Vitamin B12 Deficiency Treatment

Vitamin B complex consists of 8 different types of vitamins that are soluble in water. Vitamin B12 belongs to this group of vitamins. Its unique characteristics are its complex structure and presence of a rare element like cobalt in it. Like other B vitamins, it has a major role in cell metabolism. It is important for healthy functioning of the brain and nervous system. Besides, it is involved with various other life processes including formation of red blood cells, repair of body cells, detoxification of body and so on. In short, vitamin B12 is essential for normal growth and functioning of the body. Vitamin B12 deficiency treatment largely depends on the causes and symptoms of the problem.

Risk Factors

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be found both in women as well as men. However, there are some people who are at a higher risk of deficiency. Vitamin B12 is rarely found in vegetables. The main dietary sources of vitamin B12 are animal proteins such as meat, eggs, shellfish, dairy products, etc. Those people who are strict vegans often develop this deficiency as they do not get sufficient amount of vitamin B12 from their diet. This vitamin deficiency commonly occurs during pregnancy. This happens because a large amount of vitamin B12 from the mother's body is being utilized for the development of the fetus. Elderly people tend to suffer from the lack of vitamin B12 as their body is unable to absorb the required amount of the vitamin.

Symptoms

The signs of B12 deficiency have a lot of similarity with iron deficiency anemia. Some of the most commonly observed symptoms are as follows:

• Fatigue and Weakness
• Breathing difficulty
• Dizziness
• Persistent headache
• Digestive problem
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Depression
• Hallucination

How to Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency

When you are suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency, you must visit a doctor as early as possible for further treatment. They first ascertain the underlying cause and then start the treatment. For mild to moderate deficiency, they prescribe oral supplements for the vitamin in order to reverse the deficiency. Initially, a high dosage supplement is given for one month in order to ensure faster recovery from the deficiency. Later on, a lower dosage is recommended which may have to be continued for almost one year. Along with the supplement, it is equally important that you obtain at least 4 mcg of vitamin B12 from your dietary sources as well. For this reason, you have to increase the consumption of foods that are rich in vitamin B12. Those who are vegetarian should have more and more dairy products on a daily basis. Others should have chicken, meat, oyster, eggs, saltwater fish, etc.

Most cases of vitamin B complex deficiency during pregnancy are resolved with the help of prenatal vitamins. However, if it is a serious case, then treatment during pregnancy involves the use of vitamin B12 shots for some time. They are also known as hydroxocobalamin. The advantage of these intramuscular injections is that the vitamin enters directly into the bloodstream. Thus it can reduce the deficiency to a great extent within 6 weeks or so. Alternatively, vitamin B12 patches are available which can also give similar kind of results.

During the course of the treatment, you should avoid antacids as it can lower the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach which facilitate better absorption of vitamin B12 in the body. Moreover, you must stay away from alcohol as it tends to interfere with the absorption of B12 in the body, leading to deficiency.

Finally, I would like to tell you that do not delay the treatment. This is because it may lead to unnecessary health complications. You should also not start the treatment on your own with over the counter supplements. A heavy dosage of the vitamin supplements may cause toxicity of vitamin B12 which is harmful to your health.