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Original poster

Does anyone have vitamin b12 injections?

41 replies

gerryperry · 08/04/2022 18:28

Ive seen my beauty therapist offers them - how do they work in terms of health? Does anyone have them? If so, how often?

Thanks

OP posts:
Thoosa · 08/04/2022 18:33

They “work” if you’re deficient. Like a miracle. If you’re not deficient, I would imagine they don’t do much, BUT, my dietitian thinks the reference range the NHS uses is too wide and so people officially at the lower end of “okay” would benefit from supplementation too.

I have them every 3 months because I have an underlying medical condition.

I did once, early on, get one at a beauty salon when the miscommunication between my consultant and my GP dragged on and I felt like death warmed up. That was a big help.

What is making you consider it? Have you been tested or have symptoms?

Jammysod · 08/04/2022 18:36

Unless you actually have a vitamin B12 deficiency, it's a waste of money.

DemonCat · 08/04/2022 18:37

Yes, every six weeks on the NHS due to an autoimmune condition.

Theoldwrinkley · 08/04/2022 18:39

I had a gastric bypass 3 years ago (privately). They recommended I have B12 but my GP would only prescribe the pills for a year. So I've been purchasing online.
My terrible foot pain is much relieved since taking them. I googled for the cause in desperation and this was suggested (I'm diabetic with neuropathy). But no experience of injections

Thoosa · 08/04/2022 18:39

Quite expensive, too, for something that will just pass as itinerary of you don’t actually medically need it. Grin

Thoosa · 08/04/2022 18:40

Urine^

My autocorrect is a prude.

Mercurial123 · 08/04/2022 18:41

Get a blood test and find out if you are deficient? I had injections for a few months when I was back in the normal range I took supplements. It's just another way for your beauty therapist to make money.

Girlmumdogmumboymum · 08/04/2022 18:45

Only worth taking if you think you're deficient.
The NHS criteria to have low B12 is far too low tbh.
So check the symptoms online. If you have a few give it a go.

I noticed great improvements with it but I had them because I had a gastric sleeve a few years ago

Original poster
gerryperry · 08/04/2022 19:18

I don't need it, I was just curious as to why it was offered in beauty therapy. Thank you all - I can imagine so many people having these injections when they aren't needed.

OP posts:
Thoosa · 08/04/2022 19:28

Vitamin drips were a bit of a celebrity trend.

B12 deficiency is under diagnosed and under treated.

B12 is water soluble so extremely hard to overdose on.

Injections are quicker and more convenient than drips.

So, all in all, I imagine B12 injections are the safe high street version of the celebrity vitamin drip.

Coffeepot72 · 08/04/2022 19:49

*They “work” if you’re deficient. Like a miracle. If you’re not deficient, I would imagine they don’t do much, BUT, my dietitian thinks the reference range the NHS uses is too wide and so people officially at the lower end of “okay” would benefit from supplementation too.

I have them every 3 months because I have an underlying medical condition.*

……………………

I agree with this. I had dreadful neurological symptoms and was diagnosed with low B12. I was still within the normal range, but very near the bottom. Luckily my GP recognised that the range was just a guideline and I was prescribed injections that were miraculous. I now have them every 12 weeks at my surgery. But I regularly have a sneaky top up at a local salon, because I’m never quite convinced that every 12 weeks is enough for me. I am very grateful these injections are now more readily available

Coffeepot72 · 08/04/2022 19:52

But to answer the OP’s question about why these injections are available at salons - I have no idea! Generally if somewhere offers botox then they tend to do b12 too. There’s no obvious connection!

5128gap · 08/04/2022 21:38

Does anyone know what the beauty benefits are meant to be? I take pills as I'm vegan, but can't say I'm any better looking. What should I be seeing?

Roominmyhouse · 08/04/2022 21:49

I’m so glad I saw this thread. I have them every 3 months with the GP as I have pernicious anaemia. I was due one at the end of March so need to get booked in asap!

Original poster
gerryperry · 08/04/2022 22:03

@5128gap

Does anyone know what the beauty benefits are meant to be? I take pills as I'm vegan, but can't say I'm any better looking. What should I be seeing?
I can't find much research on the beauty element of it. I've read more about it helping with depression and also weight loss which is what interested me. Beauty wise - I have no idea. I read something on reduced acne but that's about it.
OP posts:
Stomacharmeleon · 08/04/2022 22:17

I have them because of malabsorption and Crohn's disease- have a colostomy. I have them front loaded and then split up about every six weeks depending on results. Same with other vitamins I am deficit in.

Jammysod · 09/04/2022 07:55

@gerryperry

I don't need it, I was just curious as to why it was offered in beauty therapy. Thank you all - I can imagine so many people having these injections when they aren't needed.
Just a money spinner I'd imagine. There will, undoubtedly be people that benefit, but for those who aren't deficient it's literally money down the toilet.
DemonCat · 09/04/2022 08:30

Absolutely a money spinning fad.

Original poster
gerryperry · 09/04/2022 08:30

I have an appointment later on with my beauty therapist so I'll ask about the injections out of curiosity to see what she says. I can't find any info on how they help any thing beauty/appearance wise so it will be interesting to see what she says. At mine they are charged at £25.

OP posts:
hamstersarse · 09/04/2022 08:33

If you buy some lambs liver for a quid and eat that, you will get a much better effect. The b12 is fully absorbed from animal foods, unlike the supplements

PupInAPram · 09/04/2022 08:36

Marmites's cheaper.

MissM2912 · 09/04/2022 08:39

They Don’t help with beauty- it is for energy

Bergamotte · 09/04/2022 08:45

They'll be offered as the beauticians have training to be allowed to give injections, and have seen there's a market for this.

@hamstersarse there are people who are unable to absorb B12 by ingestion (food or supplements) so need injections.
And some people who didn't have that condition earlier in life, their bodies get less and less able to absorb B12 when they're elderly. So up to a certain point they can get all they need from a balanced diet, then they need B12 pills, then need high-dose pills, then need injections. In homes for elderly people there are always several residents who get B12 injections every 3 months on the NHS.

Interestingly if you need to supplement B12 but can manage without injections, it's good to know that our bodies actually absorb it more efficiently through the gums / inner surface of our mouth than they do through our gut. So best to get B12 tablets that you can dissolve under your tongue, or chewable ones.

PinkSyCo · 09/04/2022 08:55

I have pernicious anaemia, so have injections every 3 months. They do perk me up but only for a month or so. Maybe I should ask my doctor if I can have them more often.

Original poster
gerryperry · 09/04/2022 16:31

So I asked my beauty therapist about b12 injections. She said they are more used to help with sleep and give more energy than any beauty results. They can help with hair growth and better skin but this isn't a major factor.

Beauty therapists offer them as the wait to get them on the NHS can be quite long apparently and as they can have quite an immediate affect, beauty therapists can give them to avoid wait times.

Just to add - i had microneedling done today, quite impressed with the results I have to say!

OP posts:
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