Vitamin B12 Injections - When Are The Needed?
Are There Side Effects From Vitamin B12 Shots?

Vitamin B12 injections are just one form of treatment for people who are deficient in B12. What are the side effects of these vitamin B12 shots?.

There has been some chatter about vitamin supplements and how they might possibly be endangering your health rather than helping it.

Obviously it's better if you can obtain your nutrients naturally, by consuming foods rich in vitamin B12.

However, in cases of anorexia, or some other form of disordered eating, it might not be possible in the beginning, since the individual's eating habits are not the best, or perhaps even non-existent.

In this situation your doctor might inform you that vitamin B12 treatment is required.

The treatment depends on the cause of the deficiency. For example, if it's a dietary issue, as with eating disorders, then supplements (vitamins) may be recommended before vitamin B12 injections.

Injections are likely more helpful in those individuals who show signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, but are not able to absorb it in the body. This is a case where deficiency cannot be prevented, and therefore ongoing vitamin B12 shots would probably be required.

Vitamin B12 Injections - How Often Will You Need Them?

Although treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency is available in several different forms, you often get the best results through vitamin B12 injections.

If your doctor has suggested that you need shots, he/she will put you on schedule that ranges from daily to monthly.

If deficiency is severe, a person could receive as many as seven shots per week in order to restore the body's B12 reserves.

This usually forces the body to rapidly produce new red blood cells. You typically begin to see some improvement after the first two or three days.

As the levels continue to build up in the body, vitamin B12 injections can then be spaced out a little more. On average, shots would be required approximately every one to three months in order to prevent recurrence of the deficiency.

Reactions To Vitamin B12 Injections

Due to its low toxicity, reactions to vitamin B12 itself are extremely rare when used as directed. Vitamin B12 injections tend to have the highest incidence of reported severe side effects.

Vitamin B12 Shots

Although uncommon, some severe B12 shot side effects or oral supplements would include:

Blood clots in arms and legs - (Peripheral vascular thrombosis)
Skin infections around the hair follicles - (Folliculitis)
Acne
Heart failure
Severe allergic reactions affecting various parts of the body
Fluid in the lungs - (Pulmonary edema)

Side effects of vitamin B12 shots are fairly rare in healthy individuals. People who are sensitive or allergic to cobalamin or cobalt maybe want to avoid supplements, but overall they are very safe. Most side effects are temporary and will subside after a few days.

Certain people may experience side effects that cause discomfort, but in and of themselves, they are not life-threatening. Some examples would include: