Are you always tired? Are you pale? Let's learn about Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

Do you feel too tired to do your daily tasks? Do you feel dizzy even after walking for a while? Does your face look pale when you look through the mirror? You may think that these are just normal things, fatigue caused by overwork. However, these can be signs that something is wrong with your body. Today we are going to talk about a condition that many people have but are not aware of.

What is Vitamin Deficiency Anemia?

Simply put, this is a condition that occurs when our bodies do not produce enough healthy red blood cells. It's like a factory running out of raw materials to make a good product. Two of the "ingredients" that are essential for our bodies to make healthy red blood cells are vitamin B12 and vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) . When these are lacking, the body produces abnormal red blood cells that are larger than normal and cannot function properly.

Think about it, red blood cells are the vehicles that carry oxygen throughout our bodies. If these vehicles are not properly formed, they cannot do their job of transporting oxygen properly. The condition caused by these abnormally large red blood cells is also called macrocytic or megaloblastic anemia in medical science.

Why are vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate) so important?

Both of these vitamins are essential for many functions in our bodies. One of the most important of these is the production of red blood cells. When you don't get enough of them, as mentioned earlier, not only do the red blood cells that are produced in the body lose their shape, but their lifespan is also reduced. They die faster than normal cells.

What happens then? The number of cells in the body that can carry oxygen decreases. This is what we call " anemia ." This is why we start to feel tired and lethargic.

Who is most at risk of developing this condition?

There are two main reasons for this. One is that we don't eat enough of these vitamins . The other is that even if we do eat them, our bodies can't absorb them properly.

This risk is slightly higher for the following people:

• Dietary problems: For those who eat less foods rich in vitamin B12 and folate (meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables).
• Problems with nutrient absorption: Some diseases prevent the body from absorbing the nutrients in the food we eat. For example:
• Celiac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pernicious anemia: This is a bit of a special condition. Our stomach needs a special protein in order to absorb vitamin B12 from the food we eat. This is called ``Intrinsic factor''. Some people's bodies do not produce this protein. Then, no matter how much B12 they eat, their bodies cannot absorb it. This is also a cause of anemia.

Do you also have these symptoms?

The symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia may not be noticeable at first. They develop gradually, over months, or even years. Check the chart below to see if you have any of these symptoms.

In addition to these physical symptoms, vitamin deficiency can also cause psychological effects. Depression , inability to concentrate , and forgetfulness can occur. Sometimes, if an elderly person has a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, it can be mistaken for dementia.

What are the main reasons for this?

In addition to the risk factors we discussed earlier, several other reasons can affect this.

• Some medications: Some medications given for diseases like seizures.
• Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol impairs the body's absorption of nutrients.
• Gastric surgery: Vitamin absorption may be reduced after things like weight loss surgery.
• Intestinal worms: Caused by parasites such as tapeworms.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: During these times, the body's need for folate (B9) is higher, so deficiencies can occur.
• People on dialysis for kidney disease: These people also have a higher tendency to lose folate from their bodies.

How do you find this, Doctor?

If you have these symptoms, your doctor can diagnose the condition with a simple blood test. This blood test mainly looks for:

• How are your blood levels of vitamin B12 and folate ?
• How big are your red blood cells, how big are they, and what shape are they ?

If the doctor suspects a condition like ``(pernicious anemia),'' he may also perform several other special tests.

What are the treatments for this?

The main goal of treating this is to restore the levels of the vitamin in your body to the proper levels. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment regimen and dosage for you.

Vitamin B12 or folate supplements can be taken in various ways:

• Swallowed pills
• Sublingual tablets
• Nasal spray
• Injection
• A liquid given into a vein through a syringe (Intravenous - IV)

You will usually need to continue this treatment until your vitamin levels return to normal. It is also very important to change your diet.

However, if you have this vitamin deficiency due to another underlying condition, such as an absorption problem, you may need long-term treatment to prevent the condition from recurring.

What problems can occur if left untreated?

In most cases, this condition resolves completely with proper treatment. However, if left untreated, it can cause serious long-term problems.

• Nervous system problems: Severe neurological disorders such as numbness in the limbs, difficulty walking.
• Heart disease: Risk of heart weakness and heart failure.
• Complications during pregnancy: Impact on the development of the baby.
• Fertility problems: Difficulty having children.

So don't ignore these symptoms.

What should we eat to avoid this condition?

The best way to reduce the risk of this condition is to eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins B12 and B9 (folate).

You can ask your doctor how much vitamin you need per day. He or she will also advise you to take a vitamin supplement if necessary.

Anemia, Vitamin Deficiency, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Folate, Blood deficiency, Fatigue, Paleness, B12 deficiency