They also cost less and are easier to take. If you have been getting shots, ask your doctor if you can switch to pills. You can take steps at home to improve your health by eating a varied diet that includes meat, milk, cheese, and eggs, which are good sources of vitamin B Also, eat plenty of foods that contain folic acid, another type of B vitamin. These include leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and fortified breads and cereals. Most people who eat animal products like milk or cheese will not get this B12 deficiency anemia.
People who follow a vegan diet can prevent it by taking a daily vitamin pill or by eating foods that have been fortified with B Babies born to women who eat a vegan diet should be checked by a doctor to see whether they need extra vitamin B If you have pernicious anemia or another reason you cannot absorb enough vitamin B12, your doctor will give you vitamin B12 shots or pills to prevent deficiency. Current as of: September 23, Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E.
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Top of the page. Topic Overview What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia? This can happen if: You have pernicious anemia. In this anemia, your body destroys the cells in your stomach that help you absorb vitamin B You have had surgery to remove part of the stomach or the last part of your small intestine, called the ileum.
This includes some types of surgery used to help very overweight people lose weight. For example, iron deficiency anaemia happens when the body does not contain enough iron.
Vitamin B12 and folate perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of problems, including:. Some of these problems can also happen if you have a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate but do not have anaemia.
These conditions can often be diagnosed based on your symptoms and the results of a blood test. It's important for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
This is because although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible. There are a number of problems that can lead to a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Both vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency are more common in older people, affecting around 1 in 10 people aged 75 or over and 1 in 20 people aged 65 to Most cases of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.
Then, depending on whether your B12 deficiency is related to your diet, you'll either require B12 tablets between meals or regular injections. Summary: The damage caused by long-term, untreated B12 deficiency can affect your balance and cause changes to the way you walk and move. The inflammation can also make your tongue look smooth, as all the tiny bumps on your tongue that contain your taste buds stretch out and disappear. Studies have shown that a swollen and inflamed tongue that has long straight lesions on it could be an early sign of vitamin B12 deficiency 15 , Additionally, some people with a B12 deficiency may experience other oral symptoms, such as mouth ulcers, feelings of pins and needles in the tongue or a burning and itching sensation in the mouth 15 , Summary: An early sign of B12 deficiency may be a red and swollen tongue.
This condition is known as glossitis. If you become anemic due to a B12 deficiency, you may feel short of breath and a bit dizzy, especially when you exert yourself.
However, these symptoms can have many causes, so if you notice that you are unusually breathless, you should speak to your doctor to investigate the cause.
Summary: Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency can cause some people to feel breathless and dizzy. This occurs when the body is unable to transport enough oxygen to all its cells.
This can occur when an untreated B12 deficiency results in nervous system damage to the optic nerve that leads to your eyes The damage can disrupt the nervous signal that travels from your eye to your brain, impairing your vision. This condition is known as optic neuropathy. Although alarming, it is often reversible by supplementing with B12 19 , Summary: In rare cases, the nervous system damage caused by a B12 deficiency can affect the optic nerve.
This can result in blurred or disturbed vision. In fact, low levels of B12 have been linked to mood and brain disorders like depression and dementia 21 , This theory suggests that high levels of homocysteine caused by low levels of B12 could cause damage to the brain tissue and interfere with signals to and from your brain, leading to mood changes.
Some studies suggest that in certain people who are deficient in B12, supplementing with the vitamin can reverse symptoms 26 , 27 , Thus, the effects of supplementing in these conditions remain unclear 29 , If you have a deficiency, taking a supplement may help improve your mood. Summary: Some people with B12 may show signs of a depressed mood or conditions characterized by a decline in brain function, such as dementia.
Summary: On very rare occasions, one symptom of B12 deficiency may be a high temperature. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common and can present itself in various ways, making it difficult to identify. For most people, a B12 deficiency should be easy to prevent simply by ensuring you are getting enough B12 in your diet.
Vitamin B12 plays many crucial roles in your body, and some think that taking megadoses of this nutrient is best for their health. This article…. Some experts claim that vitamin B12 injections can help with energy levels, brain function and weight loss. This article reviews the science.
Vitamin B12 shots and supplements are popular among those looking to fight fatigue, boost their energy levels, and even lose weight. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause various symptoms, and you may wonder whether weight gain is among them. This article reviews whether a vitamin B12….
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