IV and IM Vitamins Therapy in West Covina, CA
Common questions asked by clients: What is IV and IM vitamin therapy? What is the difference between IM and IV vitamins? What are the benefits of IV vs IM? For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2707 Valley Blvd, West Covina, CA 91792. We serve clients from West Covina CA, Rowland Heights CA, Diamond Bar CA, Brea CA, Whittier CA, and surrounding areas.
Vitamins and antioxidants delivered intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) are the quickest and most efficient way to boost the body’s defenses and compensate for deficiencies. Unfortunately, an imbalance of vitamins may lead to feelings of lethargy or exhaustion and can lead to more severe symptoms. Thankfully, an IV or IM infusion can easily set things right. Boost energy levels, increase immunity, improve the skin’s health, and more by directing a potent dose of vitamins straight to the source.
However, while a vitamin IV or IM treatment is quick and painless, it is still essential that treatment is administered under the direction of a licensed medical professional like board-certified surgeon Dr. Daniel H. Lin of Shine Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Lin understands the importance of taking precautions with IV and IM treatments. Furthermore, his extensive knowledge of the human body allows him to correctly diagnose possible vitamin deficiencies that may negatively affect his patients’ lives.
Dr. Lin’s patients in West Covina, CA, have come to expect the best in surgical procedures and medspa services and can expect the same level of care with IV and IM vitamin treatments. Our dedicated Shine Cosmetic Surgery staff is standing by to help you amplify your health with a vitamin treatment! Contact us or book an appointment today. We serve Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Inland Empire, and the San Gabriel Valley.
Vitamins and Your Body
Vitamin deficiency can be detrimental to our health, cognitive function, and skin’s ability to regenerate. In Dr. Lin’s IV and IM injections are biotin, vitamin C, and vitamin B12. So, how do these vitamins and antioxidants affect healthy biological function?
Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 helps make DNA and helps to keep blood and nerve cells healthy. B12 deficiency can contribute to diseases of the blood and neurological disorders, as well as harm psychiatric and cardiovascular health. B12 deficiency can produce:
- Megaloblastic macrocytic anemia: red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, but without B12, the red blood cells are too large, unhealthy, and die earlier than usual, causing the body to be tired and weak.
- Pancytopenia: a condition caused by a decrease in red and white blood cells and platelets.
- Paresthesias: also known as “pins and needles.”
- Peripheral neuropathy: damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord causes weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet; it can also affect digestion, urination, and circulation.
- Spinal cord subacute combined degeneration: a preventable, reversible medical condition that affects the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve.
- Psychiatric issues: irritability, personality changes, mild memory impairment, dementia, depression, and psychosis.
- Cardiovascular risk: heart attack and stroke.
Vitamin C: A deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can initially bring to mind seafaring vessels and shouts of scurvy, but that level of deficiency is rare today. And while the ability of vitamin C to fight the common cold, in reality, is related only to shortening symptoms, there is evidence that ascorbic acid may increase resistance to cancer. Unfortunately, a vitamin C deficiency can adversely affect growth, the extracellular matrix, and hormonal regulation.
Biotin: Biotin is associated with healthy, shiny hair and smooth skin. Additionally, biotin helps turn carbohydrates, fat, and protein into energy. Biotin deficiency is rare but, in severe cases, can be attributed to:
- Thinning hair
- Brittle nails
- Rash and skin infections
- Pinkeye
- High levels of acid in the blood and urine
- Seizures
- Nervous system disorders
Cut Out the Middle-Man
When we reach for an oral supplement to boost our health, we assume what we take is what we get, but vitamins vary widely in chemical structure and properties. Therefore, there are no unique mechanisms to ensure adequate absorption. For example, when you take a water-soluble vitamin, the “Middle-Man” (the gut) is the first to receive it. However, because of digestion, the supplement often leaves the body before it can enter the bloodstream; IV and IM injections cut out the middle-man. Additionally, with an injection or infusion, you are receiving a higher vitamin concentration, which means a higher level of cellular absorption.
About IV Infusion
A qualified nurse will carefully access your vein with a needle attached to a line and drip bag containing your vitamin or a unique blend during your intravenous injection. Then, as you relax, vitamins are delivered directly into the bloodstream. Your nurse will monitor your infusion throughout to ensure proper administration. Intravenous infusions can last from 20-minutes to an hour.
About IM Injections
A qualified nurse will use a syringe to deliver vitamins deep into your muscle. From there, the vitamins are quickly absorbed by surrounding blood vessels and distributed through the body via the bloodstream.
Injection vs Infusion
The best vitamin infusion or injection method for you will depend on which vitamins you are receiving, what you are addressing, how quickly or slowly the vitamin needs to work, and other factors like weight, age, cost, and more. During your consultation, we will inform you which method is suitable to meet your needs.
Vitamin Absorption
Take a look at how the body deals with the absorption of these vitamins and antioxidants:
- B12 Absorption: Bacteria synthesize vitamins of the B complex in the intestinal tract, which may bode well for the bovine and swine but not so well for humans. The molecules of the B12 vitamin are large and need to combine with an even larger molecule to cross the intestinal barrier. Additionally, even in the free state, members of the vitamin B12 group are not lipid-soluble, which presents an absorption problem through the lipid membranes of the absorptive cells. Additionally, certain conditions prevent proper absorption of B12, like Crohn’s disease.
- Ascorbic Acid Absorption: When ingested orally, only about 70% of a 500mg dose of water-soluble ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is absorbed. A little under 50% of that portion is not used because it is expelled through the bladder. A smaller dosage leads to a higher percentage of the vitamin being flushed out of the system. Vitamin C you later.
- Biotin Absorption: Humans cannot synthesize biotin (vitamin H), so the vitamin must come from outside sources when intestinally absorbed: either a dietary source or a bacterial source (normal bacteria and microscopic algae and fungi) of the large intestine. As with many vitamins, the availability of biotin from food sources varies. Dietary biotin forms are protein-bound and digested to free the biotin before absorption in the small intestine. However, mutations in the enzyme that helps recycle biotin to be reused by the body can impair the body’s ability to use the protein-bound biotin. Additionally, the absorption of biotin in both the small and large intestine must involve a human sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (hSMVT); without this, the ability to absorb biotin dramatically decreases. Furthermore, people with biotinidase deficiency (a rare genetic disorder), people with alcohol dependency, and pregnant and breastfeeding women can present with biotin deficiencies.
Candidates for Treatment
Ideal candidates for vitamin treatment vary; Dr. Lin will determine your candidacy for treatment during your consultation. Many people seek vitamin treatment for a variety of reasons that may include:
- Dehydration due to extreme exercise or alcohol consumption
- The inability to get the proper nutrients from diet alone
- A desire to increase immunity
- A wish for increased energy
- High levels of stress
- A desire for healthier skin, hair, and nails
Consultation
During your consultation, Dr. Lin will ask you to provide a comprehensive medical history to determine if vitamin treatments suit you. You will also be asked what factors prompted you to seek a vitamin injection or an infusion, disclose any medications you take, including prescription and OTC, plus any oral supplements you take or tea you drink regularly. Dr. Lin is happy to answer any questions you have at this time. If you are a good candidate for treatment, he will create your customized plan. Schedule your consultation today! Contact us or book an appointment today.