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Is Vitamin B 12 Deficiency In A 71 Year Old Normal?

Posted on Wed, 29 Jul 2015

Question: Is vitamin b12 defficiency common in a male aged 71?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Unless you have a problem, it is not common with age!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

Vitamin B12 is mainly obtained in dairy and meat products. The stomach and small intestine are instrumental in its absorption. if you eat enough and have no difficulties absorbing vitamin b12, then it is no common in a 71years old than any other person in the society. However, if you have digestive diseases, this may be a reason to suspect low levels of vitamin B12.

Please, what are your worries? Fears? Symptoms? I will look into them fo see if they are linked to B12 deficiency. Also, the levels can be measured in most labs and compared to the reference values.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (29 minutes later)

Well father in law had a triple bypass 4 years ago and heart damage follow a heart attack same time . Later diagnosed with copd and is on inhalers and sometimes steroids when he gets a flare up .

All blood were ok except b12 defficiency

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Means he’s not eating enough!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the precision. I will suggest that you follow up and increase his consumption of food types with increased B12 vitamins especially dairy and meet products. He may also take vitamin supplements to overcome this.

Best wishes and speedy recovery. Let me know if there is more I can do for you at this time.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 minutes later)

So not likely to be any other serious condition?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
B12 deficiency is mainly diet!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

No disease condition is diagnosed by low B12 levels. Low B12 levels may signal a problem with intake and absorption and so long as there are no other issues of concern, i will not want to take that route.

I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Ok so is copd a dangerous condition ?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
NO, if well managed!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

COPD is a group of several different disease condition. The doctor will need to state what exact disease of these you have for me to say anything concrete about it. However, COPD if well managed is not a dangerous condition. As we age, at one point most of us will suffer from this condition. It is also more common among persons who smoke cigarettes or live with smokers.

I hope this helps. I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (43 hours later)

Thx. At age 71 is copd still v treatable ?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
COPD is still treatable at 71!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This is mainly a disease that comes with age. we have drugs to control this and I have no doubts that they will be good enough to help your dad with this condition. The medications will be vey helpful.

I wish him well and a speedy recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (15 hours later)

If triple bypass took place 4 years ago , is survival good ?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Survival is generally good. However, all risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, inactivity and healthy diet must be addressed. This way, we prevent further artery blockage.

Best wishes and hope to hear from you if need be.

Note: Get a consultation booked to know more about aging related medical issues. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar