What is a Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?
- A Vitamin B-12 deficiency is another type of anemia, a condition characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells
- About 47 million people in the US may have Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
What are the symptoms of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia can be very difficult to detect. You may experience some of the following:
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Severe Fatigue and Weakness
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Easy bruising or bleeding
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Bleeding gums
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Sore tongue
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Stomach pain
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Pale skin
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Chest Pain
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Weight loss
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Loss of appetite
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Diarrhea
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Constipation
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Exhaustion
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Breathing Difficulties
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Dizziness
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Fast or irregular heartbeat
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Pounding or “whooshing” in your ears
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Headache
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Cold hands or feet
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Pale or yellow skin
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Chest pain
If this deficiency is not addressed and treated, these complications may arise:
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Tingling or numbness in the fingers and toes
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Difficulty walking
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Depression
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Mood changes
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Anxiety
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Memory loss
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Disorientation
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Dementia
Contact our office today if you believe you may be at risk and/or are experiencing some of the symptoms listed above. Our team of doctors will determine the course of treatment that is best suited for you.
What Causes Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?
This deficiency is primarily associated with food-bound malabsorption and a diet lacking in vitamin B-12, which is found mainly in meat, eggs, and milk.
Patients with B-12 deficiency along with a history of excessive alcohol intake and poor dietary intake may have underlying malabsorption conditions.
What is the treatment for Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?
Treatment consists of taking in vitamin B-12 by mouth or by injection, initially in high daily oral doses.If your anemia is due to a chronic disease, treatment of the underlying disease will often improve the anemia. At Hematology Oncology Care, infusions are done in the privacy and harmony of our on-site suites.