Cyanocobalamin

Vitamin B12 is a very important vitamin that the body needs to grow and function properly. B12 helps with cell production and keeps the blood and nerves performing to the best of their ability. It also is necessary to aid in protein and tissue synthesis. There are people who can become deficient in Vitamin B12 and need to take a supplemental form of the vitamin. is a man-made form of this crucial vitamin. People who are deficient in Vitamin B12 can take cyanocobalamin to make up for the lack of the natural vitamin in their body. A couple of reasons one may become deficient in Vitamin B12 is having pernicious anemia or being a vegetarian. Vitamin B12 does not occur in plant foods but does occur in foods that are animal based. For people who do not eat meat, dairy or eggs, getting enough of the essential vitamin may be difficult. Other medical conditions resulting in the need of extra Vitamin B12 can include having pancreatic or bowel cancers, having gastrointestinal disorders that prevent the absorption of the vitamin into the body, having a folic acid deficiency or having a parasitic infestation within the body.

Signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency may include feeling tired, weak and light headed. You may also notice pale skin, sore or bleeding gums, nausea, weight loss, diarrhea or constipation. If your Vitamin B12 levels are decreased for an extended amount of time you may begin to notice damage to your nerves. Signs of this would include poor balance, and numbness or a tingling sensation in toes and fingers. You may also experience confusion, forgetfulness and depression. Although these symptoms can be signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency they are also the warning signs for other vitamin deficiencies as well. Therefore it is important to have these symptoms checked out by your doctor.

Once a doctor determines that you need to cyanocobalamin you can start receiving injections into the muscle or deep into the skin. Depending on the severity of the deficiency, injections can be given daily, weekly or monthly. Injections may begin as daily dosage until the Vitamin B12 levels in the body stabilize. Once the levels have increased in the body, the injections may be less frequent and only used for maintenance purposes.

Side effects of having cyanocobalamin may include diarrhea, a warm feeling or pain at the injection site, and itching. Some less common side effects can include breathing problems or congestion. If these side effects occur you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. Before taking Cyanocobalamin you should discuss with your doctor if you have any allergies, current infections or any eye diseases. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss with the doctor before agreeing to take the injection. Vitamin B12 should not be taken if someone suffers from Leber’s disease. Since this product contains Benzyl Alcohol it does carry a risk for some people. If doses are given in large quantities a person may suffer, especially if they have sensitivity to the drug.

Although there are other Vitamin B12 supplements that one can take, including oral forms, the injections of cyanocobalamin is the form of B12 that is absorbed the quickest into the body. After an injection the body will absorb as much of the vitamin that is needed within the first hour. Once the body has used the amount that is required the excess vitamin B12 will pass through the body out the urine.

Vitamin B12 is a necessary nutrient needed to maintain a healthy body. If you feel you are lacking in the vitamin and are showing signs of deficiency you should discuss this with your doctor to get a confirmed diagnosis.

Last updated on Nov 23rd, 2009 and filed under Vitamins and Minerals. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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