Injecting B12

[BigDumbbell]

I'm decided to try some injectable B12 in hopes that it gives me a little energy boost. Being a semi-novice at the injectable stuff (I just last year worked up the courage to add some subcutaneous HCG to my TRT regime) I thought I would ask you guys some questions to make sure I'm doing it right.

1) Dosage: did a search on this one and seems like 1000mcg/week is about right... I thought I would split this into 500mcg twice a week. Does this sound ok?

2) Type of injection: seems as though it doesn't matter IM or SC and since I haven't worked up the nerve to try IM I'm going to go the SC route. Is this ok?

3) Location: I inject my HCG around my belly button... same with the B12?

4) Stupid question (don't hate me): I always inject the same amount of air into my HCG vial liquid I'm taking out. Is this the correct way to do it, and would the same apply to the B12? Does this cause any risk of contamination, etc....? I feel foolish asking this one but I figure it's better to ask than find out years later that I was doing it wrong...

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[farmerjohn]

I have been injectiing some B12 also at Dr. Shippens suggestion because I was on Nexium which reduces stomach acid and acid is required to absorb B12 from food or supplements.

On the dosage he had me start at 500 mcg every other day and then taper off to 1000 mcg per week, two 500 mcg injections.

He said subQ was fine so thats what I do. I do it in my thigh but the stomach should work fine too I would think.

I inject air to get the liquid out of the vial. I think you will have to or eventually there will be such a vacuum in there you wont be able to get it out.

[The_Skeptic]

Originally Posted by BigDumbbell

I'm decided to try some injectable B12 in hopes that it gives me a little energy boost. Being a semi-novice at the injectable stuff (I just last year worked up the courage to add some subcutaneous HCG to my TRT regime) I thought I would ask you guys some questions to make sure I'm doing it right.

1) Dosage: did a search on this one and seems like 1000mcg/week is about right... I thought I would split this into 500mcg twice a week. Does this sound ok?

2) Type of injection: seems as though it doesn't matter IM or SC and since I haven't worked up the nerve to try IM I'm going to go the SC route. Is this ok?

3) Location: I inject my HCG around my belly button... same with the B12?

4) Stupid question (don't hate me): I always inject the same amount of air into my HCG vial liquid I'm taking out. Is this the correct way to do it, and would the same apply to the B12? Does this cause any risk of contamination, etc....? I feel foolish asking this one but I figure it's better to ask than find out years later that I was doing it wrong...

Any help is greatly appreciated!

I read that IM injections are more effective when it comes to B12 because this enables it to hit the bloodstream quicker. I've been injecting between 1000-2500 mg every three days or so. It does seem to improve my mood.

[van-man]

B vitamins are heat soluble which means that they will begin to break down soon after being injected. So, with IM you get a dual benefit of quicker entry into the blood stream in general and the B12 can work its magic on the red blood cells sooner before it starts to break down.
But there are advantages to its heat solubility. This trait makes it non toxic. You can't OD on vitamins B or C. They are both heat soluble and will be filtered through your body with ease. Vitamins A, D, E, and K do not share this trait however, and you must take care with the amounts of these vitamins you ingest.
I've used injectable B complex for years with great success. I always go IM, I take 1000mcg of B12 everyday before I train, and I take 1 - 2000mcg before each race. Whatever your body doesn't use is just pissed away.

[BigDumbbell]

Thanks all... I'm going for it tomorrow morning!

One last rookie question, if I do decide I have the balls to try IM injections can I still use my little insulin needles or do I have to use something that will go deeper?

[The_Skeptic]

Originally Posted by BigDumbbell

Thanks all... I'm going for it tomorrow morning!

One last rookie question, if I do decide I have the balls to try IM injections can I still use my little insulin needles or do I have to use something that will go deeper?

You'll need longer needles, something at least an inch long.

[BigDumbbell]

That sucks... looks like I'll stick to subq for now.

Thanks again for the help!

[The_Skeptic]

Originally Posted by BigDumbbell

That sucks... looks like I'll stick to subq for now.

Thanks again for the help!

If you use a 29-gauge needle, which is easy to do on B12 because it is so liquidy, you won't feel a thing.

[van-man]

Originally Posted by BigDumbbell

Thanks all... I'm going for it tomorrow morning!

One last rookie question, if I do decide I have the balls to try IM injections can I still use my little insulin needles or do I have to use something that will go deeper?

If you've got some places on your body that don't have much body fat on them you can use the 5/16" insulin pins. I can shoot my delts and outer quads with them no problem along with a few other places but those two are my favorites.
Otherwise you would have to get the longer pin like skeptic is saying. But don't worry man, it doesn't hurt any worse.