Vitamin B12 Deficiency
A condition characterized by low levels of vitamin B12.
How long does it take to develop low B12 levels?
Sep 15, 2008 · Desensitization, antihistamines, and steroids have been tried with success. 17, 18 Depot injections, especially with hydroxocobalamin, sometimes induce autoantibody complexes with transcobalamin II and high cobalamin levels but no obvious clinical consequences.
What foods increase B12 levels?
Dec 14, 2021 · You can change your diet to include vitamin B12-fortified grains, a supplement or B12 injections, or a high-dose oral vitamin B12 if you are …
What is a dangerous low level of B12?
treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency if B12 levels are particularly low then intramuscular B12 should be given and a haematology referral made (1) treatment... treatment of pernicious anaemia and other macrocytic anaemias with neurological involvement - five to six loading doses... if B12 levels are ...
Are low vitamin B12 levels wreaking havoc with your health?
Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia and folate deficiency anemia often occur together and can be hard to tell apart. Treatment may include vitamin B 12 shots (injections) and folic acid pills. Foods that are rich in folic acid include the following: Orange juice Oranges Romaine lettuce Spinach Liver Rice Barley Sprouts Wheat germ Soy beans
What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?
How to Raise Your B12 Levels Fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.Oct 30, 2020
Can low B12 be serious?
If left untreated, the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency tend to worsen and irreversible problems involving the nerves and brain may develop. The risk of experiencing a number of serious complications, including heart failure, may also increase.Mar 14, 2022
How long does it take to correct a B12 deficiency?
Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time. You may not have any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months.Nov 4, 2021
What happens if you B12 is low?
B12 deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, and pain and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. Many of the symptoms caused by low B12 levels are not specific to B12 deficiency, which can cause the condition to go undetected.
How can I raise my B12 levels fast?
But increasing your vitamin B12 levels is a key thing you can do....To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as:Beef, liver, and chicken.Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.Fortified breakfast cereal.Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.Eggs.Dec 16, 2020
What is the most common cause of B12 deficiency?
Low levels of vitamin B-12 can be caused by: Diet. Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in meat, eggs and milk, so people who don't eat these types of foods may need to take B-12 supplements. Some foods have been fortified with B-12, including some breakfast cereals and some nutritional yeast products.Jan 18, 2022
What is the name of B12 injections?
Cyanocobalamin, Vitamin B12 injection.
How to treat vitamin B12 deficiency?
Most people can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
What foods contain B12?
meat. salmon and cod. milk and other dairy products. eggs. If you're a vegetarian or vegan, or are looking for alternatives to meat and dairy products, there are other foods that contain vitamin B12, such as yeast extract ( including Marmite), as well as some fortified breakfast cereals and soy products.
Can you take folic acid for life?
But if the underlying cause of your folate deficiency anaemia continues, you may have to take folic acid tablets for longer, possibly for life. Before you start taking folic acid, your GP will check your vitamin B12 levels to make sure they're normal.
Can you stop taking B12?
Although it's less common, people with vitamin B12 deficiency caused by a prolonged poor diet may be advised to stop taking the tablets once their vitamin B12 levels have returned to normal and their diet has improved. Good sources of vitamin B12 include: meat. salmon and cod. milk and other dairy products.
Can vitamin B12 be given to a GP?
Your GP or nurse will give the injections. After this initial period, your treatment will depend on whether the cause of your vitamin B12 deficiency is related to your diet or whether the deficiency is causing any neurological problems, such as problems with thinking, memory and behaviour. The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in ...
Do you need to monitor for vitamin B12?
Most people who have had a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency will not need further monitoring unless their symptoms return or their treatment is ineffective. If your GP feels it's necessary, you may have to return for an annual blood test to see whether your condition has returned. Page last reviewed: 23 May 2019.
Can you get cyanocobalamin injections on the NHS?
Cyanocobalamin injections are not routinely available on the NHS as hydroxocobalamin is the preferred treatment. But if you need replacement tablets of vitamin B12, these will usually be in the form of cyanocobalamin.
Why do we need to take vitamin B12?
And you should do that on a regular basis, because your body doesn't store vitamin B12 for a long time .
Why is it so hard to absorb B12?
Pernicious anemia, which makes it hard for your body to absorb vitamin B12. Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite. Alcohol misuse or heavy drinking can make it harder for your body to absorb nutrients or prevent you from eating enough calories.
What animal sources are B12?
Animal sources include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry. If you're looking for a food fortified with B12, check the product's Nutrition Facts label.
Does B12 make your body healthy?
Vitamin B12 does a lot of things for your body. It helps make your DNA and your red blood cells, for example. Since your body doesn't make vitamin B12 , you have to get it from animal-based foods or from supplements. And you should do that on a regular basis, ...
Can vitamin B12 cause anemia?
If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you could become anemic. A mild deficiency may cause no symptoms. But if untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as: Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Pale skin.
How to treat vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B 12 deficiency can be treated with intramuscular injections of cyanocobalamin or oral vitamin B 12 therapy. Approximately 10% of the standard injectable dose of 1 mg is absorbed, which allows for rapid replacement in patients with severe deficiency or severe neurologic sy mptoms. 2 Guidelines from the British Society for Haematology recommend injections three times per week for two weeks in patients without neurologic deficits. 18 If neurologic deficits are present, injections should be given every other day for up to three weeks or until no further improvement is noted. Table 4 lists the usual times until improvement for abnormalities associated with vitamin B 12 deficiency. 27 In general, patients with an irreversible cause should be treated indefinitely, whereas those with a reversible cause should be treated until the deficiency is corrected and symptoms resolve. 1 If vitamin B 12 deficiency coexists with folate deficiency, vitamin B 12 should be replaced first to prevent subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. 1 The British Society for Haematology does not recommend retesting vitamin B 12 levels after treatment has been initiated, and no guidelines address the optimal interval for screening high-risk patients. 18
What is the role of B12 in DNA synthesis?
Vitamin B 12 is crucial for neurologic function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis, and is a cofactor for three major reactions: the conversion of methylmalonic acid to succinyl coenzyme A; the conversion of homocysteine to methionine; and the conversion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate. 1, 2. Enlarge Print.
Is vitamin B12 deficiency a risk factor?
Vitamin B 12 deficiency is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia, various neuropsychiatric symptoms, and other clinical manifestations. Screening average-risk adults for vitamin B 12 deficiency is not recommended. Screening may be warranted in patients with one or more risk factors, such as gastric or small intestine resections, ...
Is vitamin B12 screening recommended?
References. Screening persons at average risk of vitamin B 12 deficiency is not recommended. 17 Screening should be considered in patients with risk factors, and diagnostic testing should be considered in those with suspected clinical manifestations. 1, 2, 6, 18.
Does vitamin B12 help with hyperhomocysteinemia?
Vitamin B 12 deficiency is a much more common cause of hyperhomocysteinemia in developed countries than folate deficiency because of widespread fortification of food with folate. Although epidemiologic studies have shown an association between vascular disease and hyperhomocysteinemia, large randomized controlled trials have shown that lowering homocysteine levels in these patients does not reduce the number of myocardial infarctions or strokes, or improve mortality rates. 32 Similarly, an association between elevated homocysteine levels and cognitive impairment has been noted, but subsequent vitamin B 12 replacement does not have preventive or therapeutic benefit. 33
How to treat folate deficiency anemia?
Folate deficiency anemia treatment. Treatment involves eating a healthy diet and taking folic acid supplements as prescribed by your doctor. In most cases, folic acid supplements are taken orally. Once your body's level of folate increases to normal, you may be able to stop taking the supplements. But if the cause of your folate deficiency can't be ...
How to treat anemia related to vitamin C deficiency?
Treatment for anemia related to vitamin C deficiency is with vitamin C tablets. Additionally, you increase your intake of foods and beverages that contain vitamin C.
What test can be performed to determine if you have vitamin deficiency?
If blood tests reveal a vitamin deficiency, your doctor may perform other tests to determine the type and cause, such as: Antibodies test. Your doctor may draw a sample of your blood to check for antibodies to intrinsic factor. Their presence indicates pernicious anemia. Methylmalonic acid test.
Why do people with anemia have fewer red blood cells than normal?
People with anemia have fewer red blood cells than normal. In vitamin deficiency anemias related to a lack of vitamin B-12 and folate, the red blood cells appear large and underdeveloped. In advanced deficiencies, the numbers of white blood cells and platelets also might be decreased and look abnormal under a microscope.
Why is methyl B12 needed?
Methyl B12 is needed as a co-factor to convert homocysteine back into methionine. If you have normal B12 values, but high homocysteine levels, this may point to a deficiency or problem utilizing methyl B12. High homocysteine levels can also be the result of low B6, folate, renal failure or hypothyroidism.
What is the recommended B12 level for older adults?
For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml.”. The tragedy is with people who are symptomatic but are in the low range of vitamin B12 normal levels, between 200-500. This is a grey zone, and even though these folks show clinical signs ...
What does B12 do to your body?
B12 helps converting methylmalonyl CoA, one of the forms of MMA, into succinyl Coenzyme A. When you’re deficient in B12, MMA levels increase in both your blood and urine. You may be able to find MMA tests in private labs. If you can’t find one, you can order a urinary MMA test from Dr. Eric Norman (founder of the test).
What is the normal B12 level?
Well, normal values of vitamin B12 are considered, in most countries, to be between around 200 to 900 pg/ml. However, as mentioned, many people show symptoms within that range. Therefore, we would like to suggest Sally Pacholok’s recommended vitamin B12 range: B12 Status. B12 Levels (pg/ml) Normal. 550 or higher.
What is the best vitamin for iron storage?
By the way, we also recommend to test for folate (vitamin B9), ferritin (iron storage), and have a full blood count. This is because B12 and folate need each other, and optimal levels of iron are just as important as optimal B12 levels.
What percentage of B12 is inactive?
Inactive analogues of B12 (transcobalamin I and III) may represent as much as 80% of your blood levels. If a significant amount of your B12 is inactive, a test may show that you have normal B12 levels. Your body can’t easily access these forms. The blood test doesn’t record what’s happening at the cellular level.
What is the best test for B12?
Holotranscobalamin (HoloTC) Another useful test is the holotranscobalamin (HoloTC) test, which only records the active forms of B12 in the blood. Available at Viapath. This test should be a first-line diagnostic tool, and low levels may indicate B12 depletion at the cellular level.
Can you take iron with thyroid medication?
Iron impairs the absorption of thyroid hormone, so always take iron as far away as possible from when you take your thyroid medication. - Extremely low levels may require IV iron infusions. This will depend on the cause of the low ferritin, which should always be investigated.
Does low iron affect thyroid function?
Many studies have shown that low iron impairs proper thyroid function . That makes sense when you think about how so many of the symptoms of low iron/ferritin are the same as the symptoms caused by low thyroid – fatigue, hair loss, etc. Replacing low iron levels should result in an improvement in your thyroid function.
Prognosis
Contraindications
Prevention
- Screening persons at average risk of vitamin B12 deficiency is not recommended.17 Screening should be considered in patients with risk factors, and diagnostic testing should be considered in those with suspected clinical manifestations.1,2,6,18
Diagnosis
- The recommended laboratory evaluation for patients with suspected vitamin B12 deficiency includes a complete blood count and serum vitamin B12 level.2,1921 A level of less than 150 pg per mL (111 pmol per L) is diagnostic for deficiency.1,2 Serum vitamin B12 levels may be artificially elevated in patients with alcoholism, liver disease, or cancer because of decreased he…
Classification
- Pernicious anemia refers to one of the hematologic manifestations of chronic auto-immune gastritis, in which the immune system targets the parietal cells of the stomach or intrinsic factor itself, leading to decreased absorption of vitamin B12.1 Asymptomatic autoimmune gastritis likely precedes gastric atrophy by 10 to 20 years, followed by the onset of iron-deficiency anemia that …
Treatment
- Vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated with intramuscular injections of cyanocobalamin or oral vitamin B12 therapy. Approximately 10% of the standard injectable dose of 1 mg is absorbed, which allows for rapid replacement in patients with severe deficiency or severe neurologic sy mptoms.2 Guidelines from the British Society for Haematology recommend...
Medical uses
- A 2005 Cochrane review involving 108 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency found that high-dose oral replacement (1 mg to 2 mg per day) was as effective as parenteral administration for correcting anemia and neurologic symptoms.28 However, oral therapy does not improve serum methylmalonic acid levels as well as intramuscular therapy, although the clinical relevance is un…
Epidemiology
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is a much more common cause of hyperhomocysteinemia in developed countries than folate deficiency because of widespread fortification of food with folate. Although epidemiologic studies have shown an association between vascular disease and hyperhomocysteinemia, large randomized controlled trials have shown that lowering homocyste…