What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps to keep your nerves and blood cells healthy. After water and oxygen, vitamin B12 is the next essential micronutrient molecule vital for health. Vitamin B12 is crucial for many systems of the body to function correctly. Our bodies don’t make Vitamin B12, it is obtained from foods such as meat, fish, milk and eggs. You may have a deficiency if you are vegan, if you have other health conditions which mean you are unable to absorb it properly such as pernicious anaemia, you take disruptive medications such as antacids or other lifestyle factors such as alcohol intake.
What is the Vitamin B12 injection?
The vitamin B12 injection is known as hydroxocobalamin and is injected into the arm. Vitamin B12 tablets (known as cyanocobalamin ) are also available and can be bought over the counter from pharmacies or health stores, but are not as effective as the injection for absorption. Some conditions or lifestyle factors can cause malabsorption of B12 digestion orally.
How often should I have B12 injections?
You can have an injection as a one off booster or the medical recommendation for lasting, sustainable results is to have a loading dose of 5-6 injections within 2-6 weeks.
What are the side effects of B12 Injections?
The B12 injection is generally very safe. However, some people may experience some pain, swelling or redness at the injection site, and in much rarer cases headaches, itching or nausea. We do not require doctor'a permission for you to have a B12 injection, however we do recommend speaking to your doctor first if you have any health concerns that may be affected by a Vitamin B12 injection.
How is B12 deficiency diagnosed?
The traditional way of diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency has been with a serum B12 blood test to determine the patients B12 levels as well as the presence of any signs or symptoms of pernicious anaemia. The problem with this is that many sufferers of a B12 deficiency may not have anaemia or have a serum B12 blood level within an abnormally low range in accordance with the ‘normal’ ranges set. There are no national or international agreements of what a normal range is. The tests can also give false readings where they do not assess the bioavailability of the B12 or whether it is functional or not.
What are common symptoms of B12 deficiency?
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Tiredness / lethargy
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Depression
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Hair loss
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Pins & needles
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Numbness in the hands or feet
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Tremors or palsies
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Palpitations
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Recurrent headaches
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Dizziness
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Slower digestion / weight gain
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Irritability
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Mood swings
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Confusion
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Forgetfulness
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Fogginess
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Psychosis
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Hallucinations or delusion
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Anxiety/Panic attacks
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Onset of dementia
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Hormonal imbalances or worsened menopause symptoms
What are contra-indications to having Vitamin B12 intramuscular injections?
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Allergy to any of the products ingredients
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Pregnancy or breastfeeding
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Liver or kidney disease
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When under close medical supervision at hospital
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Active cancer/undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy
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Prone to keloid scarring
DO NOT BOOK A B12 INJECTION IF ANY OF THESE APPLY TO YOU, UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPRESS PERMISSION FROM YOUR GP IN WHICH CASE PLEASE FULLY INFORM ME BEFORE THANKYOU.
What benefits can you expect after a B12 Vitamin injection loading dose?
Within a day
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Fatigue lessens (although this can sometimes take some weeks)
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Become more sociable
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Mood improvements
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Better quality of sleep
Within a week
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Brain fog lifts
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Numbness and pins and needles start to remit
Within 2 weeks
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Strength may return to muscles and joints
Within a month
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Pains in hands and feet remit
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Strength and grip improve
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Cyclical hormones such as fertility cycles normalise
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Thyroid and cortisol hormones normalise
** These results cannot be guaranteed, and can depend on your other lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep health, alcohol / drug intake etc.
What are some of the body systems B12 levels can affect?
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Manufacture and normal function of blood cells
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It rapidly divides all cells from epithelial cells to bone marrow cells
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Energy production through the Krebs Cycle
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Metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins
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Nerve cell conduction
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Neurotransmitters
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Endocrine systems
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Immune systems
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Conversion of homocysteine to methionine, then to SAMe (mood enhancing) and amino acids, with effects on many metabolic processes
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Correct synthesis and transcription of DNA
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Removal of toxins
Where is the B12 sourced?
All injectable products are ordered directly from a registered pharmacy via a medical prescriber, I (Joanna) am insured and fully qualified to administer the B12 intramuscularly. I do not give medical advice and cannot diagnose medical conditions. I do not require permission from your doctor to administer the B12, and cannot treat anyone with the contraindications mentioned above.
What is the aftercare information for B12 injections?
Please follow the aftercare advice for intramuscular Vitamin B12 injection: You may experience some mild tenderness, redness and swelling around the injection site. These effects will usually resolve within 48 hours but may last longer in some cases. You may experience some bruising around the injection site, this will resolve naturally but may take 1-2 weeks to resolve. If you experience any discomfort afterwards you can take a simple over the counter painkiller such as paracetamol. You must seek medical attention and contact your practitioner if you develop any signs or symptoms of skin infection around the injection site. Infection can present as hot, red shiny skin, there may be pus formation and you may have a fever or feel generally unwell. You must contact your practitioner as soon as possible if you experience any other unwanted side effects after having the injection. Seek medical attention if you feel unwell or experience any significant side effects following the injection. Seek emergency medical attention in the rare event that you experience any severe allergy signs or features of anaphylaxis after the injection. These may include rash, facial swelling and breathing difficulties. It is essential that you have read all of the information available.
Book your Vitamin B12 Injection in Cheltenham today and start to feel the revitalizing benefits!