Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia symptoms and treatments (2024)

FAQs

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia symptoms and treatments? ›

Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Vitamin B12 supplements are usually given by injection at first. Then, depending on whether your B12 deficiency is related to your diet, you'll either require B12 tablets between meals or regular injections. These treatments may be needed for the rest of your life. Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels.

Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin.

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of either of these vitamins affects the body's ability to produce fully functioning red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body.

How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.

B12 deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, and pain and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. Many of the symptoms caused by low B12 levels are not specific to B12 deficiency, which can cause the condition to go undetected.

Avoid processed foods

Highly processed foods may lack the natural B12 found in whole foods. Relying on a diet high in processed foods may contribute to nutrient deficiencies, including B12.

Currently, early recognition and treatment of pernicious anemia provide a normal, and usually uncomplicated, lifespan. Delayed treatment permits progression of the anemia and neurologic complications. If patients are not treated early in the disease, neurologic complications can become permanent.

Stage 1 is decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. Stage 2 is low concentration of vitamin B12 in the cell and metabolic abnormalities. Stage 3 is increased levels of hom*ocysteine and MMA and decreased DNA synthesis resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. Stage 4 is macrocytic anemia.

What cancers are linked to B12 deficiency? ›

A lack of vitamin B12, in particular, has been linked to an increased risk of gastric cancer. The precise relationship is complicated, involving B12's role in stomach lining health and its effect on DNA synthesis.

An abnormally high vitamin B12 status is anything over 900 pg/mL . This result may suggest liver or kidney problems, diabetes, or certain forms of leukemia. Low. Levels of vitamin B12 are low if they are below 200 pg/mL .

Adult pernicious anaemia (the most common cause of B12 deficiency and megaloblastic anaemia) occurs most commonly in people aged 40–70 years, with a mean age of onset of 60 years among white people.

Folate is especially important for people who are pregnant. Folate deficiency occurs when your body doesn't get enough folate. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, mouth sores and neurological issues.

It is possible to restore your vitamin B12, but it won't happen overnight. It usually takes a few months for most people to see an improvement, which is often gradual. In extreme cases, it can take up to a year to notice the effects of treatment, but in most cases, you'll be looking at around 4 - 6 months.

General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Not feeling as hungry as usual.

Vitamin B12 and folate are both important for the formation of your red blood cells and DNA. A deficiency in either vitamin can lead to fatigue, weakness and anemia. Unlike folate, B12 isn't found in plants. B12 is mainly found in meat, eggs and dairy products.

Before you start taking folic acid, your GP will check your vitamin B12 levels to make sure they're normal. This is because folic acid treatment can sometimes improve your symptoms so much that it masks an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency.

If combined B12 and folate deficiency always start B12 24 hours ahead of folate – Seek specialist advice only if symptoms are severe, there is diagnostic uncertainty and a neurology opinion is required to help determine the cause.