Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 Deficiency – General Information

This vitamin is usually associated with a diet containing meat, fish and diary products. There are a few non-animal food sources of this vitamin too, though less common. Therefore those people practicing a vegetarian diet have a greater risk of developing a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vegetarians can make sure that they don’t fall prey to vitamin deficiency by consuming B12 fortified foods like fortified breakfast cereals or by using vitamin supplements.

It is very important to have a complete diet to make sure you get all the nutrients in the required quantity. This deficiency can be triggered by various causes. An incomplete diet can cause a vitamin deficiency, which has adverse effects on human health. But this is not an affliction exclusive to people following a vegetarian diet or an incomplete diet unsupported by vitamin supplements. This vitamin deficiency occurs in people having medical conditions associated with the digestive system that limits the intake of B12.

Impairment in the synthesis of the intrinsic factor, responsible for the selective absorption of B12, due to either a genetic defect or as a result of another illness causes this condition. Vitamin B12 is also a necessity for people who had undergone a surgery to either remove a part of the stomach or those taking medication that can affect the synthesis of intrinsic factor. B12 deficiency also affects those with an infestation of tapeworm or bacterial overgrowth in the digestive system.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Symptoms

Vitamin B12 deficiency cannot be classified as a disease in the real sense of the word. But when there isn’t enough B12 available, the body generally isn’t in the best of health. Vitamin B12 deficiency manifests itself in various ways. Mild deficiency usually does not have any easily recognizable symptoms and is more often ignored. Unlike other water-soluble vitamins, B12 isn’t easily lost from the body and therefore our body has substantial reserves of the vitamin. This means that a diet inadequate in this vitamin will only become apparent in the long run.

The initial recognizable symptom of this diseases is usually a psychological dysfunction that resembles the early stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is why this deficiency is often not recognized in aged people. Such symptoms include loss of balance, weakness, confusion and depression. These symptoms can mostly be removed through supplementing the diet with Vitamin B12.

The most well known disease resulting from Vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anaemia. Since B12 is involved in the manufacture of blood cells, a shortage of B12 causes a decrease in the number of red blood cells. Anaemia is usually recognized by a bright red, smooth tongue and pale skin. Anaemia can also have varied adverse effects on the body like tiredness, shortness of breath and palpitations. It is also known to cause loss of appetite, diarrhea and weight loss.

Vitamin B12 deficiency – Treatment

The presence of Vitamin B12 deficiency can be established by physical examination, blood tests and a review of the patient’s medical history. The medical history is important evidence since there are illnesses and surgeries that could be the cause of a vitamin deficiency. The presence of afore-mentioned symptoms will also aid the diagnosis of the patient’s condition. A deficiency can be confirmed by conducting blood tests to check the number and appearance of red blood cells. People having a vitamin B12 deficiency have a reduced red blood cell count and the red blood cells appear large and abnormal. Sometimes a bone marrow biopsy is conducted for further confirmation.

Obviously the way to treat the Vitamin B12 deficiency is to replace the missing Vitamin B12. This can be done by getting regular injections of Vitamin B12 or by consuming Vitamin B12 supplements. The duration and method of treatment depends on the severity and nature of the deficiency. Deficiency arising from an inability to absorb B12 is treated differently from that caused by an inadequate diet.

In people who have been following a vegetarian diet or an incomplete diet, taking vitamin supplements and a Vitamin B12 fortified diet can cure vitamin B12 deficiency. Taking vitamin pills to supplement your diet is quite inexpensive, efficient and safe. There are oral tablets available in different dosages under various brand names. The problem with oral tablets is that very little of the dosage is absorbed. If a person takes a dosage of 500micrograms of B12, only about 1.8 micrograms is actually absorbed. On an average, the human body requires about 2 micrograms of B12 everyday.

Therefore, it is best advised to take a sublingual tablet of 1000 microgram everyday and dissolve it under the tongue to supplement an incomplete diet. For people with an actual deficiency, a dosage of 2000 microgram per day for a month followed by 1000 microgram is prescribed. Different prescriptions include dosages of 1000microgram Cyanocobalamin, 1000microgram Methylcobalamin etc.

For people with medical conditions that prevent their body from absorbing enough vitamin B12, regular injections of vitamin B12 is required. B12 injections are also prescribed for aged people with vitamin deficiencies. People having severe deficiencies are given five to seven injections in the first week of treatment. This treatment takes quick effect within days with brisk replenishment of red blood cells. To keep the symptoms from reappearing, vitamin B12 injections are given once every month. The patient should also continue to take a diet fortified with the necessary nutrients for effective treatment. Usually cobalamin injections of 1-2 mg per day are used to correct the deficiency. The alternative to injections is available in the form of oral tablets of high dosage. Once the initial deficiency is corrected, the therapy can be continued by taking 1 mg injections of cobalamin once a month. People suffering from deficiencies due to bacterial overgrowth can treat it by using antibiotics like tetracycline.