While over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12 supplements can be purchased without a prescription and are generally considered safe at recommended doses, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor first. Self-diagnosing a deficiency can delay proper treatment for underlying conditions and the supplements can interfere with certain medications.
No, you can take Vitamin B12 without doctor's orders. It may be an unnecessary expense for you, but there is little harm in taking vitamin B12 tablets etc. What you are taking orally is NOT the active form of the vitamin.
For pregnancy, Vitamin B12 (like cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin) is crucial for fetal brain/nerve development, especially for vegans/vegetarians; most get enough from animal products, but supplements (oral or injections for deficiency) are recommended if dietary intake is low, with doctors advising specific forms and dosages to prevent anemia and neural tube defects, so always consult your healthcare provider.
Vitamin B12 doesn't directly cure plantar fasciitis, but a deficiency can worsen symptoms or mimic it by causing nerve issues (neuropathy) and weakening tissues, while supplementing may help if you're deficient by improving nerve health and healing, though the primary treatment remains stretching, orthotics, and rest to address the mechanical stress.
If your B12 levels are only slightly low, or you don't have symptoms, your healthcare team may have you try an OTC form of oral vitamin B12 first. But if you can't absorb oral vitamin B12 properly, you'll likely need prescription vitamin B12 treatment.
Taking B12 without consulting your doctor may lead to restlessness, depression, mood swings, and even panic attacks.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
Tingling and numbness: One of the most common symptoms is a tingling, prickling or numb sensation in the hands or feet. This can happen if the vitamin deficiency causes damage to the myelin sheath, which is a protective layer that surrounds and protects nerve fibers.
Taking vitamin B12 daily is generally safe for most people, as it's water-soluble and excess is flushed out, but high doses can cause mild side effects like headaches, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea in some individuals, while very high levels (especially from injections) might rarely link to other issues, so it's best to stick to recommended amounts unless treating a diagnosed deficiency.
Frontiers | Vitamin B12 Enhances Nerve Repair and Improves Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury by Inhibiting ER Stress-Induced Neuron Injury.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can sometimes lead to temporary infertility, an inability to conceive. This usually improves with appropriate vitamin B12 treatment.
Digestive disturbances: Symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. Headaches, rashes, and itching. Numbness or weakness in the arms, legs, and facial muscles. Cardiovascular complications: These may include increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, chest pain, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
How many B12 pills equal a shot? While it might seem like a 1000 micrograms (mcg) B12 shot is equal to a 1,000 mcg B12 supplement, it's not that simple. Your body absorbs these B12 formulations differently, so you can't simply make B12 pills equal a shot dosage.
In fact, some studies have even suggested the opposite. For instance, one study noted that individuals who regularly took vitamin B12 supplements gained between 2.5 to 17 fewer pounds (1.2 to 7.7 kg) over a decade than those who didn't supplement.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
If you stop taking prescribed cyanocobalamin tablets, your vitamin B12 levels may start to go down. If your levels get too low, you may start to get symptoms such as tiredness again. This may take days, weeks or months to happen because it depends on: what your vitamin B12 levels are.
Overview. Vitamin B-12 is a vitamin the body uses to make and support healthy nerve cells. It's also used to make healthy red blood cells and the genetic material inside cells called DNA.
People who find it difficult to get enough vitamin B12 in their diets, such as those following a vegan diet, may need vitamin B12 tablets for life.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including: numbness. muscle weakness. psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
The Boots Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit checks your vitamin B12 levels, using a finger-prick blood sample. Use of this kit requires internet access. All personal data in relation to this product, services and online platforms are collected and processed by MyHealthChecked.
“Our findings demonstrate that low B12 levels are associated with greater walking and balance problems, possibly due to the known effect of B12 deficiency on the central and peripheral nervous systems,” said Christine.
Causes of Vitamin B12 deficiency
Five common symptoms of anemia are fatigue/weakness, pale or yellowish skin, shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heartbeat, and dizziness or headaches, all resulting from a lack of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen. Other signs can include cold hands/feet, brittle nails, or unusual cravings like ice (pica).
Symptoms such as pins and needles, disturbed vision, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness and problems with balancing and walking, psychological problems such as depression and confusion, problems with memory, understanding and judgement could also be related to B12 deficiency.