The right amount of vitamin B12 is essential for normal body functioning. This must be observed at all times because too little of this nutrient in the body can result to deficiency, which can cause serious threats to the health. I will introduce you to various facts that you have to know about vitamin B12 deficiency with special emphasis on its symptoms.
The Benefits of Vitamin B12
B12 is a water soluble vitamin present in most foods naturally. The main sources of this nutrient are animal products including meat, fish, poultry, milk, eggs, and other dairy products. B12 can also be sourced from fortified foods, supplements, and prescription medications. Some of the most noted benefits of vitamin B12 to the health are:
- DNA synthesis
- proper neurological function
- efficient red blood cell formation
- healthy cell multiplication
The Deficiency and Common Symptoms
Deficiency occurs when there is not enough vitamin B12 supplied to the body. This can also be caused by other factors such as postsurgical malabsorption, pernicious anemia, and malabsorption from food. Here is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for this vitamin.
The RDA must be followed all the time because not meeting this can mean deficiency. Some of the symptoms in line with vitamin B12 deficiency are:
- Megaloblastic anemia
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Soreness of tongue and mouth
- Neurological changes (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet)
- Poor memory
- Dementia
- Depression
- Confusion
- Difficulty maintaining balance
Infants can experience a different set of symptoms, which include the following:
- failure to thrive
- megaloblastic anemia
- developmental delays
- movement disorders
Both adults and infants can experience subtle symptoms during the first few years of the deficiency. However, as years pass, the signs will become more and more noticeable. More often than not, the symptoms can be confused with vitamin D deficiency symptoms because they can bring in almost the same kind of symptoms.
The Deficiency and Those Who Are At Risk
Some groups of people are more at risk of getting vitamin B12 deficiency as compared to other people. They are as follows:
- Older adults. A lot of older adults experience atrophic gastritis, which is a condition involving the decrease in the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This condition can result to a reduced absorption rate of vitamin B12 in the stomach. Moreover, this condition promotes normal intestinal bacteria growth in the stomach. These bacteria use vitamin B12 in the process, which means less vitamin B12 is left for the body to consume.
- People with pernicious anemia. This condition can make the person incapable of absorbing vitamin B12 in the gastrointestinal tracts.
- People with gastrointestinal disorders. Crohn’s disease and celiac disease, together with other stomach and intestine problems, can make the body incapable of absorbing enough vitamin B12 from foods.
- People who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery. This kind of surgery can promote loss of cells secreting hydrochloric acid. This instance decreases the amount of vitamin B12 the body gets from food.
- Vegetarians. Most natural sources of vitamin B12 are animal products. This only means that vegetarians have a limited dietary intake of vitamin B12 from foods.
- Pregnant and lactating women and also their infants. If a pregnant or lactating woman takes insufficient vitamin B12, she and her baby can suffer from deficiency.
How to Diagnose Vitamin B12 Deficiency
If you experience symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, it does not always mean you are suffering from the condition. It is best to get the help of a general practitioner to properly diagnose your condition through several methods. One of the means to diagnose B12 deficiency is a blood test. This determines the red blood cell count as well as the shape of the red blood cells. Another test that can help diagnose the condition is a bone marrow biopsy. This checks for red blood cell abnormalities as well as anemia.
When the deficiency is detected and confirmed, various treatment options can be recommended. The most common of all treatments is the hydroxocobalamin injection, which is a liquid vitamin B12 that needs to be injected every two to four days. After six injections, you can already have enough of the nutrient in your body. Another easy treatment option is the intake of oral vitamin B12 in high dosages.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a condition that must not be taken for granted. Therefore, be aware of the right amounts of B12 the body needs in a day to help you avoid getting into this situation.