People who eat a vegan diet and older adults who don't eat a variety of foods may need to take a daily vitamin pill to get enough B Other causes include drinking alcohol and taking some prescription and nonprescription medicines. The amount of vitamin B12 you need depends on your age. If your vitamin B12 deficiency is mild, you may not have symptoms or you may not notice them. Some people may think they are just the result of growing older.
As the anemia gets worse, you may:. If the level of vitamin B12 stays low for a long time, it can damage your nerve cells. If this happens, you may have:.
Your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your past health and how you are feeling now. You will also have blood tests to check the number of red blood cells and to see if your body has enough vitamin B The level of folic acid , another B vitamin, will be checked too. Some people whose vitamin B12 levels are too low also have low levels of folic acid. The two problems can cause similar symptoms. But they are treated differently. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is treated with supplements of vitamin B Taking supplements brings your level of vitamin B12 back to normal, so you do not have symptoms.
To keep your level of vitamin B12 normal, you will probably need to take supplements for the rest of your life. If you stop taking them, you'll get anemia again. Your vitamin B12 supplements might be pills or shots. If you use shots, you can learn to give them to yourself at home.
For many people, pills work just as well as shots. They also cost less and are easier to take. If you have been getting shots, ask your doctor if you can switch to pills. You can take steps at home to improve your health by eating a varied diet that includes meat, milk, cheese, and eggs, which are good sources of vitamin B Also, eat plenty of foods that contain folic acid, another type of B vitamin.
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The following groups of people are more likely than others to experience low vitamin B levels:. Doctors usually use a blood test to check vitamin B status, but home urine tests are also available. A doctor can check vitamin B as part of a standard blood test.
Although it is not necessary to fast before a B test, a person may need to if the doctor is also using the test to look at other components in the blood. It is important that individuals tell their doctor about any medications and supplements they are taking, as some can affect the results.
The result ranges vary from one laboratory to another, so it is important to discuss the results and their meaning with a doctor. The doctor may also check the levels of methylmalonic acid MMA and other substances to evaluate for vitamin B deficiency. These lab values help detect a vitamin B deficiency during the early stages. Individuals with low vitamin B levels often require regular injections of the vitamin. These shots are more effective than supplements at raising vitamin B levels, especially when people have medical conditions that may make it more difficult to absorb supplements.
For some people, high doses of vitamin B supplements may improve B status. Supplements are available in capsule or liquid form from pharmacies, supermarkets, health stores, and online. It may also be helpful to eat more foods that are rich in vitamin B There is no upper limit for vitamin B intake because consuming high levels does not cause problems. However, having naturally high levels of vitamin B in the body may be a cause for concern, as it suggests a severe underlying condition.
Doctors will aim to treat the underlying medical condition, rather than the elevated levels of vitamin B Although absorption difficulties and other medical issues often cause low vitamin B levels, some people may be deficient because they do not get enough vitamin B from their diet. This is especially true for vegans and long-term vegetarians. Vitamin supplements can make up for a shortfall in the diet, especially for vegans and strict vegetarians.
As it can be easier for their body to absorb supplements than naturally occurring vitamin B, older adults should aim to meet their vitamin B needs through fortified foods and vitamin supplements. Adults and adolescents over 14 years of age require 2. This increases to 2. Vitamin B is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in overall health. A doctor may recommend this test to people who have symptoms of a deficiency or who have a higher risk of low vitamin B in the body.
People can avoid vitamin B deficiency by eating a balanced diet and including several sources of vitamin B daily or taking supplements.
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