Is it better to take B12 shots or pills?

Low B12 can cause anemia and fatigue. For many people with low B12 levels, a daily supplement in the form of a pill is as effective as taking a monthly muscle injection.

Is oral B12 as effective as injections?

In both studies, high-dose oral B₁₂ was as effective as intramuscular injection at achieving neurologic and hematologic response. Vitamin B₁₂ is available over the counter in the form of tablets (100, 500, 1,000, or 5,000 mcg) and lozenges (50, 100, 250, or 500 mcg).

Which is more effective B12 shots or pills?

B12 injections can be more effective than the pills in certain patients who have trouble absorbing vitamin B12. In the majority of patients the pills are just as good as the injections.

Can B12 tablets replace injections?

Oral vitamin B12 can provide an effective alternative to intramuscular injections, so giving patients a choice and reducing costs in primary care.

What is the most effective form of vitamin B12?

The most common and cost-effective form of Vitamin B12, Cyanocobalamin is most often found in supplements and some fortified foods. Hydroxocobalamin is a highly bioavailable form of Vitamin B12 that is used to treat people with serious deficiencies.

Vitamin B12 Injections Put to the Test

How much B12 should you take a day?

The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms.

What's the best way to absorb vitamin B12?

In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form. From there, vitamin B12 combines with a protein called intrinsic factor so that it can be absorbed further down in the small intestine. Supplements and fortified foods contain B12 in its free form, so they may be more easily absorbed.

How quickly do B12 tablets work?

It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.

How long does a B12 injection last?

Generally, the results of vitamin B12 injections can last about one week, but it is vital to have this administered by a healthcare provider. Also, the healthcare provider will determine the appropriate B12 dosage, depending on the current medical condition and diet.

How soon do you feel less tired after a B12 injection?

Key facts. Hydroxocabalamin starts to work straight away. However, it may take a few days or weeks before your symptoms start to improve and you feel better. At first, you may need to have the injection a few times a week to boost your levels of vitamin B12.

Is it okay to take 1000 mcg of B12?

The most common treatment for pernicious anemia is lifelong vitamin B12 injections, but small amounts of vitamin B12 are absorbed without intrinsic factor. One review concluded that taking 1,000 mcg daily is an effective alternative to injections ( 42 ).

How many B12 vitamins equal a shot?

B12 shots contain about 100 micrograms of B12, which is roughly 40 times the recommended daily value for an average healthy adult (2.4 micrograms). But these high doses are necessary to help treat people with a deficiency.

What are the symptoms of low B12?

Do B12 tablets work?

Research now shows that high doses of oral vitamin B12 (eg. 1000mcg daily) can be just as effective at treating deficiency, even in the absence of intrinsic factor, and may be a suitable alternative to intramuscular injections for many people.

Do B12 pills help with weight loss?

Taking Vitamin B12 for losing weight is sometimes praised as a smart weight loss regimen, but it's not fit to help everybody lose weight. The vitamin can counteract a natural deficiency in the body, which, when resolved, can provide boosts in energy and metabolism.

Are B12 pills the same as B12 shots?

Low B12 can cause anemia and fatigue. For many people with low B12 levels, a daily supplement in the form of a pill is as effective as taking a monthly muscle injection. The choice of shot or pill depends on the reason for the deficiency.

Why am I not better after B12 injections?

Though this vitamin is naturally produced in your body, the injection of additional B12 may cause some internal side effects you should know about. It is common to experience headaches, dizziness, and weakness immediately after the injection. These should fade fairly quickly.

Can you take too much B12?

Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity. UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.

What medications should not be taken with B12?

Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers ...

When should I take B12 morning or night?

As a general rule of thumb, take your B vitamins in the morning or with a meal. Vitamin B12, for example, should definitely be taken in the morning. This is because it is important for energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night.

What is the most common cause of B12 deficiency?

Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach. An autoimmune condition means your immune system, the body's natural defence system that protects against illness and infection, attacks your body's healthy cells.

What is the fastest way to increase B12?

Who will get the most benefit from a vitamin B12 supplement?

In people who are pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding — especially those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets — supplementing with a B-complex vitamin is crucial. B12 or folate deficiency during pregnancy or while nursing can lead to severe neurological damage or birth defects in the fetus or infant ( 10 ).

Can too much B12 make your hair fall out?

A minimum daily dose of each vitamin is necessary to maintain good health. Significantly exceeding this dose, however, can cause illness. In general, the symptoms of vitamin toxicity include nausea, gastrointestinal problems like constipation and diarrhea, hair loss, rashes, and nerve damage.

How much B12 should a woman over 50 take?

The latest guidelines recommend 2.4 micrograms per day of vitamin B12 for those aged 51 and older. Most daily multiple vitamins supply this amount.