B12 deficiency affects roughly 40% of Americans—and researchers have identified some genetic underliers that cause certain people to have trouble transporting or absorbing the vitamin. For these individuals, symptoms of deficiency may be more pronounced and require B12 therapy to treat them.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency may include:
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is required to form red blood cells and DNA. It’s also a key player in healthy brain and nerve cell function. Since our bodies cannot make B12 on their own, we need to consume a steady supply of it. It’s a water-soluble vitamin, meaning we need to replenish reserves daily, as the body absorbs what it needs and excretes the rest as urine.
Dietary sources of B12 include: animal liver and kidneys, clams, sardines, beef, tuna, trout, salmon, fortified cereal, dairy products, and eggs. Vitamin B12 binds to protein in these foods. B12 reverts back to its free form in the stomach when exposed to hydrochloric acid and enzymes. It’s then absorbed by the small intestine and transported through the bloodstream.
For men, 2.4 micrograms of B12 a day should do the trick. There’s no upper limit or toxicity concerns, though some research has suggested taking more than 25mcg a day may increase the risk of bone fractures, so it’s always a good idea to speak with a physician before starting supplementation.
Benefits of taking B12 may include increased energy, mood, and brain function. Improvements in sleep, hair, and skin quality are often noted. Ensuring adequate B12 levels may also help protect you from heart disease.
Your doctor may recommend Vitamin B12 replacement therapy for:
These are just a few of the conditions associated with high dose Vitamin B12 therapy, so be sure to ask a physician if you are suffering from any or all of the aforementioned symptoms.
High dose B12 therapy can be taken in a number of forms:
Research has not shown a difference in the absorption between the different types of B12, though the effectiveness of your treatment will depend upon the underlying cause of deficiency. Depending on your symptoms, current B12 levels, medical history, and lifestyle, your physician may recommend one type of therapy over another.
Initial lab tests for B12 deficiency include a complete blood count with a peripheral smear and serum B12 and folate levels. Other lab tests may include MMA and homocysteine levels. Periodic testing may be necessary to determine how well B12 therapy is working.
If you’d like to learn more about B12 therapy for men, telemedicine offers a convenient way to explore your treatment options from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Connect with a board-certified men’s health physician through MensARX™ via a confidential, face-to-face telemedicine appointment on your phone or laptop.
We can order complete blood and urine lab results from a lab convenient to you, review the results, and make appropriate therapeutic diagnoses and recommendations for your specific health concerns.
We also can refer you to a local pharmacy for prescription pick up, send scripts to your preferred pharmacy, or connect you with a mail order pharmacy.
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