Vitamin B12 deficiency (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Bot: Removing from Primary care)
 
(6 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown)
Line 45: Line 45:


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
*A '''physical exam''' may show problems with reflexes or a positive Babinski reflex.
*A physical exam may show problems with reflexes or a positive [[Babinski reflex]].


*The following '''tests''' may be done:
*The following tests may be done:
:*Complete blood count
:*[[Complete blood count]]
:*[[Reticulocyte count]]
:*[[Reticulocyte count]]
:*Schilling test (if [[Pernicious anemia (patient information)|pernicious anemia]] is suspected)
:*[[Schilling test]] (if [[Pernicious anemia (patient information)|pernicious anemia]] is suspected)
:*Serum LDH
:*Serum [[LDH]]
:*Serum vitamin B12 level and serum folate levels
:*Serum vitamin B12 level and serum [[folate]] levels
:*[[Esophagogastroduodenoscopy]] (EGD) to examine the stomach, or enteroscopy to examine the small intestine may be done.
:*[[Esophagogastroduodenoscopy]] (EGD) to examine the stomach, or [[enteroscopy]] to examine the [[small intestine]] may be done.
:*[[Bone marrow biopsy]] is done only when the diagnosis is not clear.
:*[[Bone marrow biopsy]] is done only when the diagnosis is not clear.


Line 62: Line 62:
*Treatment depends on the cause of B12 deficiency anemia.
*Treatment depends on the cause of B12 deficiency anemia.


:*[[Pernicious anemia (patient information)|Pernicious anemia]] requires '''lifelong vitamin B12 replacement''', most often using injections. Some patients can get enough supplementation with high-dose tablets of oral vitamin B12.
:*[[Pernicious anemia (patient information)|Pernicious anemia]] requires lifelong vitamin B12 replacement, most often using injections. Some patients can get enough supplementation with high-dose tablets of oral vitamin B12.


:*People with anemia due to a lack of dietary vitamin B12 may be told to take vitamin supplements and '''follow a more balanced diet.''' Treatment may start with vitamin B12 injections.
:*People with anemia due to a lack of dietary vitamin B12 may be told to take vitamin supplements and follow a more balanced diet. Treatment may start with vitamin B12 injections.


:*Anemia caused by poor digestion and absorption is treated with '''vitamin B12 injections until the condition improves. These shots are given every day and then every week at first, and then every month.'''
:*Anemia caused by poor digestion and absorption is treated with vitamin B12 injections until the condition improves. These shots are given every day and then every week at first, and then every month.


:*Many people may need these shots once a month for the rest of their life. The shots may no longer be needed after [[Crohn's disease]], [[celiac disease]], or alcoholism is properly treated.
:*Many people may need these shots once a month for the rest of their life. The shots may no longer be needed after [[Crohn's disease]], [[celiac disease]], or [[alcoholism]] is properly treated.


==Where to find medical care for Vitamin B12 deficiency?==  
==Where to find medical care for Vitamin B12 deficiency?==  
Line 76: Line 76:
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
*You can prevent anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 by following a well-balanced diet.  
*You can prevent anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 by following a well-balanced diet.  
*Vitamin B12 injections can prevent anemia after surgeries known to cause vitamin B12 deficiency.  
*Vitamin B12 injections can prevent [[anemia]] after surgeries known to cause vitamin B12 deficiency.  
*Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can limit the severity and complications of this anemia.
*Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can limit the severity and complications of this anemia.


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
*Treatment for this form of anemia is usually effective.
*Treatment for this form of [[anemia]] is usually effective.
*Any damage to nerves may be permanent, especially if treatment is not started within 6 months of when the symptoms begin.  
*Any damage to the [[nerves]] may be permanent, especially if treatment is not started within 6 months of when the symptoms begin.


==Possible complications==  
==Possible complications==  
Vitamin B12 affects cells that form the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways (epithelial cells). Therefore, '''a lack of B12 may cause a falsely abnormal Pap smear.'''
Vitamin B12 affects cells that form the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways (epithelial cells). Therefore, a lack of B12 may cause a falsely abnormal [[pap smear]].


==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000574.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000574.htm
{{WH}}
{{WS}}


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
Line 94: Line 96:
[[Category:Autoimmune diseases]]
[[Category:Autoimmune diseases]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
[[Category:Primary care]]
{{WH}}
{{WS}}

Latest revision as of 00:41, 30 July 2020

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Vitamin B12 deficiency On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Vitamin B12 deficiency

Videos on Vitamin B12 deficiency

FDA on Vitamin B12 deficiency

CDC on Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency in the news

Blogs on Vitamin B12 deficiency

Directions to Hospitals Treating Vitamin B12 deficiency

Risk calculators and risk factors for Vitamin B12 deficiency

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Overview

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a low red blood cell count due to a lack of vitamin B12.

What are the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

  • People with mild anemia may have no symptoms, or symptoms may be very mild.
  • More typical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia include:
  • Symptoms from nerve damage caused by vitamin B12 deficiency that has been present for a longer time include:
  • Confusion or change in mental status (dementia) in severe cases
  • Depression
  • Loss of balance
  • Numbness and tingling of hands and feet

What causes Vitamin B12 deficiency?

  • Your body needs vitamin B12 to make red blood cells. In order to provide vitamin B12 to your cells:
  • You must eat enough foods that contain vitamin B12, such as meat, poultry, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products.
  • Your body must absorb enough vitamin B12. Your body uses a special protein, called intrinsic factor, released by cells in the stomach. The combination of vitamin B12 attached to intrinsic factor is absorbed in the last part of the small intestine.
  • A lack of vitamin B12 in the diet may be due to:
  • Eating a vegetarian diet
  • Poor diet in infancy
  • Poor nutrition during pregnancy
  • A number of problems can make it difficult for your body to absorb enough vitamin B12:
  • Chronic alcoholism
  • Crohn's disease, celiac disease, infection with the fish tapeworm, or other problems that make it difficult for your body to digest foods
  • Pernicious anemia, which occurs when your body destroys cells that make intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is needed to absorb vitamin B12.
  • Surgeries that remove certain parts of your stomach or small intestine, such as some weight-loss surgeries
  • Taking antacids and other heartburn medicines for a long period of time

Diagnosis

  • A physical exam may show problems with reflexes or a positive Babinski reflex.
  • The following tests may be done:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you have any of the symptoms of anemia.

Treatment options

  • Treatment depends on the cause of B12 deficiency anemia.
  • Pernicious anemia requires lifelong vitamin B12 replacement, most often using injections. Some patients can get enough supplementation with high-dose tablets of oral vitamin B12.
  • People with anemia due to a lack of dietary vitamin B12 may be told to take vitamin supplements and follow a more balanced diet. Treatment may start with vitamin B12 injections.
  • Anemia caused by poor digestion and absorption is treated with vitamin B12 injections until the condition improves. These shots are given every day and then every week at first, and then every month.

Where to find medical care for Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Vitamin B12 deficiency

Prevention

  • You can prevent anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B12 by following a well-balanced diet.
  • Vitamin B12 injections can prevent anemia after surgeries known to cause vitamin B12 deficiency.
  • Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can limit the severity and complications of this anemia.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

  • Treatment for this form of anemia is usually effective.
  • Any damage to the nerves may be permanent, especially if treatment is not started within 6 months of when the symptoms begin.

Possible complications

Vitamin B12 affects cells that form the outer surface of the body and line inner passageways (epithelial cells). Therefore, a lack of B12 may cause a falsely abnormal pap smear.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000574.htm Template:WH Template:WS