Vitamin Injections | B12 Shots

Vitamin Injections: B12 Shots

What is B12?

B12 is an essential vitamin critical for healthy brain, nerve, and cardiovascular function. B12 works together with folate to synthesize DNA and blood cells. It is also involved in the creation of key parts of the nervous system and nerve health.

 

What is a B12 deficiency?

It is becoming more common for people to have a B12 deficiency. Conditions such as pernicious anemia is an example of severe B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency is so common because the absorption of B12 is complex and involves several steps. Malabsorption of B12 can result due to: leaky gut aka intestinal permeability, celiac disease, hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), medications (like PPI’s), alcohol use, exposure to nitrous oxide, and autoimmune conditions like pernicious anemia.

B12 deficiency also can occur even if the person is consuming a high B12, whole foods diet due to the body not properly absorbing B12.

 

Who is at risk of B12 deficiency?

Vegetarians, vegans, people over age 60, people taking PPI’s or acid suppressing drugs, people on diabetes drugs like Metformin, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or Celiac disease patients, and those with history of infertility. Celiac disease an autoimmune disorder, triggered by the protein gluten found in wheat.

 

Symptoms that can improve with B12 Shots:

• Fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Low motivation/depressed mood
• Irritability and anxiety
• Numbness or tingling
• Chronic pain
• Hair and nail health
• Allergies
• PMS

Benefits of B12 Shots:

B12 shots are safe and highly effective. Most patients feel immediate boost in energy after injection. Other benefits include: improved mood, increase in metabolism, heart health, improve nerve function.

What are the potential risks?

Because it’s a water-soluble vitamin, any excess that isn’t used should be flushed from the body. The Institute of Medicine reports that “no adverse effects have been associated with excess vitamin B12 intake from food and supplements in healthy individuals.” If a patient is not improving from B12 injections, there might be an underlying cause that warrants further work-up, such as pernicious anemia or lack of intrinsic factor. B12 has the potential to interact with certain medications such as metformin and PPIs.

 

At Starting Point, we offer B12 shots to enhance wellness.

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To learn more about B12 shots, call our office today (425) 686-4498 to schedule a consult.

Please note, if it is your first time to the clinic, an initial office visit is required (which is typically covered under your insurance), B12 shots are $35 and packages are available.