Vitamin B-12 deficiency means that someone has a low red blood cell count. It is caused by insufficient quantities of this vitamin in the body. It is a form of anemia.
Causes of B-12 Deficiency
A main reason is that the digestive system isn’t absorbing sufficient vitamin B-12. What causes the lack of absorption?
Using ulcer and heartburn medication for extended periods of time
Suffering from pernicious anemia—means the body annihilates the stomach cells that absorb B-12
Surgery that removed some of the stomach or small intestine
Parasites
Bacteria growing in small intestines
Not eating enough vitamin B-12 rich foods
Chron’s disease
Fish tape worm infection
Chronic alcoholism
A vegan diet
Symptoms of B-12 Deficiency
Sometimes the symptoms are slight and not easily detected. A person might think the B-12 deficiency symptoms are just signs of aging. When the symptoms become more obvious these signs are observable.
Weakness, lightheaded, tired
Pallor
Constipation or diarrhea
Weight loss
Nausea
Lack of appetite
Skin pale
Depression
Tongue and mouth sore
Numbness in hands and feet and tingling
Breath short
Balance off
Diagnosing B-12 Deficiency
A doctor can take several tests to diagnose B-12 deficiency. First, the physical exam might reveal reflex problems or he may observe a positive Babinski reflex, which is the big toe flexing towards the foots top, while the remaining toes stretch out like a fan. The doctor will firmly stroke the foot’s bottom to observe the response.
The doctor can perform a serum LHD test, which determines how many lactic acid dehydrogenase is in the blood. He can also do a serum vitamin B-12 . He might do a bone marrow biopsy. The bone marrow generates red blood cells. The Schilling test can be used to determine how efficiently the body absorbs B-12. A deficiency in folic acid can induce some symptoms caused by a lack of B-12. The blood test can determine, which is deficient.
Prevention of B-12 Anemia
A healthy diet of vitamin B-12 foods can prevent anemia. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements these foods have the highest vitamin B-12 content.
Clams, mollusks
Liver, beef
Rainbow trout
Salmon
Vegans need to take a B-12 supplement and a baby born of a vegan mother should be tested to see, if it has enough B-12.
Treating B-12 Deficiency
The doctor can determine, if B-12 shots are needed. People who can’t absorb B-12 through their stomach and small intestine can take B-12 shots. Those that have had surgery that interferes with absorption are given the shots too. Diagnosing and treating the anemia early on can stop the problem from becoming severe.
The treatment is normally a shot each day for a week, next, weekly for 4 weeks and a shot per month. The vitamin tablets may be enough, as they relieve anemia for many people. The majority of people that develop anemia need supplementation for the remainder of their life.
