Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body make red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. It's essential to how your body functions. Without treatment, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause physical, neurological and psychological problems.
Vitamin B12 is essential for good health, but some people may not be getting enough. WebMD tells you about symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency and how it can be treated.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia
Learn about the different factors that can lead to low levels of vitamin B12 or folate in your body, such as diet, stomach problems, medicines and conditions affecting the digestive system. Find out how these deficiencies can affect your red blood cells and cause anaemia.
Learn about the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency , such as lack of intrinsic factor, stomach removal, dietary deficiency or intestinal overgrowth. Find out how to diagnose and treat this condition that can lead to anemia and nerve damage.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Dietary vitamin B12 deficiency usually results from inadequate absorption, but deficiency can develop in vegans who do not take vitamin supplements. Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia, damage to the white matter of the spinal cord and brain, and peripheral neuropathy. Diagnosis is usually made by measuring serum vitamin B12 levels.
Learn about the causes of vitamin B12 deficiency , a condition that affects various bodily functions and can lead to anemia and nerve damage. Find out how to diagnose and treat B12 deficiency with diet, supplements, or injections.
What Can Cause a B12 Deficiency
Learn about the factors that can lead to low levels of vitamin B12 , such as pernicious anemia, age, intestinal disorders, medication, surgery, and vegan or vegetarian diet. Find out how to diagnose and treat B12 deficiency and prevent complications.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is rarely about one single cause . Most cases stem from poor intestinal absorption—most notably autoimmune pernicious anemia—followed by prolonged use of acid-suppressing drugs, strict vegan diets without supplements, gastric or bowel surgery, and inherited transport disorders. Once stores run low, blood levels fall quickly, leading to nerve damage and anemia if ...
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is available only in animal foods (meat and dairy products) or yeast extracts (such as brewer's yeast). Vitamin B12 deficiency is defined by low levels of stored B12 in the body that can result in anemia, a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms of other conditions, making diagnosis difficult. Most cases are due to low dietary intake or poor B12 absorption. Treatment usually involves vitamin B12 supplements.