Using vitamin B12 injections in managing deficiency is not the usual preferred standard form. After all there are other easier routes possible with the use of capsules and nasal sprays. When the medical conditions, however, require immediate attention and fast action, the form that is most ideal is vitamin B12 injections.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a result of the body’s failure to absorb dietary supplements due to certain structural or physiological defects.One common cause is the lowering of the acidity in the stomach. This prevents the formation of intrinsic factors and complexes that are important in the B12 absorption. Obstruction of absorption happens when certain medicines interact such as metformin for diabetes, hyperacidity and peptic ulcer drugs and chloramphenicol for bacterial growth.
Further, the risk for vitamin B12 deficiency is increased with aging.
The need for an immediate treatment and recovery is necessary for geriatric cases and those with pernicious anemia. A maintenance of a high dosage of vitamin B12 is required in their conditions. The choice can be between a high oral dose of cobalamin (500-1000 micrograms daily) or routine intramuscular injections at a dosage of 1 mg per month. This dosage also helps aging or geriatric patients to reduce homocysteine levels in the blood to similarly reduce the probability of heart diseases and strokes.
Vitamin B12 injection are valuable in severe cases of fatigue and lethargy. The cobalamin injection can boost the metabolic rate and therefore, the energy level of the body, Cases like CFS or Chronic Fatigue syndrome can be treated with a 6 to 70 mg dose of vitamin B12 injection once a week for 3 weeks. Vitamin B12 injection perks metabolism raising the energy levels. Consequently, this is now used as a basis in its administration to weight loss centers. The studies related to weight loss, however, are not convinced that it can promote weight loss. The way vitamin B12 injections influence the metabolic rate seems to be the only basis for assuming that fast metabolism is equivalent to faster burning of calories and weight loss.
Shingles are caused by varicella-zoster virus and the skin manifestations are like chicken pox. Besides skin eruptions, other manifestations of infection include stomach pains, fever and chills, headache and soreness of the skin. This dreadful infection can be best treated with vitamin B12 injections.
Orally administered B12 can also be as potentially good. The use of vitamin B12 injections is preferred though when absorption in the digestive tract is compromised.