Tag: Vitamin b12 treatment

According to research, up to 20% of adults over the age of 60 may have a vitamin B12 deficiency, and severe cases can lead to profoundly life-altering and potentially permanent neurological complications. Understanding the critical signs is essential for early intervention.

Approximately 3 to 5 years of vitamin B12 stores are held in the liver, but once these reserves are depleted, skipping a B12 shot can cause a gradual return of deficiency symptoms. The initial effects may be subtle, but inconsistent treatment can lead to a host of problems, from worsening fatigue to serious and irreversible neurological damage.

For some patients with a vitamin B12 deficiency, noticeable improvements in energy and mood can appear within the first week of starting treatment. However, the total time for B12 to normalize, including resolving neurological issues, varies significantly and can take several months.

While injections have long been the standard, evidence from a 2018 Cochrane review suggests that high-dose oral vitamin B12 can be as effective as intramuscular injections for correcting serum vitamin B12 levels in patients with a deficiency. Understanding **how do you treat B12 deficiency oral** is crucial for those seeking a less invasive and more convenient treatment option.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin B12 deficiency can go undetected for years, but recognizing the signs is crucial for your health. Knowing how to tell if you are lacking B12 can help prevent potentially irreversible neurological damage.