Vitamin B12 deficiency, also known as B12 hypovitaminosis, is a medical condition that occurs when the body does not have adequate amounts of this essential vitamin for proper functioning.
Vitamin B12 plays a fundamental role in the human organism, participating in several vital functions, including the production of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system and cellular metabolism.
Symptoms Associated with B12 Deficiency
Symptoms of a lack of vitamin B12 can range from fatigue and weakness to serious neurological problems, such as swelling and soreness in hands and feet. If not treated, B12 deficiency can result in serious complications, including megaloblastic anemia and permanent damage to the nervous system.
Common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty breathing, paleness (especially in the hands and feet), loss of sensitivity in the extremities, swelling in the eyes, swelling, palpitations, ulcers in the mouth, loss of memory and loss of appetite.
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The main reason behind vitamin B12 insufficiency is the lack of adequate intake of this vitamin in the diet. Vitamin B12 is found mainly in foods of animal origin such as meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.
Therefore, people who follow vegetarian or vegan diets have a greater risk of developing this deficiency unless they take vitamin B12 supplements or consume foods enriched with the vitamin. Other causes include:
- Bariatric surgeries that reduce significant parts of the stomach, affecting vitamin absorption.
- Certain medications such as proton inhibitors, cholestyramine, H2 antihistamines, metformin, antibiotics and certain proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole and pantoprazole), which can impair vitamin absorption.
- Digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, which affect adequate absorption of vitamin B12.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
How to Detect Vitamin B12 Deficiency
In addition to consulting a doctor for a health evaluation, you can request tests to determine the presence of a vitamin B12 deficiency. Recommended tests include a complete blood count to evaluate the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, as well as their shape, size and color. Furthermore, biochemical analyzes can measure folate and vitamin B12 levels (also known as cyanocobalamin). Levels considered normal for vitamin B12 range from 200 to 800 pg/ml.
Treatment for B12 Deficiency
It is essential to diagnose and treat vitamin B12 insufficiency early to avoid long-term complications. Treatment generally involves the administration of oral or injectable vitamin B12 supplements, depending on the severity of the deficiency. Therefore, if you have any symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a specialized doctor to assess your health status. For children, seeking medical attention is even more important, as low levels of vitamin B12 can cause irreversible damage.
The main treatments include intramuscular injections of vitamin B12 (with a concentration of 100 mcg) in the form of hydroxocobalamin (especially for pernicious anemia), supplements and multivitamins, as well as dietary adjustments through the consumption of foods rich in vitamin B12, such as milk, beef cattle, eggs, queso, seafood, yogur, pollo, fish and yeast.
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