Live Life Team
Vitamin B12 is responsible for production of red cells in blood. The health of the nervous system very much depends on the red blood cell count. It releases energy by absorbing folic acid. Ample amount of B12 is available in dairy products and fish. The body system is capable of storing it, and liver is the major source of storage of B12. The deficiency of B12 does not occur at once, but it takes years together. The stomach lining produces intrinsic factor, which combines with B12 for absorption into the system.
What are the exact causes of B12 deficiency
The autoimmune disease causes pernicious anaemia and causes production of antibodies. These antibodies prevent production of intrinsic factor by damaging the cells responsible for this production. The deficiency occurs when the stomach is incapable of producing the intrinsic factor due to pernicious anaemia. It can also occur if the intestine is weak to absorb B12, or if the intestine becomes too small due to surgical treatment. One of the obvious causes is that the intake does not contain sufficient amount of B12. It is important to know that vegetable foods lack this vitamin.
What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency
B12 enables multiplication of body cells. Deficiency of B12 affects red blood cells and this leads to anaemic conditions. In a minute, millions of cells are produced in the system. Therefore, it affects drastically the condition of the blood. The common symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath. However, the symptoms may also include weight loss, pale or yellowish skin, weak resistance to infections, menstrual problems, sore tongue and diarrhoea occasionally. A chronic deficiency may lead to symptoms like mental instability, weak muscles and burning itches in the fingers/toes.
How this deficiency is diagnosed
The doctor checks pulse and skin colour during physical examination. The doctor orders for blood test to know about the Red Blood Cell count. This test reveals the appearance of the cells too. The anaemic patients have large red blood cells. The doctor comes to know about the level of B12 through the lab tests. Occasionally, the doctor checks for the level of intrinsic factor antibodies too, to conclude on pernicious anaemia. Very rarely, the doctor orders for a biopsy of bone marrow for an accurate diagnosis.
Can this deficiency be treated
The B12 deficiency is treatable. The physicians prescribe intra muscular injections containing hydroxocobalamin once in two days or four days, depending on the requirement. A course of six injections will do for adequate build up of Vitamin B12 in the system. With this treatment, improvement is quick. However, follow up treatments are necessary to assess the extent of recovery. To avoid recurrence of this deficiency, getting B12 injection once in three months is advisable.
Can this deficiency be prevented
Vegetable foods lack vitamin B12. Therefore, pure vegetarians can get rid of this deficiency by consuming cereals reinforced with B12 and through intake of mineral supplements even in their breakfast. However, a balanced diet programmed with dairy foods, fish and meat will certainly enable sufficient build up of B12 in the body.
