If you have been experiencing abnormal sensation, weakness or mental problems, you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Specifically, Medline Plus, of the National Institutes of Health, states that such a deficiency may cause a disorder termed subacute combined degeneration. In this disorder, a lack of vitamin B12 can result in nerve damage to the brain and spinal cord. Work with your doctor to determine how much vitamin B12 is needed to resolve your deficiency.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency And Your Nerves
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin found in meats and dairy products. If you are vegetarian and are not taking a vitamin B12 supplement, you may develop severe nerve damage. Medline Plus states that the link between vitamin B12 deficiency and nerve damage is not fully understood, but researchers believe that a lack of vitamin B12 results in abnormal fatty acid formation around the nerve and cells in the spinal cord. An accumulation of these abnormal fatty acids first damages the myelin sheath, or nerve covering, and then damages the nerve.
Severity
To know how much vitamin B12 is needed to replace a deficiency, you must test how low vitamin B12 levels are in your body. Although vitamin B12 is primarily stored in the liver, blood tests are used to calculate vitamin B12 levels. Specifically, Medline Plus states that a complete blood count is ordered to test for anemia related to vitamin B12 deficiency. In addition, your doctor will order a vitamin B12 level to determine deficiency.
Slightly Deficient
If you are slightly deficient in vitamin B12, your doctor may suggest dietary improvements to raise your B12 levels. In this case, you should increase your intake of eggs, soy milk, milk, meats and shellfish. If you do not eat meats or are lactose-intolerant, you should take an over-the-counter vitamin B12 supplement to improve your levels. When taking any medication, follow the dosing instructions to prevent side effects and complications.
Severe Deficiency
If you have a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, your doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 injections. According to Daily Med, of the National Institutes of Health, a vitamin B12 injection contains 1,000 micrograms of vitamin B12, of which only 2 to 50 percent is absorbed. The injection is administered into a muscle and allowed to diffuse into the bloodstream. Because the severity of vitamin B12 deficiency varies, your doctor will prescribe the frequency of vitamin B12 injections particular to your case.
