Vitamin B12 Advantages
A rare inherited condition caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12 (Imerslund-Grasbeck disease). Injecting vitamin B12 as a shot for 10 days, followed by monthly injections as a lifelong reminder, is a highly effective treatment for individuals with an inherited disease characterized by poor vitamin B12 absorption.
Insufficient vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 can both prevent and treat deficiency. It can be taken orally, as a shot, or inhaled through the nostril. People with severe vitamin B12 deficiency and those unable to consume vitamin B12 orally benefit tremendously from the injection.
More beneficial for
Cyanide toxicity. Hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit), an organic form of vitamin B12, is more likely to be an effective treatment for cyanide toxicity when administered as an injection of up to 10 grams. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of hydroxocobalamin (Cyanokit) to treat cyanide poisoning.
Possibly Helpful for
Canker sores: Using a gel or cream containing vitamin B12 helps alleviate canker sore discomfort. In addition, preliminary studies indicate that taking 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 sublingually (under the tongue) may help to reduce the duration of outbreaks, the number of canker sores, and the discomfort caused by canker sores.
Blood with elevated homocysteine levels (hyperhomocysteinemia). Homocysteine levels in the blood can be reduced by orally ingesting vitamin B12, folic acid, and occasionally pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
Herpes zoster causes nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia). Injecting vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin under the skin six times weekly for up to four weeks reduces pain more than taking vitamin B12 orally or injecting lidocaine under the skin in patients with shingles-related nerve damage. Other studies demonstrate that it reduces pain and the need for analgesics. Adding thiamine or lidocaine to the treatment appears to reduce irritation as well.