Vitamin B12 Deficiency - One of the Leading Nutrient Deficiencies
Written by Dr. Prashant Dharmraj Shah and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for humans because it plays a vital role in cell divisions and growth of the cell. Synonym of vitamin B12 is cobalamine derived from the content of cobalt.
Symptoms of B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes numbness and tingling sensation of both upper and lower limb of the body, uneasiness, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss, leg cramps, anemia, an altered taste of mouth, recurrent oral ulcers and many more of undescribed complaints.
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Causes of B12 Deficiency
- A person, who does not take enough fresh milk will result in vitamin B12 deficiency as pasteurized milk reduces its B12 content.
- It is also believed that RO plants (reverse osmosis) used to purify water drains out B12 from drinking water.
- Overuse of medicines for hyperacidity also leads to B12 deficiency.
- Addiction to gutka and tobacco also causes the deficiency.
Management of B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with some medicines, which are available in oral and injectable form. It is also increased by supplementation of vitamin B12 containing foods.
Sources of Vitamin B12
Vegetarians can increase their vitamin B12 level by regular intake of milk and milk products like butter, cheese, paneer, curd, buttermilk, etc. Non-vegetarian foods are a rich source of vitamin B12.
We can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by taking vitamin B12 rich foods, mixing RO water with plain water and avoiding regular use of hyperacidity medicines.
To gain more knowledge about Vitamin B12 consult a nutritionist online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/nutritionist
Last reviewed at: 29.Dec.2018RATING
Related Questions & Answers
Query: Hi doctor, As I took master health blood test and in the result, my vitamin B12 is high. How can I lower it? I am afraid of this. Please help me. Read Full »
Family Physician, General Practitioner, Hematologist, Pathologist
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Kindly provide me any other clinical complaint if you have. Kindly mention whether you have taken any vitamin B12 supplement or tablet or injection? Attach your all reports to give more comment. Usually, liver disease, kidney disease, B12 intake, myeloproliferative n... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, My best friend has been suffering lately from deficiency of vitamin B12. Our doctor informed us that he suffers from depression and anxiety because of vitamin deficiency. Is it possible? His dad died when he was 10, so I observed that he takes it so seriously when he feels that he is n... Read Full »
Psychiatrist
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, vitamin B12 deficiency causes severe depression. Also, thoughts like not being able to fulfil duties can induce guilt and worse depression. Please take your friend to a psychiatrist for treatment with a combination of antidepressants and cognitive behavio... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 24 year old female. I got married a year ago. I am an audiologist. I am having pain in my shoulder, hand, neck and back more in the left side of the body. Sometimes, I feel tremor in my fingers and hand and pain throughout the nerves of hand. I have these symptoms for almost 8 mont... Read Full »
Internal Medicine Physician
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed the attached reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I would here by say that you may not believe vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency are very common in some races and we always misdiagnose these symptoms. Your symptoms are due to an... Read Full »