Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment 2015; 15(2): 145-150. Vitamin B12 Deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a complicated diagnosis. The reason why it is so important to correct a vitamin B12 deficiency is that a lack of this vitamin can lead to macrocytic anemia. Approach to the anemias. Vitamin B12deficiency may cause serious complications, such as bleeding, infections, and problems with your brain or nerves that may be permanent. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, a diet low in B12 could affect your baby., Surgery. Menstrual problems. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Treatment, including shots or supplements, can help you get healthy. Vitamin B12 is essential for good health, but some people may not be getting enough. An apple a Most adults only need 2.4 micrograms a day. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to defective RBCs. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; June 7, 2021. Pernicious anemia. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common, especially among vegetarians and older adults. All of these may require Vitamin B12 supplementation for quick correction. In the United States, vitamin B12deficiency anemia is most often due to other risk factors. Am Family Physician. (18). If you have pernicious anemia or another condition that doesnt go away, you may need shots or supplements forever. Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, Risks. Blocking stomach acid and other secretions may also block B Pavlov CS, Damulin IV, Shulpekova YO, Andreev EA. Low levels of vitamin B-12 can be caused by: Also known as vitamin B-9, folate is a nutrient found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables and liver. Some reports indicate that it can take as long as 3 years for a vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms to show up after a person switches to a vegan diet. Deficiency is more common in the elderly population because the ability to absorb B12 declines with age. How Long to Recover from Vitamin B12 Deficiency Advertising on our site helps support our mission. You have an inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohns or ulcerative colitis. The risk is also higher in the elderly and people who abuse alcohol. That includes conditions like Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease. You may not have any improvement during the first few months of treatment. World J Diabetes. The injection will help the vitamin absorb directly into your body. Some people need lifelong treatment. Because of this, their body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12, which causes a vitamin B12 deficiency. Policy. Ankar A, Kumar A. Vitamin B12 deficiency. This can result in tingling in the feet and hands, weakness in the limbs, and even loss of sensation. Wolffenbuttel BHR, Wouters HJCM, Heiner-Fokkema MR, van der Klauw MM. So you could be on the right track. Most standard B12 injections contain 1 milligram of vitamin B12, but you absorb only about 10 percent, or about 100 micrograms, of the vitamin. 3. Merck Manual Professional Version. Talk to your doctor if you have side effects such as a bad metallic taste, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach. Confusion or trouble communicating are common signs of dementia. Vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy; a rare diagnosis in young adults: a case report. It often takes three to six months to restore your iron levels. The Benefits vs. Side Effects of Vitamin D. How Can You Increase Your Red Blood Cells? They do not usually improve without treatment. But if you ignore your deficiency, here are some of the things that can happen. The good news is your body stores extra B12 in your liver. What Type of Cancer Causes Low Hemoglobin (Anemia)? For example, you might shake or get really stiff. You should start to notice improvements within 6 months to a year through the intake of supplements and vitamin B12 rich foods. If you are experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency or are at risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency, contact your healthcare provider to see if you should take a blood test to measure your vitamin B12 level. Youll need a little more if youre pregnant or breastfeeding. Some experts think its because your homocysteine levels go up when your B12 levels are too low. Peter Pressman, MD, is a board-certified neurologist developing new ways to diagnose and care for people with neurocognitive disorders. Certain drugs, including metformin and antacids, can lessen your bodys ability to take in B12. Researchers from Germany say that is it important to correct a vitamin B12 deficiency as early as possible. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. You may need long-term rehabilitation after treatment in order for your symptoms to improve. Ques: How Much B12 should we take a day and how long does it take to recover from Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Vitamin B12 Deficiency In critical cases of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, injections can quickly correct a lack of B12. This is why it can be difficult to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency. Other tests can be used to help confirm a diagnosis. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. It is often treated with cyanocobalamin, a man-made form of vitamin B12. Healthy and Natural World is supported by its audience. 2013;95(5):1033-40. doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2013.01.020. According to Harvard Health, a severe vitamin B12 deficiency can usually be corrected with either regular vitamin B12 shots or high-dose B12 pills or capsules. These cells carry oxygen through the body. Higher doses can cause unwanted side effects. If you stick to a strict vegan diet or a vegetarian diet, it can be a challenge to get adequate amounts of vitamin B12. Healthy and Abnormal Blood Levels in Adults, 200 or lower (although levels may be normal in some cases). Without these nutrients, the body produces red blood cells that are too large and don't work properly. Accessed Aug. 18, 2021. These include nerve conduction studies, which measure the speed of the electrical signals in your nerves. Yes, there are several medications that may interact with B12 and result in poor absorption. Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels. Pernicious anemia, a deficiency in the production of red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12, can cause permanent neurological damage that can lead to death if it is untreated. However, even though you absorb such a small amount, that's still almost 40 times more than the amount that you need for the entire day (which is 2.4 micrograms). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441923/. Vitamin B-12 At first, you'll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks or (8), It is important to address symptoms of a cobalamin deficiency as it can have serious consequences. But study results have been mixed and questionable on whether vitamin B-12 They usually have an odd shape, too. The best thing you can do is stick to the treatment plan your doctor or nutritionist has given you and try to stay patient through the process. (25), A similarly sized portion of beef kidney will give you 21 mcg of vitamin B12 which is 875% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 intramuscular injections (a shot that goes into the muscle). https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov. Vitamin To screen for vitamin B12deficiency anemia, your healthcare provider may order blood tests to see whether you have low hemoglobin or vitamin B12 levels. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness. Accessed Aug. 18, 2021. The amount of vitamin B12 babies and children need varies based on age. In these cases, it might be a good idea to continue taking a supplement, just in case. Inadequate B12 absorption can occur for a number of reasons. Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia - Treatment - NHS The National Institutes of Health reports that taking vitamin B12 is good if you have pernicious anemia, megaloblastic anemia, or absorption problems due to intrinsic factor. If your deficiency is on the milder side, an over-the-counter multivitamin or B complex supplement is usually enough to do the trick. Frequent infections. Every 1 in 10 Approximately 1.5% to 15% of people have vitamin B12 deficiency. (11), In some cases, doctors recommend B12 supplementation for people suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. Here are the percentages of people who have vitamin B12 deficiency based on age ranges: Vitamin B12 deficiency happens if you are not eating enough vitamin B12 or your body is not absorbing the vitamin B12 you consume properly. Some are mild while others are more serious.. If you have it, you dont make enough of a protein called intrinsic factor. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Megaloblasts are immature red blood cells that are larger than normal. It may take you a few years to notice any problems. General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Psychological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: It can be difficult to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency because symptoms are not always present or the symptoms can be similar to other nutritional deficiencies. A lack of folate can cause birth defects during pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who have vitamin B12deficiency may have developmental delays and birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. It is usually treated with supplemental B12. If you have a vitamin B-12 deficiency, taking a daily supplement that includes vitamin B-12 may help your body get the nutrients it needs. Do they really help? You may need to get a shot once a month for the rest of your life. J Gen Fam Med. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4953733/. Without enough vitamin B12, blood cells do not form properly inside your bone marrow, the sponge-like tissue within your bones. Also certain prescription drugs can affect your ability to absorb vitamin B12, including anti-ulcer drugs, antacids and Metformin a drug taken by diabetic patients. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an important micronutrient that is essential for DNA synthesis and providing your cells with energy. Dietary supplements. There are a number of reasons for having low B12 levels in your blood. High 2005-2023 WebMD LLC. If left untreated for a long time, B12 deficiency can lead to paralysis that doesnt go away. Doctors from the National Health Service say that a vitamin B12 deficiency anemia caused by B12 malabsorption can cause extreme tiredness. It usually takes a few months for most people to see an improvement, which is often gradual. In many cases, treatment can last weeks to months, but it's likely that you may experience some relief of symptoms even before your treatment is complete. (17), In one case, neurological symptoms were the only symptom for one adult who had lower than normal levels of vitamin B12. How much time it takes to recover It depends on how serious the nerve damage is. Before the vitamin B12 deficiency was reversed, the man experienced difficulty walking, lower limb weakness, and general fatigue. Some people do not get enough B12 in their diet. One of the most common signs that you may lack sufficient levels of vitamin B12 is extreme tiredness. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin deficiency, is common in older adults and vegetarians. Normal vitamin B12 levels are 160 to 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) or 118 to 701 picomoles per liter (pmol/L). Oral vitamin B12 replacement for the treatment of pernicious anemia. Your liver stores this nutrient for a long time. High levels of this amino acid are linked to brain issues and conditions like dementia and Alzheimers disease. A deficiency usually develops over an extended period of time, usually months to years. Vitamin B12 deficiency: recognition and management. BMC Res Notes. Most people have healthy levels of vitamin B12. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body keep your nerve cells and blood cells healthy. This is because many of the common symptoms overlap with those of other health conditions. What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency? Stomach cancer. This is an immune system disorder that affects cells in your stomach. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Inadequate B12 levels can suppress the immune system and inhibit the body's ability to produce antibodies to viral infections. Your doctor might recommend changing drugs or timing doses to offset any potential interactions. How Long Does It Take To Recover From Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency can be tricky because the symptoms are similar to other health conditions. Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency. You can get vitamin B12 deficiency if you cant absorb vitamin B12 due to problems with your gut or if you have pernicious anemia, which makes it difficult to absorb vitamin B12 from your intestines. But you might need them more often if you have more serious symptoms, like nerve problems, or your pernicious anemia is serious.