We’ve all reached that point in our day when we’re exhausted, whether it’s after a full day of work, we helped someone move, we’re stressed out or feeling anxious or depressed, or any number of other reasons. That lack of energy is known as fatigue, and dealing with it all the time can affect your ability to feel motivated about doing anything, even getting out of bed.
In addition to physical exertion, fatigue can be brought on by conditions like arthritis, anemia, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, flu, eating disorders, sleeping problems, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes.
Another reason for getting tired and staying that way is a lack of specific nutrients like vitamin B12. If you live in the Beverly Hills, California, area, and you’re dealing with low energy issues due to vitamin B12 deficiency or other conditions, Dr. Shawn Veiseh and his skilled medical staff can help.
To find out whether a B12 shot will help relieve your chronic problems with fatigue, let’s examine what a vitamin B12 deficiency is, how it leads to fatigue, and how much B12 you need to stay healthy.
Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin, And it plays a vital role in cell metabolism, red blood cell formation, DNA production, and nerve function. There are several foods abundant in the vitamin, including poultry, fish, other meats, and dairy. It’s also added to various foods like fortified breakfast cereals.
Problems with bodily absorption of the vitamin appear in 20% of people over 60 in the United States and United Kingdom according to research, and people with vegetarian or vegan diets are more likely to struggle with this condition.
Your cells need B12 for proper function, and without the necessary amount, your red blood cell production decreases, which makes delivering oxygen to your cells more difficult. As a result of a lack of this vitamin, your body has less energy and tends to feel tired more frequently.
A deficiency can also cause a condition called megaloblastic anemia which creates larger, immature, and abnormal red blood cells and leads to impaired DNA synthesis.
In addition to fatigue, a deficiency of B12 can lead to other symptoms like pale skin, headaches, depression, gastrointestinal problems, difficulty concentrating, decreased mental function, mouth and tongue pain or inflammation, and paresthesia in your hands and feet.
Those who are likely to need B12 shots include people with the aforementioned symptoms as well as those with illnesses like pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, infertility, heart palpitations, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, pancreatic insufficiency, or AIDS.
People over 60, vegans, and vegetarians often need B12 shots, and the amount needed is measured in micrograms (mcg) and will depend on your age and the conditions that necessitate it. Here are the basic needs of vitamin B12 over the years in the average person:
If you deal with fatigue all the time and you’re experiencing many of the other symptoms listed, a B12 shot may be what you need. To find out if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency or some other condition that’s causing your fatigue, make an appointment with Dr. Veiseh and his team today. Call our office or schedule a visit online.
