Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin the body uses to produce energy, but if you develop heart palpitations, discontinue using the product and call your doctor right away. Because heart palpitations are not a common side effect of this supplement, the symptom is most likely related to an allergic reaction. Whenever you introduce a new substance into your body, you risk developing an allergic reaction, and heart palpitations are commonly associated with a severe allergic reaction.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is sold over the counter as a dietary supplement and is not regulated by the FDA. Before using B-12, talk with your doctor about the potential risks and benefits of taking this supplement. Your body does not store B vitamins, meaning you expel any excess in your urine. B-12 specifically helps maintain healthy nerve cells and works with vitamin B-9 to form red blood cells. Although this supplement is classified as generally safe for most people by the University of Maryland Medical Center, heart palpitations are an alarming symptom that needs medical assessment.
Allergy to Vitamin B-12
B-12 occurs in various foods and will not trigger an allergic reaction. If you develop an allergy to B-12, it is most likely because the supplement is synthetic B-12 and you may have an allergy to one or more of the ingredients in the supplement. Ingesting synthetic B-12 may confuse your immune system, causing your body to overreact to the presence of the vitamin.
Chemical Reactions
When your immune system mistakes the B-12 supplement as an intruder, it attacks the substance with antibodies to protect your body. Antibodies in the bloodstream cause mast cells to produce histamine, a hormone that will cause inflammation and swelling, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Most allergy symptoms are the product of the presence of histamine.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations may feel like your heart races and then slows down, or you may feel a pounding in your chest. They are commonly associated with anaphylaxis, a whole-body allergic reaction that can cause death. During anaphylaxis, your body will experience extreme symptoms, such as hives, inability to breathe, diarrhea, severe stomach pain, a drop in blood pressure, vomiting, hallucinations and heart palpitations. Call 911 if you develop one or more of these symptoms to prevent further complications. An injection of epinephrine may be required to restore your body to its normal functionality.
