Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

What is Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a blood problem that occurs when have no enough of B12 vitamin in the body. Our body need Vitamin B12 to make red blood cells; without enough vitamin B12, the body does not produce enough red blood cells, and cells throughout the body do not get the oxygen they need.

Vitamin B12 not only helps your body to produce red blood cells, it also helps keep your nervous system healthy. Vitamin B12 is present in meat, eggs and dairy products, but it can also be found in some fortified cereals and soy products. Most people get more than enough of this vitamin from the food they eat. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia usually develops when the body cannot absorb this vitamin from food. It can also develop if a person's diet does not include enough of this vitamin. A vitamin B12 deficiency is rare in younger people, and is most common in people who are over 75 years of age.

What are causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?

• Pernicious anemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Not eating enough foods that contain vitamin B12.
• Inability of the small intestine to absorb vitamin B12. The stomach produces a substance called intrinsic factor to absorb vitamin B12 from food. Causes of a low production of intrinsic factor such as: Had surgery to remove part of the stomach or the last part of your small intestine, it increases your risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency anemia; Stomach cancer and ulcers can take up so much room in the stomach that there are too few cells left to produce intrinsic factor.
• Digestive disorder, such as sprue, Crohn's disease, bacteria growth in the small intestine, or a parasite.
• Chronic disorders such as liver or kidney disease, and alcoholism can lead to decreased levels of B12.

What are symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?
Mild vitamin B12 deficiency anemia have no symptoms or you may not notice them. Some people may think they are just the result of growing older. As the anemia gets worse, some signs and symptoms include:

• Tiredness and palpitations.
• Shortness of breath and dizziness (fainting).
• Red, sore tongue and mouth.
• Loss of taste and appetite with weight loss.
• Diarrhoea or constipation.

If the level of vitamin B12 stays low for a long time, it can damage your nerve cells. Some symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes.
• Poor balance and coordination.
• Forgetfulness.
• Depression.
• Confusion.

How is diagnosis of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?
You will also have blood tests and The blood sample is taken and sent off to laboratory. An analysis of the red blood cells is usually included with the result of the test.

• If vitamin B12 deficiency, the red blood cells will be the usual colour but larger than normal.
• If the blood test shows a low vitamin B12 count, it must be established whether it is pernicious anemia or other cause.
• Homocysteine test. The amount of these substances in the blood rises as the level of vitamin B12 decreases.
• The Schilling test measures the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the bowel. This will show whether the anaemia is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor.
• Blood tests will also confirm if you have any antibodies to intrinsic factor.

How is treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is treated with supplements of vitamin B12. When the level of vitamin B12 has returned to normal, your body will produce more red blood cells and the symptoms will go away. But if the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is poor absorption of the vitamin through the intestine, the people need to take supplements for the rest of their lives to prevent the condition from returning. Because If you stop taking the supplements, your B12 level will fall again.

Treatment is usually regular vitamin B12 injections. These are given every three months and will usually be continued throughout life. The injections have few side-effects. For many people, pills work just as well as shots. They also cost less and are easier to take.

Pernicious anemia requires lifelong vitamin B12 injections. People with anemia due to a lack of dietary vitamin B12 may be told to take vitamin supplements and follow a more balanced diet.

Another form of treatment is a vitamin B12 nasal spray (Nascobal). But the nasal spray costs more than shots or pills and is not commonly used.

You can take steps to improve your health by eating a varied diet that includes meat, milk, cheese, and eggs, they contain rich vitamin B12.

How is prevention of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?

• Eat a varied diet. Good sources of vitamin B12 are liver, fish and eggs.
• Vegans should take vitamin B12 supplements to avoid deficiency.
• If a family member has pernicious anaemia, you should take extra care to prevent deficiency.
• People who has undergone surgery in their small intestine or stomach should to get vitamin B12 shots or pills.