Vitamin B12 Injections (Energy Booster)
Vitamin B12 (otherwise known as cobalamin) injection is an injection given intramuscularly (usually the top of the arm) for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency. Perfect for vegans and vegetarians
Vitamin B12 helps fight anaemia, lethargy and tiredness, keeps the body's nerves and blood cells healthy and even helps us metabolise fat and carbohydrates for energy. Stress, fatigue, and reduced physical energy levels are common side effects of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
For healthy individuals, B12 injections benefits include an improvement in physical wellbeing. As a moderate appetite suppressant, one of the other potential benefits of B12 injections is weight loss. They can be used intermittently and are a popular therapy for exhaustion, burn out, and even post-party nausea!
Vitamin B12 (otherwise known as cobalamin) injection is an injection given intramuscularly (usually the top of the arm) for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency. Perfect for vegans and vegetarians
Vitamin B12 helps fight anaemia, lethargy and tiredness, keeps the body's nerves and blood cells healthy and even helps us metabolise fat and carbohydrates for energy. Stress, fatigue, and reduced physical energy levels are common side effects of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
For healthy individuals, B12 injections benefits include an improvement in physical wellbeing. As a moderate appetite suppressant, one of the other potential benefits of B12 injections is weight loss. They can be used intermittently and are a popular therapy for exhaustion, burn out, and even post-party nausea!
Vitamin B12 injections can be accessed via the NHS. There are specific guidelines to qualify for these injections at your NHS practice, so we would advise that you speak with your G.P directly for more information.
There are no known cases where a vitamin B12 injection has impacted the effectiveness or caused complications with current COVID vaccine programmes.
How do I know if I am B12 deficient?
Many signs and symptoms of a B12 deficiency can also indicate other problems, such as a folate deficiency or something more serious. B12 deficiency can only be diagnosed by your GP, as as well as assessing your clinical signs and symptoms they will also take a blood test to monitor the levels of B12 in your blood. Together, these will help form a diagnosis.
People can also have 'normal' levels of B12 in their blood, but be symptomatic - this is known as a functional B12 deficiency. Furthermore, a B12 blood test only measures the 'total' amount of B12 in your blood; not simply the form of B12 that is 'active' and can therefore be 'used' by the body. This means that if a significant amount of B12 in your blood is 'inactive', the fact that you are deficient will NOT show that you are indeed deficient.
Many signs and symptoms of a B12 deficiency can also indicate other problems, such as a folate deficiency or something more serious. B12 deficiency can only be diagnosed by your GP, as as well as assessing your clinical signs and symptoms they will also take a blood test to monitor the levels of B12 in your blood. Together, these will help form a diagnosis.
People can also have 'normal' levels of B12 in their blood, but be symptomatic - this is known as a functional B12 deficiency. Furthermore, a B12 blood test only measures the 'total' amount of B12 in your blood; not simply the form of B12 that is 'active' and can therefore be 'used' by the body. This means that if a significant amount of B12 in your blood is 'inactive', the fact that you are deficient will NOT show that you are indeed deficient.
Am I at risk of a B12 deficiency?
You are at risk for B12 deficiency if you:
Are a vegetarian
Are a vegan
Have chronic gastritis
Have had previous surgery on your stomach
Have any chronic bowel conditions, such as Chrons disease or colitis
You take certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) - a medicine sometimes used to treat heartburn and indigestion
You are at risk for B12 deficiency if you:
Are a vegetarian
Are a vegan
Have chronic gastritis
Have had previous surgery on your stomach
Have any chronic bowel conditions, such as Chrons disease or colitis
You take certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI's) - a medicine sometimes used to treat heartburn and indigestion
What are the signs and symptoms associated with a B12 deficiency?
You may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency if you fall into any of the aforementioned categories. Signs and symptoms include
(but are not limited to):
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Tiredness / lack of energy
Pale skin
Numbness and / or tingling (paraesthesia)
Feeling faint
Noticeable heartbeat (palpitations)
Feeling short of breath
Loss of appetite
Ringing in your ears (tinnitius)
Unintended weight loss
Changes in your vision
A yellow tinge to the skin
Depression
Irritability
Changes in the way you feel, behave, and think ('brain fog')
A decline in mental function, such as changes to your memory, judgement and understanding (dementia)
You may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency if you fall into any of the aforementioned categories. Signs and symptoms include
(but are not limited to):
Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
Tiredness / lack of energy
Pale skin
Numbness and / or tingling (paraesthesia)
Feeling faint
Noticeable heartbeat (palpitations)
Feeling short of breath
Loss of appetite
Ringing in your ears (tinnitius)
Unintended weight loss
Changes in your vision
A yellow tinge to the skin
Depression
Irritability
Changes in the way you feel, behave, and think ('brain fog')
A decline in mental function, such as changes to your memory, judgement and understanding (dementia)
How long do B12 injections last?
Anywhere from 1-3 months.
Anywhere from 1-3 months.
How quickly will I feel better?
B12 injections work quickly; they are the most effective way for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Within 48 to 72 hours, your body will begin to make new red blood cells. For mild deficiencies, you may need two to three injections over several weeks to notice peak impact.
Are vitamin B12 injections suitable for everyone?
You cannot have a vitamin B12 injection if:
You are sensitive to any of the excipients, which are - acetic acid, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and water for injections.
How often can I get a B12 shot?
The usual frequency for intramuscular doses of B12 shots is every 10 days, followed by maintenance doses at varying intervals. After this period, injections can be administered once per month, which this frequency is enough to reverse the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Side effects to Vitamin B12 are SO rare that they cannot be estimated from current data (in other words, less than 1 in 10'000). These extremely rare side effects include:
Reactive thrombocytosis during the first week of use in megaloblastic anaemia
Hypersensitivity reactions including: rash, itching, exanthema, antibodies to HYDR0XOCOBALAMIN-transcobalamin II
Anaphylaxis
Hypokalaemia
Headache, paraesthesia, tremor
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias secondary to hypokalaemia)
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Fever, chills, hot flushes, dizziness, malaise, pain and / or swelling at the injection site
Acne
Abnormal colouration of the urine (chromaturia)
B12 injections work quickly; they are the most effective way for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Within 48 to 72 hours, your body will begin to make new red blood cells. For mild deficiencies, you may need two to three injections over several weeks to notice peak impact.
Are vitamin B12 injections suitable for everyone?
You cannot have a vitamin B12 injection if:
You are sensitive to any of the excipients, which are - acetic acid, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and water for injections.
How often can I get a B12 shot?
The usual frequency for intramuscular doses of B12 shots is every 10 days, followed by maintenance doses at varying intervals. After this period, injections can be administered once per month, which this frequency is enough to reverse the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Are there any risks or side effects?
Side effects to Vitamin B12 are SO rare that they cannot be estimated from current data (in other words, less than 1 in 10'000). These extremely rare side effects include:
Reactive thrombocytosis during the first week of use in megaloblastic anaemia
Hypersensitivity reactions including: rash, itching, exanthema, antibodies to HYDR0XOCOBALAMIN-transcobalamin II
Anaphylaxis
Hypokalaemia
Headache, paraesthesia, tremor
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias secondary to hypokalaemia)
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Fever, chills, hot flushes, dizziness, malaise, pain and / or swelling at the injection site
Acne
Abnormal colouration of the urine (chromaturia)
What should you not do after a B12 shot?
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours after your treatment. Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after your treatment. Avoid touching the injection site for 6 hours after your treatment. You may experience a dull ache at the injections site for around 1 hour after your treatment.
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours after your treatment. Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours after your treatment. Avoid touching the injection site for 6 hours after your treatment. You may experience a dull ache at the injections site for around 1 hour after your treatment.