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What are vitamin B12 injections?

B12 injections are, essentially, a vitamin supplement. Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in keeping your nerves and blood cells healthy. It’s usually obtained from foods such as meat, milk, fish, and eggs. But deficiency is common and is typically caused by either a vegan or vegetarian diet or an underlying health condition (such as pernicious anaemia).

Who is it for?

You may be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, and therefore a B12 injection may be suitable for you if:  

  • You are vegan or vegetarian

  • You are lacking energy and feeling fatigued

  • You have chronic gastritis

  • You have previously has surgery on your stomach

  • You have any chronic bowel conditions, such as Crohn's disease, colitis, or IBS

  • You take any medications sometimes used to treat heartburn and acid reflux (proton pump inhibitors)

What are the signs and symptoms associated with B12 deficiency?

Signs and symptoms can 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 

What are the benefits of B12 injections?

An injection of B12 can bring on immediate health benefits.

  • Increases Energy Levels and Concentration. ...

  • Improves Metabolism

  • Boosts the Immune System

  • Helps Improve Sleep Patterns

  • Helps Stop Certain Types of Hair Loss

How long do B12 injections last?

Anywhere from 1-3 months.

Is it painful?

You may feel a slight sting as the injection is inserted, but it is very quick and takes less than two seconds.

How quickly will I feel better?

If you are B12 deficient, you can expect to feel an improvement in your signs and symptoms within a matter of days.

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.

Are there any risks or side effects?

Vitamin B12 injections are very safe, it is not possible to take too much vitamin B12, and side-effects are so rare that they are unable to gather actual statistics other than the risk is less than 1 in 10'000.