Cyanocobalamin comes as a solution (liquid) to be injected into a muscle or just under the skin. It is usually injected by a healthcare provider in an office or clinic. You will probably receive cyanocobalamin injection once a day for the first 6-7 days of your treatment. As your red blood cells return to normal, you will probably receive the medication every other day for 2 weeks, and then every 3-4 days for 2-3 weeks. After your anemia has been treated, you will probably receive the medication once a month to prevent your symptoms from coming back.Cyanocobalamin injection will supply you with enough vitamin B12 only as long as you receive injections regularly. You may receive cyanocobalamin injections every month for the rest of your life. Keep all appointments to receive cyanocobalamin injections even if you feel well. If you stop receiving cyanocobalamin injections, your anemia may return and your nerves may be damaged.Diet/NutritionB12 Shots: Should You Get One?Markham HeidFor more, visit TIME Health.More and more, ours is a worn out, sleep-deprived, distracted nation.
It’s no wonder a shot of energy and focus would appeal to many of us. And that’s exactly what B12 injections deliver—literally—for those who lack sufficient stores of the nutrient.“B vitamins are essential for proper cellular respiration,” explains Dr. Roxanne Sukol, medical director of Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Enterprise. Without adequate supplies of B12, most of the cells in your body will struggle to take in enough oxygen, which can affect everything from your energy levels to your mood and concentration, Sukol says. Classic symptoms of a B12 deficiency also include diarrhea or constipation, pale skin, and shortness of breath, according to the National Institutes of Health.The nutritional necessity of B12 explains why it’s such a popular supplement, and also why some celebrities have touted B12 injections as the magic ingredient in their health regimens. The vitamin’s links to increased energy have also made B12 popular among some dieters and weight loss clinics—the thinking being that more energy will translate to more exercise.“
But unless you have a B12 deficiency, there’s really no role for it,” Sukol says of B12 shots and supplements. Put simply, more isn’t better. And even if you’re low on B12, there’s no evidence injections of it will help you lose weight, says Dr. Brent Bauer, director of the complementary and integrative medicine program at Mayo Clinic. “Everybody’s looking for a shortcut,” he says. “B12 supplementation has its benefits, but it’s not a solution for weight loss.”So weight loss is out, but B12 shots have been associated with other conditions, too. In fact, there’s some solid research on B12 injections for the treatment of fibromyalgia and myalgia encephalomyelitis.Food sources of the vitamin include eggs, meat, and dairy products. People who eschew those foods are at elevated risk. “When I test vegans for B12, they’re usually on the low side—if not deficient,” Sukol says. Some gut-related diseases like Crohn’s or Celiac—as well as most types of weight loss surgery—can also limit the amount of B12 your system absorbs, she adds.
But figuring out if you’re low on B12 is trickier than you might suppose. A much-cited 2000 study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found nearly 40% of the population have B12 levels that fall at or below what experts consider the low end of normal. While you might assume anything in the “normal” range means you’re in good shape, Sukol says that’s not always the case.“Blood tests are not always black and white the way we’d like them to be,” she says. “If I have a patient taking a lot of naps and complaining about poor concentration, I might recommend B12 supplementation even though the blood tests look normal.”You’ll notice she says “supplementation” and not “injections.” Unless you have one of the above conditions that prevent your gut from breaking down and absorbing the vitamin, a B12 pill is as effective as a B12 poke, research suggests. “For many people, an oral supplement is just as good [as an injection].”Finally, when it comes to the safety of both B12 injections and oral supplements, you don’t have much to worry about.
“B12 is water soluble, and it’s generally safe even at very high doses,” Bauer explains. “You put a needle in your arm and there’s always the risk of swelling or pain at the site, but in the complementary medicine realm B12 is probably one of the safest things you could take.”If you’re often worn out or foggy brained, even after a good night’s sleep, “take a B12 supplement for a week or two and see how you feel,” Sukol advises. If your fatigue persists, have your blood tested for nutrient deficiencies.A B12 shot may be just what your doctor orders.Taking too much vitamin B6 can cause nerve damage, but vitamin B12 is safe for most people. Sufficient amounts of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are needed to stay well and feel your best, but it’s possible to get too much of these vitamins if you take supplements. Taking too much vitamin B6 can be harmful because excess amounts of B6 can cause nerve damage. Taking too much vitamin B12 is rare, but excess amounts of B12 may cause complications for people with certain underlying conditions.
Consult your doctor before taking vitamin B6 or vitamin B12 to avoid health problems. Functions All the B vitamins are important for producing energy and fighting infection and disease, but vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 also play a role in cognitive function. Vitamin B6 helps make neurotransmitters needed for brain development, and vitamin B12 keeps your nerve and blood cells healthy and aids in making DNA, among other functions. , and vitamin B12 is sometimes taken to boost mood and help with memory loss. A deficiency of either B6 or B12 can cause anemia, so these vitamins may be taken to treat this condition, which leads to low energy. Tolerable Upper Limits Adults ages 19 to 50 need 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily, while older women need 1.5 milligrams and senior men need 1.7 milligrams. Don’t take more than 100 milligrams a day, which is the upper tolerable limit set by the federal government. Adults of all ages need 2.4 micrograms a day of vitamin B12; there is no upper tolerable limit for B12 because high doses are considered safe for most people.
The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements notes that nutrients should come primarily from foods rather than supplements. Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods; vitamin B12 is found only in animal products, with beef liver and clams the richest sources. B6 Health Risks High intakes of vitamin B6 from food is safe, but taking high doses of B6 supplements for a year or longer can cause severe and worsening neuropathy characterized by loss of control of bodily movements. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, symptoms of neuropathy usually stop when the supplements are discontinued. Harvard School of Public Health states that high-dose vitamin B supplements should be avoided because they could lead to nerve damage. Taking too much vitamin B6 can also cause sensitivity to the sun, painful and disfiguring skin lesions and gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and heartburn. Taking vitamin B6 can also interfere with several types of medications. B12 Health Risks Taking vitamin B12 is considered safe, although high-dose supplements or prescription-only injections of B12 might cause diarrhea, itching, blood clots and allergic reactions in some people.