Although a certain amount of hair-thinning is a side effect of aging, many people also lose hair due to vitamin deficiencies and underlying medical conditions. If you experience more hair shedding than normal, ask yourself if a too-tight hairdo or stress might be the cause. If not, consult your doctor for advice. In some cases, vitamin B-12 injections are an effective treatment option.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
Vitamin B-12 is available in fortified cereals, beef, fish, milk and cheese. Those who are deficient in vitamin B-12 either lack it in their diet or have a medical condition that interferes with absorption, such as pernicious anemia or an intestinal disorder. Since vitamin B-12 is important for growth, cell reproduction, blood formation and protein and tissue synthesis, doctors sometimes prescribe vitamin B-12 injections to increase vitamin B-12 levels.
Vitamon B-12 for Hair Loss
It's normal to lose around 100 hairs daily, says MedlinePlus. Although baldness is generally a result of heredity, aging and hormone changes, some people lose excessive amounts of hair as a side effect of a more serious condition, such as pernicious anemia. Vitamin B-12 injections help correct hair loss and other symptoms resulting from the deficiency, such as diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, numbness in the hands and feet, shortness of breath and depression.
Side Effects and Cautions
If you choose to use vitamin B-12 injections as a hair-loss treatment, do so under the advice of your doctor. Tell your doctor about any medications you are using to avoid drug interactions. Vitamin B-12 side effects include headache, dizziness, pain or swelling at the injection site or fever. Serious side effects include chest pain, swelling, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath and warmth, redness or pain in the extremities. Report these side effects to your doctor immediately.
Recommendations
The best way to get your daily recommended amount of vitamin B-12 is by eating a balanced diet. Vegetarians are at a higher risk of developing hair loss due to deficiencies because the body absorbs animal sources of vitamin B-12 better than it does plant sources. Even so, vitamin B-12 injections are not always necessary. A multivitamin or B-complex vitamin is often sufficient. Even people who take in enough vitamins sometimes use these supplements to strengthen brittle nails and treat hair loss. Vitamin B-7, also known as the "beauty supplement," is particularly common for this purpose. Talk to your doctor to determine whether injections or oral supplements are right for you.
Member Comments