Problems with B12 deficiency A lack of B12 in your body affects several nervous system and red blood cell functions, which can lead to things like: Anemia: causes fewer red blood cells to move from your bone marrow Birth problems: increases risk of pregnancy loss and neural tube defects Osteoporosis: leads to poor bone health and fracture risk Macular degeneration: progression of age-related macular degeneration Memory loss: the onset of early-stage dementia is greater The advantages of B12 injections The decision to get a B12 shot instead of a supplement depends on factors such as your level of vitamin deficiency, the presence of symptoms, and how your need changes over time
While some formulations are designed to enhance oral absorption, they don't always fully overcome these inherent biological hurdles
The body needs vitamin B12 to metabolize proteins and fats properly and to turn carbs into glucose, which is used as fuel
As an indicative example, without its own effect on normal blood pressure, it counteracts L-NAME hypertension as well as L-arginine hypotension (Sikiric et al., 1997a)
NICE guidance recommends intramuscular hydroxocobalamin as first-line treatment for B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anaemia or malabsorption