Are you always tired? This could be a sign of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia.

Do you also feel tired and lifeless all day long? Do you feel weak even after doing small tasks? Sometimes we think these are normal things and ignore them. But behind this constant fatigue, there may be a health problem that we don't think about, namely anemia (blood deficiency) caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Today, let's talk about this simply and kindly.

What is anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency?

Simply put, this is a condition where our body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. The reason for this is a lack of vitamin B12. Think about it, these red blood cells work like a delivery service to carry oxygen throughout our body. To make these red blood cells, our body needs iron and vitamins, especially vitamin B12. When there is not enough vitamin B12, the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells. Then the organs in the body do not get enough oxygen. This is why we start feeling tired, weak, and have difficulty breathing.

Why do we lack vitamin B12? Some of the main reasons

Vitamin B12 deficiency can have several causes. It could be due to the food we eat, or it could be due to another medical condition in the body.

1. The body cannot absorb B12 (Absorption Problems)

This is the most common reason. Even though we get B12 from food, our intestines are unable to absorb it.

• Pernicious Anemia: This is the leading cause of B12 deficiency in the world. What happens here is that our body's own immune system mistakenly attacks certain cells in the stomach. These cells produce a special protein called 'Intrinsic Factor' that helps absorb vitamin B12 . Without this protein, the body cannot absorb it, no matter how much B12 we eat.
• Stomach and intestinal diseases : If you have conditions like Crohn's disease or Celiac disease , B12 absorption may be impaired.
• Surgery: B12 absorption may be reduced after some gastric bypass surgeries for weight loss .

2. Diet

Vitamin B12 is naturally found mostly in animal foods, such as meat, fish, milk, and eggs.

3. Some medical conditions and medications

• Conditions like diabetes and HIV can cause low B12 levels. Excessive alcohol consumption is also a major cause.
• Some medications can also cause B12 levels to decrease with long-term use. For example, the diabetes drug Metformin and some medications to reduce stomach acid (Proton Pump Inhibitors) can affect this.

4. Other causes. Age over 65: As you age, stomach acid production naturally decreases. This makes it harder to separate and absorb B12 from food.

• Tapeworm infections: These parasites feed on the vitamin B12 we consume.
• Nitrous oxide gas: Abuse of this gas, also known as 'laughing gas', can impair the body's absorption of B12.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

Because vitamin B12 can be stored in our bodies, it can take 2-5 years for symptoms of deficiency to appear. There may be no symptoms at all in the early stages. Symptoms can be divided into three main categories.

How do I find out if this is available?

If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. He or she will examine you and ask about your symptoms, diet, and medications. They may then recommend some tests, such as:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC/FBC): This checks the size and shape of your red blood cells. In B12 deficiency, red blood cells become larger than normal and take on a different shape.
• Vitamin B12 level test: This checks whether there is enough B12 in the blood.
• Other specialized tests: Sometimes, specialized tests such as `Intrinsic Factor Antibodies` or `Methylmalonic Acid (MMA)` levels may be done to pinpoint the cause.

How is it treated?

The best thing is that this condition is usually very easy to treat. 1. Diet: Include foods rich in vitamin B12 in your diet.

• Beef, liver, chicken
• Fish and shellfish (e.g. salmon, tuna)
• Fortified breakfast cereals with vitamin B12
• Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Eggs

2. Vitamin Supplements: Your doctor may recommend B12 pills or a nasal spray. 3. B12 Injections: If the deficiency is severe or if the body has trouble absorbing B12, B12 injections may be necessary. These injections may need to be taken for life. In rare cases, a blood transfusion may be necessary if there is a risk of a serious emergency, such as a heart attack.

What are the risks if left untreated?

If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated for a long time, it can lead to serious health problems, especially irreversible damage to the nervous system.

• Visual impairments
• Memory loss
• Difficulty walking (Ataxia)
• Permanent damage to limbs
• Temporary infertility
• Increased risk of stomach cancer
• If a pregnant mother has a B12 deficiency, the unborn child is at risk of developing serious birth defects of the nervous system (Neural Tube Defect).

So avoid ignoring the symptoms. Vitamin B12, Anemia, Fatigue, Numbness in the limbs, Pernicious Anemia, Nutrition