You have a number of serious health concerns to stay on top of if you have Crohn's disease, with the risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency being one of them. Vitamin B-12 serves vital purposes in the body. It's needed for food metabolism in addition to providing support for the nervous system and organs. If you're dealing with the effects of this inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor may recommend vitamin B-12 injections to prevent malnutrition.
Understanding Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a condition affecting the digestive tract, which is made up of your esophagus, stomach and intestines. These areas of the body become inflamed, causing considerable pain and other problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, bloody stool and ulcers. In some cases, the disease leads to serious complications, including bowel obstruction and fistulas. The exact cause of Crohn's is unclear, but about 20 percent of those affected have a relative with an inflammatory bowel disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Crohn's Effects
This disease's effects on the digestive system garner much attention, but Crohn's can cause health issues affecting the entire body. One such concern is having a low level of vitamin B-12. Your small intestine absorbs B-12 and other nutrients from the food you eat as it passes through the digestive tract. When you have Crohn's disease, however, your intestine may not be able to effectively absorb nutrients from food. Not having enough vitamin B-12 can cause fatigue and numbness or tingling in the extremities. Diarrhea is also a sign of low B-12, a problem you may already be dealing with from Crohn's itself.
B-12 Injections
Your physician can order a blood test to check your vitamin B-12 level. Vitamin B-12 supplementation is necessary to resolve the deficiency. While some people are able to take oral vitamin B-12 supplements, this isn't effective if you have Crohn's because of your inability to absorb dietary nutrients. For this reason, your physician will give you regular B-12 injections to get the vitamin right into your bloodstream. You may need to have injections daily for a period of time, but eventually you'll begin a monthly regimen.
Pernicious Anemia
Keeping an eye on your vitamin B-12 level is essential. Having Crohn's puts you at risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, also known as pernicious anemia. The primary concern if you have this condition is that your body is unable to make an adequate number of red blood cells. These cells are needed to transport oxygen to all of your tissues and organs. Other than fatigue, you may experience chest pain, cold intolerance, memory problems, headaches and dizziness. Left untreated, damage to your nervous system and vital organs can occur.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin)
- MayoClinic.com; Crohn's Disease; August 2009
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Crohn's Disease; February 2006
- Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Are You Getting Enough of This Vitamin?
- PubMed Health: Anemia -- B-12 Deficiency
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Pernicious Anemia
Member Comments