Vitamin B12 Deficiency occurs when there isn’t enough of the vitamin in your body. It can be caused by a number of factors including lack of dietary intake, problems in the stomach or intestines, and certain medications.
Symptoms usually develop gradually and are wide-ranging, although some people have only one type of symptom, such as an unusual yellow tinge to their skin or a sore tongue. If you don’t get enough B12, your doctor will order blood tests to measure how much of the vitamin you have in your body.
Your healthcare professional will also look for other symptoms that may indicate a B12 deficiency. These can include changes in your mood, fatigue or loss of appetite. Your healthcare professional can also check for signs of anemia, which is a condition that causes the lack of red blood cells in your body.
Physical symptoms of a B12 deficiency can include weakness and tiredness, especially when you stand up. It can also make it difficult to walk or talk normally.
In most cases, B12 deficiency isn’t life-threatening. However, it can cause serious problems if not treated early.
The most common type of B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia, which is an autoimmune condition that reduces the ability of your body to absorb the vitamin from food. This happens because your immune system attacks the cells in your stomach that produce a substance called intrinsic factor that is needed to absorb vitamin B12.
Intrinsic factor and stomach acid are essential for absorbing vitamin B12 into the body. When they come together in your stomach, these substances mix and form a complex that allows the vitamin to be absorbed into your bloodstream.
This process begins in the lining of the stomach and continues as it moves into the first part of your small intestine, known as the duodenum. During this time, stomach acids break up the vitamin and saliva’s R-protein into smaller pieces, allowing it to be absorbed into your body.
Once in your body, your B12 moves through the rest of your intestine into your bloodstream. It’s then absorbed into your body’s cells where it can help maintain nerve cells and form healthy red blood cells.
Eventually, your B12 levels can become low enough to cause problems, particularly if you’ve had an operation to cut your stomach or a medical condition that affects your intestines. These conditions, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can interfere with the absorption of this vitamin.
Your healthcare professional will recommend treatment for your B12 deficiency. This can include oral supplements or injections. You’ll also need to take folic acid tablets to replace the vitamin folate that your body isn’t getting.
You may also need to take a daily multivitamin and minerals supplement that includes B12 and folic acid, as well as other nutrients. These vitamins will help you recover from your deficiency and prevent new problems from arising.
There are many different ways to treat a vitamin B12 deficiency, but it’s important to speak with your healthcare professional about what options are right for you. They can assess your risks and help you choose the best course of action for your health needs.
