As medicine and science begin to better embrace the basic vitamins and minerals our bodies need for good health, there are often reports about these nutritional supplements being a treatment or cure for new conditions and diseases. Vitamin B12 has enjoyed such notoriety in current media, but many of these studies are merely preliminary or with results blown out of proportion.
What It Is
Vitamin B12---also called cobalamin, cyanocobalamin, and extrinsic factor---is a water-soluble vitamin found in many animal products, including egg yolks, chicken and dairy products.
B12 injections are concentrated doses of vitamin B12, given to people with certain health conditions such as pernicious anemia, post surgery for certain conditions or Crohn's disease.
B12 Myth
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. of the Mayo Clinic advises that there is no medical or scientific evidence that B12 in any form, including B12 injections, assists with or promotes weight loss.
Strict Vegetarianism
Those people who adhere to a strict vegetarian diet that includes not only no meat, but no animal products, may experience vitamin B12 deficiency. For these individuals, the health care provider will likely advise daily supplementation with an oral B12 product and may initiate therapy with a B12 injection.
Deficiency
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) advises that symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, tingling or numbness of the hands and feet, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, there may be confusion and a change in mental status.
Testing
If the health care provider suspects a vitamin B12 deficiency, she will likely test your reflexes. Tests ordered may include a complete blood count, Schilling test, serum vitamin B12 level, LDH cholesterol level, bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow examination.
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