Article Link: http://www.webmd.

com/a-to-z-guides/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia-topic-overview

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

Topic Overview
What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?
Having vitamin B12 deficiency means that your body does not have enough of this
vitamin. You need B12 to make red blood cells
, which carry oxygen through your
body. Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not
have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and
tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory
and thinking.

What causes vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Most people get more than enough B12 from eating meat, eggs, milk,
and cheese. Normally, the vitamin is absorbed by your digestive
system-your stomach and intestines. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia usually happens
when the digestive system is not able to absorb the vitamin. This can happen if:

You have pernicious anemia. In this anemia, your body destroys the cells in your

stomach that help you absorb vitamin B12.

You have had surgery to remove part of the stomach or the last part of your small

intestine, called theileum

. This includes some types of surgery used to help
very overweight people lose weight.
You have problems with the way your body digests food, such as sprue (also
called celiac disease),Crohn's disease, bacteria growth in the small intestine, or
a parasite.
This anemia can also happen if you don't eat enough foods with B12, but this is rare.
People who eat a vegandiet and older adults who don't eat a variety of foods may need
to take a daily vitamin pill to get enough B12. Other causes include drinking alcohol and
taking some prescription and nonprescription medicines.

What is the recommended daily amount of vitamin B12?

The amount of vitamin B12 you need depends on your age.

Daily recommended B12:1

Age (years)

Daily amount of B12 (micrograms)

1-3

0.9 mcg

4-8

1.2 mcg

9-13

1.8 mcg

14 and older

2.4 mcg

Pregnant women

2.6 mcg

Breast-feeding women

2.8 mcg

What foods contain B12?

Vitamin B12 is found in foods from animals, such as meat, seafood, milk products,
poultry, and eggs. It is not in foods from plants unless it has been added to the food
(fortified). Some foods, like cereals, are fortified with vitamin B12.
Supplements containing only B12, or B12 along with other B vitamins and/or folate, are
readily available. Also, B12 is usually in multivitamins. Check the label to find out how
much B12 is in a supplement.
Estimates of B12 in certain foods2
Serving size

B12 amount
(microgram)

Beef liver

3 ounces

71 mcg

Clams

3 ounces

84 mcg

Cereal fortified with 100% daily

value for B12

1 serving

6 mcg

Rainbow trout

3 ounces

3 mcg

Nonfat plain yogurt

8 ounces

1 mcg

1 egg

mcg

breast

mcg

Food

Large egg
Chicken breast

What are the symptoms?

If your vitamin B12 deficiency is mild, you may not have symptoms or you may not
notice them. Some people may think they are just the result of growing older. As the
anemia gets worse, you may:

Feel weak, tired, and lightheaded.

Have pale skin.
Have a sore, red tongue or bleeding gums.
Feel sick to your stomach and lose weight.
Have diarrhea or constipation.
If the level of vitamin B12 stays low for a long time, it can damage your nerve cells. If
this happens, you may have:

Numbness or tingling in your fingers and toes.

A poor sense of balance.
Depression.
Dementia, a loss of mental abilities.

How is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your past health and how you are
feeling now. You will also have blood tests to check the number of red blood cells and to
see if your body has enough vitamin B12.
The level of folic acid, another B vitamin, will be checked too. Some people whose
vitamin B12 levels are too low also have low levels of folic acid. The two problems can
cause similar symptoms. But they are treated differently.

How is it treated?
Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is treated with supplements of vitamin B12.
Taking supplements brings your level of vitamin B12 back to normal, so you do not have
symptoms. To keep your level of vitamin B12 normal, you will probably need to take
supplements for the rest of your life. If you stop taking them, you'll get anemia again.
Your vitamin B12 supplements might be pills or shots. If you use shots, you can learn to
give them to yourself at home. For many people, pills work just as well as shots. They
also cost less and are easier to take. If you have been getting shots, ask your doctor if

you can switch to pills. Another form of treatment is a vitamin B12 nasal spray (such as
Nascobal).
You can take steps at home to improve your health by eating a varied diet that includes
meat, milk, cheese, and eggs, which are good sources of vitamin B12. Also, eat plenty
of foods that contain folic acid, another type of B vitamin. These include leafy green
vegetables, citrus fruits, and fortified breads and cereals.

Can vitamin B12 deficiency anemia be prevented?

Most people can prevent this anemia by including animal products like milk, cheese,
and eggs in their diets. People who follow a vegan diet can prevent it by taking a daily
vitamin pill or by eating foods that have been fortified with B12.
Babies born to women who eat a vegan diet should be checked by a doctor to see
whether they need extra vitamin B12.
If you have a high risk of getting this type of anemia, your doctor can give you vitamin
B12 shots or pills to prevent it.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated: 2/, 014
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims
any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
1995-2015 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health
decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY ANEMIA TOPICS