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What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Hi! I was diagnosed with b12 deficiency last year and had to take injections to boost levels. I have a very well balanced diet and eat lots of meat and dairy. One year later, I have numbness of the toe and also suffer rapid mood changes. My girlfriend suggested I get retested. My b12 level was 242. My question is, if I was so deficient once with a good balanced diet, does that mean my IF is low? And does it mean that I should always take b12 supplements to ensure it does not drop again? Thank you so much for your help!
Mon, 1 Aug 2016
Welcome to HCM,
I understand how confusing this must be for you when you are eating the diet that should be keeping your B12 levels normal. In addition, the numbness of the toe may be a neuropathic condition related to chronic low B12.
Are you on Metformin? That can keep B12 levels low as a side-effect in about 18% of prescription takers. Do you have any malabsorption issues?
If you were my patient I would investigate the possibility of the presence of adult-onset pernicious anemia. This anemia is a rare genetic variant that strips you of the intrinsic factor needed to process the vitamin B12. Different treatment modalities exist. Two well-known treatments are 6-8 injections yearly or 1000 mcg orally every day for 18 months. Trinsicon may also be used (B12, intrinsic factor, iron, vitamin C and folacin).
Other potential causes are mostly endocrinological and I would have thought other symptoms would have manifested. These diseases include hypoparathyroidism, testicular dysfunction, Addison's disease, Grave's disease.
I hope this helps you to understand that B12 deficiency does not always come from dietary deficiency! Healthy Regards, Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
I understand how confusing this must be for you when you are eating the diet that should be keeping your B12 levels normal. In addition, the numbness of the toe may be a neuropathic condition related to chronic low B12.
Are you on Metformin? That can keep B12 levels low as a side-effect in about 18% of prescription takers. Do you have any malabsorption issues?
If you were my patient I would investigate the possibility of the presence of adult-onset pernicious anemia. This anemia is a rare genetic variant that strips you of the intrinsic factor needed to process the vitamin B12. Different treatment modalities exist. Two well-known treatments are 6-8 injections yearly or 1000 mcg orally every day for 18 months. Trinsicon may also be used (B12, intrinsic factor, iron, vitamin C and folacin).
Other potential causes are mostly endocrinological and I would have thought other symptoms would have manifested. These diseases include hypoparathyroidism, testicular dysfunction, Addison's disease, Grave's disease.
I hope this helps you to understand that B12 deficiency does not always come from dietary deficiency! Healthy Regards, Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
I find this answer helpful
To best answer your question, sir, ask your personal physician to run a Shillings test on you. This test will clarify whether you have pernicious anemia and a lack of intrinisic factor which is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. Your question is a valid one and will require further testing to give you a reliable answer.
Regards,
Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
Regards,
Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
I find this answer helpful
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