Anemia caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12 is a serious health condition. If you don't treat it, your risk of permanent nerve damage, progressive neurodegenerative illnesses --- even heart attack and stroke --- can increase. Vitamin B12-related anemia is often the result of problems with your stomach that prevent you from absorbing the vitamin even if you're eating enough. Don't try to treat the condition by yourself with vitamins you buy off the shelf of your pharmacy. You need a proper diagnosis and prescription-strength B12 treatment.
Pernicious Anemia
Your stomach secretes a substance called intrinsic factor, which helps you absorb vitamin B12. Some people have autoimmune inflammation that destroys some stomach cells, so you don't make enough intrinsic factor. This makes it difficult for your stomach to break down the B12 attached to the proteins in foods you eat. This is pernicious anemia --- not to be confused with iron-related anemia. Symptoms of pernicious anemia include weakness, pale skin, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation, memory and mood problems, trouble concentrating or confusion, balance instability and tingling in your hands and feet. Treatment of pernicious anemia involves high doses of vitamin B12, given orally or intravenously. Left untreated you could suffer a B12 deficiency even if you eat enough of it in your diet. It can also cause nerve damage and progressive neurological conditions.
B12 Facts
Vitamin B12 is the largest and most intricately structured of all the vitamins in the B complex. It's a water-soluble vitamin, which means in most cases your body will flush out all surplus B12, but this vitamin can also be stored in your liver. B12 comes from animal foods, including meat and dairy, but food processors can add it to products like cereal. You can also buy it as a dietary supplement and a prescription medication. B12 assists in the production of red blood cells, neurological function and DNA creation. It's also essential to protein synthesis and metabolism.
B12 Deficiency and Anemia Diagnosis
Your doctor can perform a number of tests to detect anemia. A common one is a simple blood analysis. When the amount of B12 in your blood or plasma is less than about 170 to 250 pg/dL, you are said to have a B12 deficiency. Sometimes a simple analysis doesn't accurately reflect how much B12 is concentrated within your cells, however. Additional checks that can confirm pernicious anemia include detecting the level of homocysteine you have. B12 helps convert homocysteine, an amino acid that can lead to heart disease. Lack of B12 allows homocysteine to build up. Additional tests can check for intrinsic factor antibodies. Each of these clues helps diagnose pernicious anemia.
Treatment & Supplementation
Pernicious anemia is a serious health condition that, if not treated, can lead to irreversible neurological problems. Your doctor is best positioned to determine the kind of treatment you need. Avoid thinking you are getting enough B12 if you take an over-the-counter vitamin supplement. Pernicious anemia often requires a monthly or more frequent injection of B12. Some patients may also get a nasal application or a prescription high-dose tablet. In addition, your doctor may advise you to eat a more balanced diet.
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