Like the other seven B vitamins, vitamin B-12, also called cobalamin, helps your body convert carbohydrates into glucose to produce energy, and promotes the health of your skin, hair, eyes and liver. Potassium is an important mineral because it promotes proper function of all your cells, tissues and organs. If you are severely deficient in either, injections may be necessary.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 helps you maintain healthy nerve cells, and assists in DNA and RNA production. In addition, vitamin B-12 helps regulate red blood cells and promotes the function of iron in your body, as well as regulates immune function and mood.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency
Vitamin B-12 deficiencies are common, especially among the elderly. Poor diet and lack of stomach acid can result in vitamin B-12 deficiency, as can a lack of meat in the diet, malabsorption conditions, stomach bacteria and eating disorders.
A deficiency of vitamin B-12 can result in fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nervousness and numbness, while severe deficiency of vitamin B-12 can cause neurological damage. Vitamin B-12 deficiency also may increase the chances of developing heart disease.
Pernicious Anemia
One of the most common reasons for vitamin B-12 injection is to treat pernicious anemia, a condition inhibiting stomach cells from making intrinsic factor and absorbing vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 injections can help reduce symptoms such as weakness, pale skin, diarrhea, weight loss, fever and numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet.
Weight Loss
Some people receive vitamin B-12 injections in attempt to lose weight. Some of these people claim that vitamin B-12 injections can boost energy and speed up metabolism to promote weight loss. However, evidence is insufficient to back up these statements. Injections are unlikely to boost energy unless you are vitamin B-12 deficient, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Vitamin B-12 supplementation generally is considered safe, but it may have adverse reactions with certain medications.
Potassium
Potassium helps keep the heart functioning normally and regulates digestive and muscular function. Potassium also maintains fluids in your body and is an electrolyte, a substance that conducts electricity in the body. Potassium deficiency can result in hypokalemia, a condition that may cause weakness, low energy, cramping, upset stomach and irregular heartbeat.
Potassium Chloride Injections
If oral potassium chloride is not effective in treating hypokalemia, it may be necessary for you to receive potassium chloride injections. Potassium chloride injections must be diluted before being administered, otherwise instant fatality may occur. Potassium chloride also contains aluminum, which may be toxic if your kidneys are not functioning properly.
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