Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious complications such as
nerve damage, anemia and fatigue
, which is why those at risk should add a high-quality B12 supplement to their diet ( 2 ).
What happens when your vitamin B12 is low?
Not having enough B12 can lead
to anemia
, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.
What causes lack of b12?
Not having enough B12 can lead
to anemia
, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.
How can I raise my B12 levels fast?
- Beef, liver, and chicken.
- Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
- Fortified breakfast cereal.
- Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
- Eggs.
How long does it take to recover from B12 deficiency?
Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to
six to 12 months
to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment.
What medications should not be taken with B12?
Other medications can also interfere with your uptake of vitamin B12, possibly raising your risk for deficiency. These medications include
antacids and peptic ulcer medications
, cholesterol-lowering drugs, antiseizure medications, chemotherapy medications, the diabetes treatment glucophage (Metformin) and others.
How long does it take for B12 supplements to work?
It may take
a few weeks
before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
What disease is associated with a deficiency of B12?
Either a lack of vitamin B-12 or a lack of folate causes a type of anemia called
megaloblastic anemia (pernicious anemia)
. With these types of anemia, the red blood cells don't develop normally. They are very large.
What level of B12 is dangerously low?
A serum vitamin B12 level less than 180 ng/L may cause megaloblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathies. Vitamin B12 levels
less than 150 ng/L
are considered evidence of vitamin B12 deficiency.
What does a B12 deficiency tongue look like?
B12 deficiency will also make the
tongue sore and beefy-red in color
. Glossitis, by causing swelling of the tongue, may also cause the tongue to appear smooth.
How can I get B12 naturally?
Vitamin B12 is naturally present in foods of animal origin, including
fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products
[5]. In addition, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified nutritional yeasts are readily available sources of vitamin B12 that have high bioavailability [12,13].
What are the first signs of B12 deficiency?
- a pale yellow tinge to your skin.
- a sore and red tongue (glossitis)
- mouth ulcers.
- pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- changes in the way that you walk and move around.
- disturbed vision.
- irritability.
- depression.
Are almonds rich in vitamin B12?
While soy, almond, and rice milks are not naturally high in vitamin B12,
they are usually fortified
, making them an excellent source of this vitamin.
Should you take B12 everyday?
While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for
adults is 2.4 micrograms
, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine. High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache.
Can vitamin B12 reverse nerve damage?
Supplementation for vitamin B
12
deficiency should be provided parenterally since poor oral absorption is usually the cause of the disease. Supplementation with vitamin B
12
typically halts progression of the disease, but
does not reverse it since much
of the disability is secondary to the spinal cord pathology.
Can you feel worse after B12 injection?
At first, you may need to have the injection a few times a week to boost your levels of vitamin B12. Some common side effects are
feeling or being sick and diarrhoea
.
