Health & Fitness
What is the hype about B12?
Basics- Your body needs vitamin B12 for many things. For example, you need vitamin B12 to make new cells, such as red blood cells, and for your nervous system to work normally.
People can get vitamin B12 deficiency when:
•They don’t eat enough foods that have vitamin B12 in them.•They eat foods with vitamin B12 but their body can’t absorb or use the vitamins normally. These things can happen with certain medical problems or as a side effect of certain medicines.A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause anemia. Anemia is the term doctors use when a person has too few red blood cells. Anemia can cause headaches or make people feel tired or weak.
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A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause other symptoms, including:
•Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet•Trouble walking•Mood changes•Memory problems or trouble thinking clearlyCauses-
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:Gastric abnormalities-
Pernicious anemia
Gastrectomy/bariatric surgery
Gastritis
Autoimmune metaplastic atrophic gastritis
:Small bowel disease-
Malabsorption syndrome
Ileal resection or bypass
:Pancreatic insufficiency
:Strict vegans
If a treatable cause is found that is treated first. Regardless of that though the b12 deficiency should be diagnosed and treated. Diagnosis is easy with a simple blood test.
Treatment is easy depending on the cause either PO or injections.
If you have any symptoms mentioned or need to know further contact your doctor for further discussion.