Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Causes And Symptoms

Did you know that vitamin B12 cannot be produced by the body but is very important?

B12, a water-soluble vitamin, is also known as?cobalamin?and is found mainly in animal products like chicken, eggs, meat etc. The?function of vitamin B12?in the body is vital as it?ensures the functioning and formation of RBCs, DNA synthesis and nerve cells.

The deficiency of vitamin B12 is prevalent among Indians because a vast majority are vegetarians. Vegetarian and vegan food does not provide enough B12, which causes?deficiency. On the other hand, high amounts of vitamin B12 are present in non-vegetarian food. Apart from certain foods being a source of this?vitamin B12, supplements like tablets and injections are also available in the market. Some foods are fortified with Vitamin B12 and are readily available in the market.

Prevalence Of B12 Deficiency In Indians

From an urban endocrine practice, a database of 11913 patients was searched for reports of vitamin B12 levels. Prevalence of?this deficiency?with Vitamin B12 levels <200 pg/ml in tier 3 cities was 47.19%.

The prevalence of?vitamin B12 deficiency?was 37.76% in people with?pre-diabetes, 31.23% in people with endocrine problems other than diabetes, and 18.25% in people with?diabetes.?

The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is 47% in the north Indian population.?

Causes Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

1. Anaemia (Pernicious)

Some people are born with pernicious anaemia. These anaemia cells are attacked by the immune system in the abdomen, negatively affecting the absorption of Vit B12. The symptom of pernicious anaemia includes:

• Fast heartbeat
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Pale skin

2. Age

Our body needs hydrochloric acid to absorb B12. Some people suffer from atrophic gastritis because their stomach does not make enough of this acid and thus suffers from B12 deficiency.

However, B12 is readily absorbed from fortified foods and supplements in atrophic gastritis, so many doctors advise people older than 50 to consume B12-fortified foods.

3. Disorders Of The Intestines

B12 is absorbed in the intestines, but some disorders like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBS prevent B12 from absorbing into the intestines and hence cause deficiency. Some symptoms are:

• Dementia
• Confusion in the brain
• Megaloblastic anaemia (more significant size of RBCs compared to normal RBCs and sufficiency of the same.

4. Certain Medications

Certain medications advised for?diabetes, infections, heartburn, and seizures may hinder the absorption of Vitamin B12. For example, Metformin given to diabetic people to control the?blood sugar level?in the body may cause B12 deficiency.

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