-injection easier.
Effect Of Vitamin B12 Injection On Typhus
at noon. I want to know, is it true that injection of Sohobion or vitamin B12 is contraindicated in typhoid patients? The patients condition at that time was not feverish, his general condition was pale and weak, and his blood pressure was only 80/60 mmHg. He was about 40 years old. If there are contraindications, what is the explanation? Thank you very much for the information,..
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Other Ways To Get Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods, as well as some fortified foods that have added B12.
Fortified foods vary from country to country, but often include milk alternatives or breakfast cereals.
Some especially good sources of vitamin B12 include:
- Liver: 1/3 cup provides 881% of the RDI.
- Beef kidney: 1/3 cup provides 311% of the RDI.
- Trout: 1/3 cup provides 61% of the RDI.
- Canned salmon: 1/3 cup provides 61% of the RDI.
- Ground beef: 1/3 cup provides 40% of the RDI.
- Eggs: 2 large eggs provide 25% of the RDI.
- Milk: 1 cup provides 20% of the RDI.
- Chicken: 1/3 cup provides 3% of the RDI.
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.
In these situations, its usually recommended that you supplement your diet with either a B12 shot or oral supplement.
Fortunately, there is increasing evidence that oral B12 supplements are just as good as injections for raising blood levels in most people .
Vegetarians and vegans are usually advised to take at least 10 mcg per day, or at least 2,000 mcg once per week.
However, some doctors still prefer the use of injections.
Bottom Line:
Many animal foods are high in vitamin B12. Oral supplements have also been shown to be effective at raising blood levels.
How To Give A B12 Injection
This article was medically reviewed by Shari Forschen, NP, MA. Shari Forschen is a Registered Nurse at Sanford Health in North Dakota. She received her Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s from the University of North Dakota and has been a nurse since 2003.There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 17 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 835,975 times.
Vitamin B12 is important for cell reproduction, blood formation, brain development, and bone growth. Individuals suffering from the symptoms of low vitamin B12 , such as depression, exhaustion, anemia, and poor memory, may ask their doctor about vitamin B12 injections.XResearch source The physician will draw blood to measure the total blood levels of vitamin B12 in your body, and if they are low then B12 injections may be an option. Vitamin B12 injections contain a man-made form of vitamin B12 called cyanocobalamin. You should also speak to your doctor about allergies or other conditions which may have an adverse reaction to vitamin B12.XResearch source Though you can self-administer vitamin B12 injections, the safest way is to have someone give you the injection after being trained by a healthcare professional.
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Vitamin B12 Injection Sites
Determining which B12 injection sites to use depends upon the age of the recipient and who is administering. The four most common vitamin B12 injection sites are:
1. Upper arm. The upper arm is often used for adults who are young or middle-aged. Older adults can also use this site if the muscle in the upper arm is well-developed. This muscle is called the deltoid and it covers the shoulder and the uppermost part of the arm. Doses higher than 1 mL should not be administered in this site.
2. Buttocks. The upper, outer buttock on either side of the body is another one of the common B12 injection sites. This is also known as the dorsogluteal site. Only a professional should use this site as it is located close to major blood vessels and the sciatic nerve, both of which could be damaged if an injection is administered improperly.
3. Outer hip. This site is also used for people ranging in age from 7 months to adults. Located on the side of the body above the hip, this is also called the ventrogluteal site. Most professionals prefer this site because there are no major blood vessels or nerves that could be punctured from the injection.
4. Thigh. The thigh is most often used by people who self-administer injections and for infants and small children. The target muscle, vastus lateralis, is halfway between the groin and the knee, slightly off-center towards the outside of the body.
How Is Vitamin B12 Injection Given
Use Vitamin B12 exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Vitamin B12 injection is injected into a muscle or under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Your dose needs may change if you become pregnant, if you breastfeed, or if you eat a vegetarian diet. Tell your doctor about any changes in your diet or medical condition.
Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving Vitamin B12 injection to a child. Your child’s dose will depend on age, weight, diet, and other factors.
For pernicious anemia, you may have to use Vitamin B12 injection for the rest of your life. Do not stop using the medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia or irreversible nerve damage.
Pernicious anemia is also treated with folic acid to help maintain red blood cells. Folic acid alone will not treat Vitamin B12 deficiency or prevent possible damage to the spinal cord. Use all medications as directed.
You will need frequent medical tests.
Vitamin B12 can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Vitamin B12 injection.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
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