Dr Dawn Harper on signs of vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency
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Megaloblastic anaemia is when red blood cells are underdeveloped and larger than healthy blood cells. This means they are ineffective at transporting oxygen around the body and have a shorter lifespan. Vitamin B12 is considered the most structurally complex of all vitamin molecules by the Nutritionist Resource. This vitamin is needed for healthy red blood cell formation, hence why a lack of vitamin B12 leads to anaemia.
NICE pointed out the nine symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency to be aware of. This includes:
- Cognitive changes
- Dyspnoea
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Palpitations
- Tachypnoea
- Visual disturbance
- Weakness, lethargy
What’s dyspnoea and tachypnoea?
Dyspnoea is shortness of breath while tachypnoea refers to rapid breathing.
An untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to neurological complications.
Examples include loss of mental and physical drive, muscle weakness, eye troubles, and “psychiatric disturbances”.
This can range from mild neurosis to severe dementia, so it’s important a vitamin B12 deficiency is remedied as soon as possible.
Your GP can arrange a blood test to check for vitamin B12 levels, and the results should come back within a fortnight.
John Hopkins Medicine listed other warning signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
For example numb or tingling sensations in the hands and feet could be a sign.
Some people might experience nausea, irritability, weight loss, diarrhoea or a smooth and tender tongue.
A vitamin B12 deficiency is usually caused by two main factors – either a lack of intrinsic factor or post surgery.
Intrinsic factor is a protein made in the stomach that binds with vitamin B12.
This enables vitamin B12 to be reabsorbed into the body while making its way through the gut.
As a person gets older, an autoimmune condition might develop whereby the body attacks the cells responsible for creating intrinsic factor.
If the protein isn’t created, then vitamin B12 isn’t reabsorbed into the body when it travels through the gut.
Instead, the crucial vitamin is lost via the back passage when you do a number two.
Pernicious anaemia is the name of the autoimmune condition that causes a vitamin B12 deficiency.
This is why supplements might be needed on a life-long prescription to treat a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Depending on several factors, such as age, overall health and medical history, people who are deficient in vitamin B12 might be offered injections.
This potentially life-long treatment plan might be administered every few months.
The haematologist will advise on how long you need to keep taking the injections.
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