To Inject Or Not To Inject? What You Need To Know About Vitamin B12 Injections
Vitamin B12 is well known to many as an energy booster. However, this particular vitamin can do much more than ensuring your body stays fully charged. In fact, your body can suffer a wide variety of side effects if you are not getting enough Vitamin B12. Read on to learn more about the signs of deficiency, types of B12 and a few simple facts about the vitamin in its injection form.
Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
There are many signs of deficiency of B12, including some of the following:
- Weakness and Fatigue
- Weight Loss
- Tingling/Numbness in Toes and Fingers
- Sore Mouth and Tongue
- Memory Loss and Confusion
- Mood Changes
- Difficulty Walking
Types Of Vitamin B12
You can get Vitamin B12 in several different ways, including:
- Oral Spray
- Capsule
- Injections
Many people have to get injections due to the fact that they lack a protein in their stomach that will allow the B12 to absorb. Some may also require injections because they have gastrointestinal problems that create problems for the absorption of the vitamin.
Facts About Vitamin B12 Injections
- Vitamin B12 injections are injected directly into the muscle, which means that a health care provider is necessary for giving the injections.
- There are two separate types of Vitamin B12, which are Methycobalamin and Cyanocobalimin. The former is the active form of B12, which means it is almost always the type that is used for injections. The latter requires the body to convert it into the active form, which is something that not everyone's body is able to do.
- Some people must take injections for their entire life, if their deficiency is severe enough to warrant such action.
- You may switch to oral spray or supplements after the injections have helped the body reach the appropriate levels of Vitamin B12, assuming the body is able to handle the absorption of the vitamin.
- Vitamin B12 can be purchased online at various venues for a cheaper price, especially if purchased in bulk, but costs will still apply for the administration of the injection.
- Due to the fact that Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, the body is able to eliminate what it does not need. Therefore, it is basically impossible to overdose on this particular vitamin.
If you think that you may be Vitamin B12 deficient, speak with your health care provider immediately and discuss your symptoms. He or she can then help you understand what options are available and whether or not injections are right for you. For more information, you can also contact a vitamin B12 supplier, like Metabolix Wellness.