B12 deficiency anemia – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Vitamin B12 deficiency: symptoms, treatment methods

In fact, most serious vitamin or mineral deficiencies are rarely caused by dietary restrictions. Most often, such pathological conditions are explained by impaired absorption of certain substances or the presence of certain diseases. A slight lack of vitamin and mineral elements may have virtually no effect, and people often live with such a disorder for years without even knowing about it. However, it is simply impossible not to notice a serious shortage of these particles. Let's talk on the www.site about how vitamin B12 deficiency manifests itself, consider the symptoms of this pathological condition and its treatment.

Most often, a lack of vitamin B12 is due to insufficient absorption; in addition, such a deficiency can develop in vegetarians who do not take vitamin supplements. This pathological condition causes megaloblastic anemia, causes damage to the white matter of both the brain and spinal cord, and also provokes peripheral neutropathy.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

Unfortunately, vitamin B12 deficiency has virtually no effect. Such hidden development is quite insidious, since it allows the formation of serious physiological disorders.

Pathological processes with such a deficiency can make themselves felt by a noticeable decrease in performance, as well as a constant or periodic feeling of weakness. Many patients experience dizziness and may even develop fainting conditions. A lack of vitamin B12 often causes tinnitus, and many patients also complain of spots flashing before their eyes. This disorder is also accompanied by shortness of breath (rapid breathing) and palpitations; these symptoms appear even with minor physical exertion. Sometimes vitamin B12 deficiency leads to stabbing pain in the chest area.

Pathological processes in this condition often cause weight loss. Patients are concerned about the appearance of nausea, sometimes turning into vomiting, and they may also experience constipation. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a noticeable decrease in appetite. A frequent manifestation of such a deficiency is considered to be a burning sensation in the tongue, which is considered as a manifestation of Gunther's glossitis. The color of the tongue changes to bright red or crimson, it becomes as if varnished (its surface looks smoothed).

Also, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause numbness and discomfort in the limbs. Patients often complain of a feeling of stiffness in their legs, and their gait may become unsteady. Such a deficiency also manifests itself as muscle weakness, and in particularly serious situations it leads to damage to the spinal cord or brain. Such disorders are manifested by loss of vibration sensitivity in the legs, as well as cramps - occasional rare muscle contractions.

Sometimes vitamin B12 deficiency leads to decreased mood and increased irritability; a number of patients experience impaired perception of yellow and blue colors due to brain damage.

About how vitamin B12 deficiency is corrected, what treatment will help?

To compensate for the lack of vitamin B12, it is practiced to administer this vitamin intramuscularly in a volume of two hundred to five hundred micrograms per day. After such therapy provides a lasting improvement, the patient is advised to administer intramuscular maintenance doses - one hundred to two hundred micrograms once a month for several years. If vitamin B12 deficiency has caused damage to the nervous system, its volume should be increased to a thousand micrograms per day for three days, and then go back to the usual regimen of therapy.

To actively replenish the number of red blood cells, the patient is given a transfusion of red blood cells, the so-called red blood cells isolated from donor blood. However, it is worth considering that such administration is carried out only for health reasons, in other words, if the patient’s life is at risk. This situation is possible with an anemic coma or with severe anemia (decrease in hemoglobin below 70 g/l).

Foods containing significant amounts of vitamin B12

When treating B12 deficiency, it is extremely important to saturate your diet with foods that contain this element. This vitamin is found in animal products. Most of it is present in liver (especially beef). This element is also found in mackerel, sardines, and rabbit meat. There is slightly less of it in beef, pork and lamb. Some vitamin B12 is also present in cod, carp, Dutch cheese, eggs and sour cream.

To prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, it is extremely important to eat properly and undergo periodic blood tests to detect anemia in a timely manner.

Vitamin B 12 has a positive effect on metabolic processes and improves blood composition, promoting the production of red blood cells and reducing cholesterol levels.

The average daily requirement for this substance is 3 mcg. For people, as well as for, this dose will be four times higher.

A lot depends on the level of vitamin B12: skin health, blood condition, and normal functioning of the nervous system. In medical practice, vitamin B 12 is called cobalamin.

The cause of vitamin B 12 deficiency is related to many factors. Some of them depend on external circumstances. This means that the deficiency of this substance may indicate the presence of certain diseases. This condition is typical for:

pernicious anemia, which is manifested by pain in the stomach, insufficient formation of gastric juice;
atrophic gastritis, the disease affects the mucous tissue of the stomach;
Crohn's disease, celiac disease - all these ailments are associated with the gastrointestinal tract;
Graves' disease and lupus.

Reduce the supply of vitamin B 12 in the body may take certain medications for a long time, in particular contraceptives, as well as drugs for tuberculosis. Lovers of a drink such as coffee have a reduced content of B vitamins. Excessive alcohol consumption leads to the same problem.

Cobalamin deficiency is inherent in vegetarians; the absence of meat in the diet leads to a lack of the substance. Plant foods will not be able to fill this gap. Insufficient consumption of dairy products leads to the same problem.

Important: Each person by nature has a certain supply of vitamins, which is enough for a period of five years. Therefore, a lack of cobalamin may not be detected immediately.

Symptoms

If there is not enough cobalamin in the body, this affects the general condition of the person. Signs of illness can be divided into several main groups.

People with low levels of this substance have the following symptoms:

General weakness. Insufficient energy metabolism leads to increased fatigue. Vitamin B12 is responsible for supplying the body with oxygen; if it is lacking, a person becomes lethargic and lacks energy.

Neurological problems. A lack of cobalamin leads to impaired coordination of movements, and a person may periodically experience memory gaps. The appearance of such an ailment as destruction of the spinal cord cannot be ruled out. Frequent nervous breakdowns and depression are possible.

Blood pressure problems. Anemia that accompanies a lack of cobalamin leads to low blood pressure. If such a symptom appears, it is necessary to take tests to determine the level of this substance in the blood.

Skin damage. The appearance of spots on the skin, uneven color of the skin - all this can occur due to a lack of vitamins.

A person who has a deficiency of vitamin B 12 may develop shortness of breath during physical exertion and heart rhythm disturbances. In addition, inflammatory processes appear on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, and the gums begin to bleed.

For newborns and children, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause irreversible disorders of the nervous system, which will subsequently affect the state of the intellectual sphere. The child may be developmentally delayed.

If it is not possible to restore the balance with the help of products, the doctor prescribes the administration of the vitamin by injection. There is also a tablet form. There are two medicines containing vitamin B 12: Cobamamide and Cyanocobalamin. containing cobalamin are administered intramuscularly, sometimes intravenous injections are used. The vitamin in ampoule form is represented by the following preparations:

Cyanocobalamin;
Hydroxocobalamin;
Cobamamide.

Cobalamin taken in tablets is poorly absorbed by the body, so it is taken together with folic acid. It is also worth considering the fact that vitamin C interferes with the absorption of vitamin B 12.

An overdose of the drug is fraught with danger. Excess of the substance can lead to pulmonary edema, thrombosis or heart failure. In some cases, an allergic reaction may occur in the form of Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock. Long-term use of the vitamin can cause mental illness or multiple sclerosis.

There is a third dosage form. Cobalamin is contained in rectal suppositories intended for insertion into the rectum. This drug is called Cycomin. The medicine is perfectly absorbed and quickly passes from the rectum into the bloodstream.

Among other things, there are complex vitamin preparations that include B12.

Important: If a person lacks cobalamin, do not forget about probiotics. These substances create a special environment in the stomach that promotes the production of essential vitamins.

Vitamin B 12 is vital for human health. It contains the necessary elements for the normal functioning of many internal organs. A lack of this substance will affect your general condition and can even cause serious illnesses. That is why the problem should be detected in time using a general blood test and treatment should begin after consulting with a doctor.

Video on the topic

post updated: 05/13/2018

The pathogenetic mechanism of damage to the central and peripheral nervous system due to vitamin B12 deficiency remains not entirely clear. A decrease in S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or an increase in the level of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid (MMA) may cause a disruption in the synthesis of myelin phospholipids with the development of myelopathy and encephalopathy. In addition, SAM influences the synthesis of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, which are related to mental status. Another possible cause of neurological disorders is related to the role of the metabolically active form of cobalamin (adenosylcobalamin) - a mitochondrial cofactor - in the conversion of L-methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. B12 deficiency leads to an increase in L-methylmalonyl-CoA, which is converted to D-methylmalonyl-CoA and hydrolyzed into MMC. Increased SUA and branched chain fatty acids lead to myelin damage.

Recent research suggests the following paradigms. B12 deficiency affects the neurotrophic and neurotoxic effects of cytokinins and growth factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), IL-6 and epidermal growth factor (EGF). In experimental studies of serum and cerebrospinal fluid in humans and rodents, EGF levels decrease concomitantly with a decrease in vitamin B12 levels. At the same time, the level of TNF-alpha increases simultaneously with the increase in homocysteine levels, which leads to a decrease in glial fibrous acidic protein and myelin basic protein. These observations suggest that the clinical and histological changes in vitamin B12 deficiency may result from upregulation of neurotoxic cytokines and downregulation of neurotrophic factors.

For better assimilation of the material, I recommend: a methodological manual for doctors “Anemia” by L.B. Filatov, Ekaterinburg, 2006 (see pp. 30 - 43) [read] and the article “Once again about vitamin B12 deficiency” by T.N. Perekatova, M.N. Ostroumova; City Consultative and Diagnostic Center No. 1, St. Petersburg (magazine “Clinical Oncohematology” No. 1, 2009) [read]

Neurological disorders associated with B12 deficiency, including dementia and other mental disorders, and classic signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as funicular myelosis and polyneuropathy. In most cases, the initial (minimal) signs of damage to the nervous system in a B12 deficiency state last for weeks or months before the appearance of pronounced clinical signs. It should be noted that approximately 15% of patients may develop without characteristic hematological changes (B12-deficiency - macrocytic - anemia).

[! ] CLINICAL CASE STUDY : “A case of severe funicular myelosis in a patient with B12-deficiency anemia” G.V. Zyrina, Tver State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation, Department of Nervous Diseases with a course in neurosurgery and medical genetics (bibliographic link to the article: Zyrina G.V. A case of severe funicular myelosis in a patient with B12-deficiency anemia // Upper Volga Medical Journal.-2011. -T.9. Issue 3 No. 11 – P.24-26) [read]

Clinical manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency are not related to etiology, as has been shown in clinical, electrodiagnostic and radiological studies. Interestingly, hematologic and neurologic manifestations are sometimes dissociated. In patients with psycho-neurological disorders, in approximately 1/3 of cases, there is no macrocytic anemia. Although the clinical signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include the classic triad (weakness, tongue pain and paresthesia), they are usually not major (see table"Clinical manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency"). Asymptomatic neurological manifestations can be detected using evoked potentials, ENMG and neuroimaging.

Characteristic of B12 deficiency states is a decrease in deep sensitivity in the lower extremities and instability in the Romberg test. Motor disturbances are caused by damage to the corticospinal tracts (in funicular myelosis), are more pronounced in the legs and vary in severity from mild weakness and hyperreflexia to lower spastic paraplegia, while deep reflexes in the lower extremities are often reduced or absent, which is associated with concomitant damage to the peripheral nerves (i.e., polyneuropathy). Almost 20% of patients have a positive Lhermitte sign. Polyneuropathy in B12 deficiency is of a mixed nature - both axons and the myelin sheath of nerves are affected. When paresthesia first appears in the extremities (usually in the legs), and then staggering occurs when walking. Patients often experience dyspepsia. Some patients may develop symptoms caused by autonomic dysfunction: increased urge to urinate, urinary and fecal incontinence, impotence. Patients may also experience decreased visual acuity, scotomas, and atrophy of the optic nerves, while changes in visual evoked potentials may be observed even in the absence of clinical manifestations of visual disorders. Rare symptoms include brainstem and cerebellar disorders, as well as reversible comatose states. Dementia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency is characterized by rapid progression of cognitive impairment with transient episodes of agitation, confusion, and depression (which is a common manifestation of B12 deficiency, which is associated with the participation of this vitamin in the synthesis of neurotransmitters through the regulation of intracellular SAM levels). Dementia itself, caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, does not have pathognomonic (specific) clinical manifestations. One of the manifestations of B12-deficiency dementia is mild cerebral atrophy, which is confirmed by neuroimaging data. Diagnosis is aided by the identification of megaloblastic anemia and a decrease in the level of vitamin B12 in the blood serum (normal range is 162 - 694 pmol/l).

note! B12 deficiency in elderly and senile patients often remains unrecognized, since clinical manifestations are very variable and nonspecific, do not cause concern for a long time, and are regarded as natural aging. However, long-term vitamin B12 deficiency with late diagnosis leads to serious consequences. Elderly individuals are characterized by neuropsychiatric manifestations of B12 deficiency in the form of paresthesia, muscle weakness, gait and balance disorders, cognitive and behavioral disorders in the absence of hematological abnormalities.

Congenital vitamin B12 deficiency in children. The medical literature quite fully describes cases of vitamin B12 deficiency in children, leading to hematological and neurological disorders. Vitamin B12 is an essential and essential component of metabolism, and normally a person receives it only through nutrition. Vitamin B12 is found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs and milk. During pregnancy, vitamin B12 penetrates well through the placenta and accumulates in the fetal liver. A newborn’s reserves may be enough for several independent months of life, but under certain circumstances (children born to mothers with anemia, mothers on a strict vegetarian diet, with genetic disorders, diphyllobothriasis) a clinical deficiency of vitamin B12 may develop.

Clinical manifestations of disorders of different stages of vitamin B12 metabolism are very similar and include megaloblastic anemia, eating and feeding disorders, delayed psychomotor development or regression, excitability, weakness, diffuse hypotension, ataxia, apathy, tremor, hyperkinesis, convulsions, microcephaly and brain atrophy. Cases of epilepsy of the West syndrome type with registration of modified hypsarrhythmia and developmental regression at 9 months after the manifestation of infantile epileptic spasms, without macrocytic anemia and with complete regression of all pathological symptoms after detection of B12 deficiency and its correction, are also described. Delay in diagnosis and late initiation of treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to irreversible psychomotor regression and neurological impairment. Thus, some studies show that if therapy is started later than 12 months after the manifestation of the disease, neurological changes are irreversible, despite subsequent correction (source: article “Paroxysmal disorders in children with vitamin B12 replacement therapy” by M.V. Barkhatov et al.; Russian Journal of Child Neurology, No. 4, 2017).

To treat psycho-neurological manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin B12 is prescribed intramuscularly in a daily dose of 1000 mcg for 5 days, then 1000 mcg once a month. Sometimes, at the beginning of the course of therapy, there may be some transient deterioration in the condition of patients, the genesis of which remains unclear. Recent randomized trials have shown that, regardless of the etiology of vitamin B12 deficiency, oral administration of this vitamin (i.e., cyanocobalamin) is as effective as parenteral administration. Therefore, taking large doses of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) orally is an alternative, since 1% is absorbed by passive diffusion, and 1000 mcg per day gives a daily absorption of 10 mcg, which exceeds the two-microgram recommended daily allowance (in patients with nutritional deficiencies and malabsorption is prescribed orally 1 mg per day for a month to saturate the vitamin depot, then 125 - 250 mcg per day as maintenance therapy). To date, the question of preventive vitamin therapy remains open. Some experts recommend prescribing a maintenance dose of vitamin B12 to everyone over 60 years of age due to the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis.

Information about the potential reversibility of dementia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency is contradictory and is based on small studies, but in some cases, especially with mild cognitive defects (non-dementia cognitive disorders), complete or significant recovery is possible. There is also evidence that the use of cyanocobalamin reduces the severity of cognitive impairment and depression in patients who have suffered a lacunar infarction. In general, it is believed that if disorders caused by vitamin B12 deficiency exist for more than a year, then their reverse development even with adequate therapy is unlikely (this distinguishes the course of hypovitaminosis B12 in older people from that in young people and children who are “catching up” with their peers in development and cognitive abilities after restoration of B12 depot in the body). One reason for the lack of effect of therapy may be due to cognitive impairment due to both vitamin B12 deficiency and Alzheimer's disease in the same patient.

Read also:

article “B vitamin deficiency in neurological practice: an underestimated threat” (health-ua.com pdf format) [read];

article “Sensorimotor polyneuropathy associated with vitamin B12 deficiency” by T.M. Morozova, S.K. Evtushenko, M.A. Moskalenko, L.M. Prokhorova; Donetsk State Medical University. M. Gorky, Department of Pediatric and General Neurology, FIPO; Regional Children's Clinical Hospital, Donetsk" (News of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ukraine, No. 7 (361), 2011) [read];

article “Cognitive impairment in vitamin B12 deficiency, folic acid and hyperhomocysteinemia” by P.R. Kamchatnov, Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty, State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education, Russian National Research Medical University named after. N.I. Pirogov of the Russian Ministry of Health; I.V. Damulin, Department of Nervous Diseases and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, First Moscow State Medical University named after. THEM. Sechenov Ministry of Health of Russia (magazine “Clinicist” No. 1, 2015) [read];

article “Modern possibilities for diagnosing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency” by A.L. Krasnovsky, S.P. Grigoriev, R.M. Alyokhina, I.S. Ezhova, I.V. Zolkina, E.O. Loshkareva; Department of Internal Diseases, Medical and Biological Faculty, Russian National Research Medical University named after. N.I. Pirogov" of the Ministry of Health of Russia (magazine "Clinicist" No. 3, 2016) [read];

article “Neurological complications caused by vitamin deficiency after bariatric surgery” by E.Yu. Dudorova, I.V. Damulin, I.E. Khatkov; GBUZ "Moscow Clinical Scientific and Practical Center of the Department of Health of the City of Moscow", Moscow, Russia; State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education “First Moscow State Medical University named after. THEM. Sechenov" of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia (Journal "Therapeutic Archives" No. 12, 2015) [read];

article “Chronic intoxication with laughing gas (nitrous oxide) - the cause of B12-deficiency myelopolyneuropathy in young people” N.A. Suponeva, D.A. Grishina, L.A. Legostaeva, E.G. Mochalova; Federal State Budgetary Institution "Scientific Center of Neurology", Moscow (journal "Nerve-muscular diseases" No. 4, 2016) [read];

article “Neurological features of B12-deficiency anemia in children” by L.M. Shchugareva, N.E. Sokolova, A.A. Emelyanenko, Yu.G. Politova; Department of Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery of the St. Petersburg Academy of Postgraduate Education; State Healthcare Institution Children's City Hospital No. 1, St. Petersburg (Neurological Journal, No. 1, 2012) [read];

article “Clinical and functional manifestations of funicular myelosis and chronic gastritis in patients with B12-deficiency anemia” G.V. Zyrina, S.A. Vorobiev; GBOU VPO Tver State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Russia (magazine “Clinical Medicine” No. 5, 2013) [read];

article “Clinical and laboratory characteristics of funicular myelosis” Shatokhin Yu.V., Snezhko I.V., Goncharova Z.A., Dokuchaev S.E., Fomina-Chertousova N.A.; Rostov State Medical University, Department of Hematology and Transfusiology, Faculty of Training and Teaching Staff, Rostov-on-Don (magazine “Medical Bulletin of the South of Russia” 2010) [read];

article “On the neurological manifestations of B12-deficiency anemia” by G.V. Zyrina, Tver State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Russia (journal “Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology” No. 1, 2014) [read];

article “Transcranial magnetic stimulation for funicular myelosis” by M.A. Domashenko, A.V. Chervyakov, M.Yu. Maksimova, M.A. Piradov; FSBI "Scientific Center of Neurology" RAMS, Moscow (magazine "Nervous Diseases" No. 3, 2014) [read]

FAQ

What is vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is complex, the structure of which resembles the structure of heme in hemoglobin. It consists of a tetrapyrrole ring, in the center of which there is cobalt, and each of the pyrrole rings contains its own radical, due to which cyanocobalamin, hydroxoxycobalamin, methylcobalamin and deoxyadenosylcobalamin are distinguished. The first two are stable and are used in clinical practice as drugs, and the last two are determined in tissues and blood serum; they are unstable and are coenzymes in two vital biochemical reactions.

What is the daily requirement for vitamin B12? The daily requirement of vitamin B12 for adults (19 years of age and older) is 2.4 mcg (for pregnant women 2.6 mcg, for nursing women - 2.8 mcg). See the daily requirement of vitamin B12 for children (summary table).

What is the source of vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 enters the human body exclusively with proteins of animal origin and is not synthesized in its tissues. The richest sources of vitamin B12 are liver, kidneys, shellfish, crayfish, crabs, and dairy products. The daily requirement for vitamin B12 in humans is 3 - 7 mcg. With a normal diet, the body receives 5 - 15 mcg, and sometimes up to 50 - 100 mcg of vitamin per day. The total content of vitamin B12 in the human body ranges from 2 to 5 mg, the main part of which is found in the liver. Since the daily loss of vitamin B12 is very small (2 - 5 mcg), true nutritional deficiency is extremely rare: only in strict vegetarians and breast-fed infants.

In which patients should we suspect vitamin B12 deficiency?? The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is a violation of its absorption caused by a lack of intrinsic factor (Castle) in patients with damage to the gastric mucosa, as well as after gastric resection. Also, the first thing to suspect is vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with nutritional disorders: unbalanced diets, alcoholism, bulimia and anorexia, strict vegetarianism, etc. See all possible causes of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Due to malnutrition, elderly patients with cognitive impairment, living alone, without the support of loved ones or in residential institutions, constitute a special risk group for vitamin deficiency (B12). According to various authors, the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among elderly people ranges from 5 to 40%, depending on what diagnostic methods and reference values were used in the studies. In addition, in older age groups there is a high prevalence of atrophic gastritis and associated malabsorption of vitamin B12.

How can you confirm that a patient has vitamin B12 deficiency?? It is believed that for a full laboratory confirmation of vitamin B12 deficiency, it is necessary, in addition to establishing a reduced level of vitamin in the blood, an additional study of the level of homocysteine (5.4 - 13.9 μm/l), methylmalonic acid (73 - 271 nml/l), transcobalamin and folic acid. In clinical practice, determining the level of vitamin B12 in the blood can be a sufficient independent guide; a decrease in its level in the blood below normal can be considered a fairly accurate criterion for a lack of vitamin in the body. According to Michael J. Rose and Nancy Berliner (2000), the content of cobalamin in the blood serum usually accurately reflects its reserves in the body, and only in about 5% of patients clinical, neurological, morpho-hematological manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency are observed when its content is in blood levels are still within the lower limit of normal. It is in such patients that the authors recommend additionally determining the content of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid metabolites in the blood to make a diagnosis of B12 deficiency. An increase in the level of these indicators confirms the presence of vitamin B12 deficiency (also see table: “Additional research methods for vitamin B12 deficiency”).

view MRI scans[funicular myelosis] on radiopaedia.org

Some questions regarding vitamin B12 can be answered by [Vegan lifestyle].

Vitamin B12 is one of the most important for the correct functioning of our body.. With normal levels, a person has proper metabolism, optimal cell functioning and... a good mood.

Otherwise, with prolonged vitamin deficiency AT 12(5 years or longer) very negative consequences can occur.

The participation of this vitamin in the vital processes of our body is so significant that it is called the “energy vitamin.”

We can provide our body with vitamin B12 mainly through proper nutrition. But there are times when it is necessary to take additional nutritional supplements. As a rule, this should be done twice a year to maintain the level of this vitamin within acceptable limits.

Why is vitamin B12 so important?

First, it is involved in the production of DNA.
Secondly, it helps maintain the health of neurons, blood cells and genetic material present in the body.

Another feature of vitamin B12 is that it is not excreted from the body through urine. It accumulates in the liver, kidneys and other organs, as they say, “for further use.”

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency in the body has a number of different symptoms. This is probably why we cannot always trace this connection.

There are scientific studies that Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, there may be memory problems, signs of dementia, poor concentration, confusion and persistent forgetfulness.

One of the determining factors in the occurrence of degenerative diseases is a decrease in brain mass. But there is good news: with regular consumption of vitamin B12, it is possible to stop these processes if the disease is still in the initial stages.

In 80% of cases of diagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency, the following general conditions are present:

elderly age
daily consumption of 6 or more cups of coffee
vegan diet

Another symptom that can indicate to us the presence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the body is tingling feeling in hands and feet caused by poor blood circulation.

And despite the fact that this may be associated with other problems, it is still better to check the level of this important vitamin in your body. Is it within acceptable limits?

Increased fatigue and apathy

Very often people with vitamin B12 deficiency experience constant fatigue, they have a bad mood and loss of energy. They cannot motivate themselves and change their mood. The cause of all these symptoms is depression, you might say, but not always.

Perhaps visiting a psychologist would be a good idea in this case, but what if the solution to the problem is again related to the level of vitamin B12? Then it will be possible to improve the situation much faster!

Digestion, dizziness, anemia...

Depending on the individual characteristics of each person, digestive problems may also arise: constipation or diarrhea.

Dizziness, which can even lead to loss of consciousness, may also indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. Here it is important to pay attention to whether the state of dizziness is short-term or long-lasting.

Indeed, despite the fact that anemia is associated with iron deficiency, it can develop (both in mild and chronic form) due to vitamin B12 deficiency.

The result is a decrease in the number of red blood cells.

If we add to this other symptoms, such as lack of appetite or diarrhea, it becomes clear that this is already a serious discomfort for a person, interfering with his usual activities.

Other symptoms include changes in skin color (from pale to yellowish), as well as decreased activity of the nervous system.

If there is a lack of vitamin B12, the feeling of hunger will torment a person less and less. And here it is important to be vigilant, because we are not talking about food in general, but about nourishing your body.

If food intake is inadequate, you may experience anemia.

Other signals

You have always been a very calm person and suddenly became nervous and irritable? This is also a possible consequence of a lack of vitamin B12 in the body.

People may also experience loss of orientation and sense of space. At first these are short-term and almost imperceptible episodes, but over time they will progress.

Severe chest pain can also be a noticeable symptom of the same problem. The fact is that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to weakness of the muscles and joints around the sternum.

In addition to the above symptoms, you can note:

Feeling of constant cold and numbness of the limbs without a sharp drop in ambient air temperature.
Attacks of diarrhea. At first they appear gradually. In especially severe cases, bowel movements become too frequent and are accompanied by pain.
Problems with conception. Because the Vitamin B12 is directly related to genetic information, its deficiency can increase the risk of miscarriage, reduce sperm activity and lead to problems with the female reproductive system.
Pain in the mouth. Frequent infections caused by bacterial growth or bleeding from the gums should never be ignored. This can lead to tooth loss.

Medicines that cause vitamin B12 deficiency

Contraceptives
Medicines for cancer treatment
Medicines to treat gout, Parkinson's disease and tuberculosis
Anticonvulsants
Potassium supplements
Antihypertensive drugs
Medicines to lower cholesterol levels
Medications to treat mental illness

The Importance of Monitoring Vitamin B12 Levels

Having learned that the above medications can cause vitamin B12 deficiency in the body, you may be scared and decide to give them up.

Beef and beef liver
Shellfish
Poultry meat
Chicken eggs
Cereals

Currently, a large number of vitamin and mineral elements are known that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of human internal organs and their systems. It often happens that a state of a- or hypovitaminosis develops when the body lacks valuable substances. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to the development of serious pathological conditions that develop in both children and adults. It is important to understand in time that something wrong is happening to the body, so that you can consult a doctor and get recommendations on how to normalize your well-being.

Useful information about vitamin B12

It is known that vitamin B12 is an element belonging to the water-soluble group. It benefits the human body even if it is present in small quantities. A similar effect is achieved from the content of cobalt particles in its composition, which improve the functioning of internal organs and their systems.

How does it work?

The effect of vitamin substances on the human body is manifested in:

normalization of protein particle metabolism;
accelerating the process of absorption of fat and carbohydrate elements;
improving the absorption of pantothenic acid;
strengthening the heart muscle;
accelerating the process of production of erythroid cells;
restoration of organs and their systems in case of neuritis, radiculitis, neuralgia of various origins;
protecting humans from the occurrence of sclerotic pathologies;
improving the functioning of mnestic processes in the brain.

As for the child’s body, the vitamin substance, when present in sufficient quantity, helps strengthen the immune system and the ability to resist viral and infectious diseases. In addition, this element promotes the production of methionine, the so-called hormone of happiness and joy. Thanks to its constant presence in the body, a person’s resistance to stress increases, irritability decreases, and the functioning of the central nervous system is normalized.

Daily norm

For an adult, the daily intake of the substance is 3 mcg. If a larger amount of an element enters it, its remains are deposited in the organs of the liver system, after which, in case of deficiency, they are distributed throughout the body. For pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, the daily intake of the substance increases four times, that is, they need up to 12 mcg per day. The same dosage is recommended for people who are intensely involved in sports and who face great mental and physical stress.

Natural springs

To eliminate vitamin B12 deficiency, sometimes it is enough to enrich your diet with foods such as:

beef;
pork;
eggs;
liver products;
fish (mackerel, herring);
gouda cheese, cheddar;
cabbage juice

Considering the fact that not everyone consumes meat and fish products, it is worth noting that vitamin B12 is also found in soy, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. It has been proven that there are certain factors that negatively affect the absorption of the element by the body. These include:

alcohol consumption;
taking acids of various origins, sedatives;
use of estrogens.

Symptomatic manifestations of hypovitaminosis B12

It is known that symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency do not appear immediately. They may first appear two to three years after the cessation of eating animal products. Often, the symptomatic manifestations of hypovitaminosis B12 are similar to signs of the development of diseases such as:

senile dementia;
neurological dysfunction;
bipolar disorders;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
infertility;
psychoses and others.

The main symptoms of hypovitaminosis are:

darkening of the skin on the back of the hands;
itching sensation in the extremities of the fingers;
yellow tint of the skin;
poor distinction between blue and yellow shades;
development of depressive states;
accelerated weight loss;
decreased sensitivity in certain areas of the body.

In addition, a lack of vitamin B12 often causes the development of anemia and various diseases of the central nervous system. In the case when your health is constantly deteriorating, and there are no visible reasons for the development of such a condition, you should seek advice from a specialist. It may be necessary not only to adjust your diet, but also to start taking various complexes.

Causes of deficiency

Experts most often identify the following reasons for element deficiency:

improper structure of the diet;
development of atrophic gastritis, viral intestinal diseases;
insufficient recovery after operations on the gastrointestinal tract;
addiction to alcoholic beverages;
long-term use of acid-reducing medications;
complete refusal to consume products of animal origin (this character reason is usually for vegetarians).

Vitamin deficiency may also occur in certain groups of people. These include:

persons who have reached the age of sixty and older, since their rate of gastric juice production usually decreases;
persons suffering from autoimmune diseases;
vegans;
vegetarians;
persons suffering from diabetes mellitus, as they use metformin;
persons suffering from Crohn's disease;
newborns whose mothers follow a vegan diet.

Taking into account these factors, it is often possible to avoid a lack of vitamin B12 by taking certain measures. However, there are situations when specialists prescribe additional tests to ensure the development of hypovitaminosis. Next, complex therapy is carried out.

Diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency

Typically, a deficiency of methylcobalamin is detected after a person submits genetic material for research. To obtain reliable data, it is important to follow certain rules. These include:

The test is taken early in the morning, on an empty stomach.
During the day before the test, you should not eat fatty or heavy foods.

If the study shows a change in the number and structure of cells of the erythroid and leukocyte series, the specialist prescribes additional tests. These include taking genetic material to test for the presence of antibodies, as well as studying the state of gastric juice. Only after a detailed history collection and test results can a specialist say what the amount of the element is in the human body.

Treatment

If specialists diagnose a deficiency of a substance, the cause of which is malnutrition, they resort to injection therapy. Methylcobalamin is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. There are often cases when injections are prescribed for a long period of time or lifelong use. In such situations they talk about chronic hypovitaminosis B12.

In addition, it is extremely important to determine what the true cause of the lack of methylcobalamin is, since its elimination can help normalize the person’s condition. Sometimes it is enough to adjust your diet to feel improvements in the functioning of the body as a whole. Treatment can only be prescribed by a specialist, do not forget about this.

Hypervitaminosis B12

Despite the enormous benefits of methylcobalamin, we should not forget that its uncontrolled use can lead to a state of hypervitaminosis. Of course, this phenomenon is extremely rare, but knowing its symptoms is extremely important. These include:

thrombosis;
anaphylactic shock;
swelling of the lungs, heart;
violation of movement coordination;
nettle fever;
dyspnea.

Do not forget about the consequences that hypervitaminosis B12 leads to. This is often fatal. For this reason, it is worth closely monitoring your own health, as well as the use of certain natural and synthetic products.

Vitamin B12 and vegetarianism

Conscious refusal to consume animal products, including dairy, can lead to the development of methylcobalamin hypovitaminosis. It is important to add vitamin-fortified breakfast cereals to your diet. In addition, it is worth visiting a therapist who has been observing a person for a certain time, since only he will be able to select vitamin complexes that are suitable in this case. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:

"Multitabs B-complex";
"Peptovit";
"Vitohepat";
"Sirepar";
"Milgamma" and others.

These products can only be used after consultation with a specialist. Self-administration can lead to a deterioration in a person’s condition. And yet, vegetarianism is not always the main reason for the development of methylcobalamin hypovitaminosis. It is extremely important to monitor your own health, because it is often much more difficult to get rid of problems than to prevent their development.