Explore B12 Shots at Chapter Studio in Chicago
If you’ve been advised to add B12 shots to your health and wellness regimen, you don’t need to visit your doctor’s office every time you need a dose. Instead, you can receive it in the cozy comfort of a med spa.
As a medical spa, Chapter Aesthetic Studio in Chicago is staffed with nurses and licensed estheticians. So we’re proud to offer B12 shots and other medical-grade treatments for anti-aging, body sculpting, skincare, and more. Best of all, you’ll always enjoy the blissful atmosphere and personalized attention of a spa, rather than the sterile environment of a medical practice.
Not sure if B12 shots are right for you? In the sections below, we’ll cover all you need to know, including who this treatment is right for, how it works, and potential side effects.
This information is not intended to be medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before starting a new supplementation routine.
Why We Need Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a role in a number of vital body functions, such as:
- DNA production
- Nerve function
- Cell metabolism
- Red blood cell function
In addition to its essential functions, B-12 may also contribute to your daily energy levels, immune system function, bone health, and the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
The human body doesn’t produce its own supply of B12, so it’s necessary to ingest this nutrient through food or supplementation. Dietary sources of B12 include meat, fish, eggs, mushrooms, and dairy products. Most plant-based foods don’t naturally contain B12. However, some products, such as plant-based milks, can be fortified with B12.
Who May Benefit From Vitamin B12 Shots?
Vitamin B12 injections are primarily recommended for individuals who suffer from B12 deficiency. It’s estimated that B12 deficiency occurs in around 6% of Americans under the age of 60 and in around 20% of Americans over the age of 60.
Lack of Vitamin B12 in your diet can cause a deficiency. Notably, studies suggest up to 88% of people following a vegetarian or vegan diet may be deficient if they don't make a special effort to get enough B12. For example, vegetarians and vegans may become deficient if they don’t make a special effort to get enough of this essential nutrient. Additionally, some medical conditions cause B12 deficiency, such as:
- Digestive diseases such as Crohn’s disease
- Pernicious anemia
- Gastritis
- Autoimmune conditions
- Excessive alcohol use
- Gastrointestinal surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery
These conditions can make it harder for the body to absorb enough of the B12 consumed in foods or supplements, resulting in a deficiency.
How Do You Know If You’re Deficient in Vitamin B12?
For those who suffer from B12 deficiency, a long and varied set of symptoms may occur. These include:
- Lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Rapid heart rate
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Glossitis (tender, swollen tongue)
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be detected through blood testing. A person with a B12 level under 200 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) is considered deficient, while levels between 200 and 300 pg/mL are considered borderline deficient.
Getting a B12 Shot at a Med Spa: How It Works
A Vitamin B12 shot is injected into a muscle, typically on the thigh or upper arm. An injection only takes a few moments and is safe when performed by a qualified professional. The only typical side effects are the minor pain that occurs during shots as well as slight discomfort or swelling around the injection site.
Compared to taking a B12 supplement orally, an injection offers a pure dose that can be fully and rapidly absorbed by muscle fiber. This is especially helpful for patients with a B12 deficiency related to digestive issues that affect normal vitamin absorption.
Along with getting your needed dose of B12, the same injection can also include recommended doses of other vitamins. These may include Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and other B vitamins.
B12 doses can also be delivered as part of a “skinny shot” nutrient blend that helps support diet and exercise efforts by boosting metabolism. Along with B12, “skinny shots” contain additional vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that support liver health and the efficient elimination of toxins and fats from the body.
Get Vitamin B12 Shots at Chapter Aesthetic Studio in Chicago
If you need regular injections of Vitamin B12, you don’t need to deal with the hassle of doctor’s appointments, nor the unpleasant predicament of self-injecting your doses at home. Instead, Chicago-area residents can turn to the expert team at Chapter Aesthetic Studio.
Book an appointment today or contact our team to learn more.
