Setting Realistic Expectations from Vitamin B12 Injections

Vitamin B12 injections are an alternative to oral use under certain conditions which you may wish to know ... by Dime Alexi, a registered nurse and a free-lance writer whose specialties include health issues

Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is an essential nutrient that performs many functions in the body including the support of nerve health and the production of new genetic material. Deficiencies in cobalamin can result in numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, diarrhea and upset stomach, and even neurological damage. To counteract such symptoms, Vitamin B12 injections are often administered by doctors instead of their oral counterparts.

What to Expect in Benefits

Many will wonder why cobalamin injections are as popular as the oral supplements. After all, injections can be painful especially in the case of Vitamin B12 as the needle is placed in the intramuscular region. Doctors have their reasons of which the following are the most notable:

• Injections allow for a flexible dosing schedule. In people with pernicious anemia, such scheduling is convenient considering that the injections are given frequently during the first few weeks - once every 2 days is considered normal - and then will taper off as the vitamin takes hold in the system. You may even have the Vitamin B12 injections just once in a month and then once every few months. You will then have one less thing to remember - take your vitamin pills, if you must ask.
  
  
• Cobalamin injections also exhibit faster absorption into the body and at higher amounts, too. Your doctor will inject 1,000 to 2,000 mcg cobalamin per shot while oral cobalamin is only at 2mcg per pill. If you are suffering from fatigue, you are more likely to enjoy the benefits of energy faster as well.

The nutritional supplements information for vitamin B12 lists down numerous benefits for taking the vitamin in either its oral or injectable form. Cobalamin is used to cure pernicious anemia, lessen the risks for Alzheimer's disease and treat chronic fatigue, to name a few. When combined with thiosulfate, hydroxycobalmin treats cyanide poisoning.

What to Expect in Side Effects

But all is not as rosy as many will want to view Vitamin B12 injections. It is of equal importance to know the possible side effects along with the benefits of these injections so as to set the right expectations. This way, you can also discuss with your doctor if indeed you are suitable for cobalamin injections.

We have to emphasize that side effects from these injections are generally few and far between. Still, we cannot dismiss the possibility that any patient can suffer from these side effects:

• Upset stomach characterized by mild diarrhea
  
  
• Headaches, nausea and a feeling of being bloated
  
  
• Joint pains
  
  
• Muscle weakness, pain and cramps
  
  
• Rapid heartbeat and palpitations
  
  
• Rapid weight gain

Basically, if you experience anything unusual with your body after the Vitamin B12 injections, you must immediately consult with your doctor. You will want to explore other options since these side effects can become serious health problems.

In fact, your doctor will not administer cobalamin injections when you have underlying medical conditions like Leber's disease, iron and folic deficiencies, liver and kidney illnesses and any medication affecting the bone marrow. Otherwise, you will suffer from graver health complications than what you wanted to seek a cure for in the first place.

Indeed, Vitamin B12 injections are well and good but only under the supervision of your doctor. You can always revert to cobalamin-rich foods and oral cobalamin supplements.

Do You Have A Great Story About This ?

You know that it's great to learn about new advances in health, and better ways that scientists and researchers are developing for us to live better, but what really drives the point home--helps us to appreciate these things more that personal stories and experiences?

If you (or someone close to you) has had personal experience with what you've been reading about on this page, why not add your story to the record? We'd love to hear from you and if you provide us with enough information we'll dedicate an entire page to your report, giving you full credit for it. If your story isn't enough for a full aricle, we'll save it to be included in a composite article together with others which we receive.

Enter Your Title

Tell Us Your Story! [ ? ]

Close Help Entering your story is easy to do. Just type!... Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph.

Upload A Picture (optional but highly encouraged) [ ? ]

Close Help Do you have a picture either that shows something about your story or you as the author? Great! Click the button, find it on your computer. Then select it.

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What you see on Nutritional Supplements Information is just a sample of what's available for you in our Secrets of Natural Healthy Living. Check it out now!

Much more than Vitamin B12 injections discussed back on the home page