Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency

Vitamin B12 is essential for health, and when we don’t consume the appropriate amount of it, this will lead to adverse effects on health.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that the body needs to make new red blood cells and DNA, and it’s also essential for the health of the nerve cells.

Vitamin B12 deficiency could occur for anyone and at any age, and about 1.5-15% of people worldwide have it.

Causes and risk factors leading to vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when a person doesn’t consume enough vitamin B12 or the body doesn’t absorb it properly. Common causes include:

• Not having enough B12 from food, and it’s found in animal products, like eggs, meat, and dairy products.
• Digestive illnesses, such as gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease.
• Gastrointestinal surgeries, such as gastric bypass.
• Heavy alcohol consumption.
• Pernicious anemia.

Factors that increase the risk of cobalamin deficiency:

• Following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
• Certain medications, such as metformin, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine H2 blockers, and oral birth control pills.
• Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Being older than 75 years old.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes neurological, physical, and psychological symptoms:

• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
• Memory and focusing problems.
• Difficulties with walking and speaking.
• Vision issues.
• Tiredness and weakness.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Sores in the mouth or on the tongue.
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Pale skin.
• Depression.
• Irritation.
• Changes in feelings and behaviors.
• If not managed, severe B12 deficiency could lead to anemia, peripheral neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, degeneration of the spinal cord, paralysis, bowel incontinence, urinary incontinence, memory loss, paranoia, and delusions.

Diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.

Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency

• Vitamin B12 supplements.
• The risk of vitamin B12 deficiency can be reduced by eating foods that contain vitamin B12 (vegetarian and vegan people must get vitamin B12 from other sources), limiting alcohol consumption, and managing other health conditions, if any.