Vitamin B12 deficiency: Causes
Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when less of the vitamin is supplied or absorbed than the body needs over a long period of time. Increased consumption or loss of vitamin B can also cause blood levels of vitamin B12 to drop. In addition, certain medications can promote vitamin B12 deficiency.
In summary, here are the main triggers for vitamin B12 deficiency:
- Deficiency of intrinsic factor (a protein produced in the stomach and necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12): Such a deficiency may result from (partial) removal of the stomach or from chronic atrophic gastritis (a form of gastritis).
- Impaired absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestine, e.g. due to chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), celiac disease or partial removal of the intestine.
- Taking certain medications: omeprazole (for heartburn and peptic ulcer), metformin (for diabetes).
Risk groups for vitamin B12 deficiency also include alcoholics, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: symptoms
The body needs vitamin B12 for various processes, such as nerve function, cell division and blood formation. Therefore, vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms affect eyes as well as hair, nerves and muscles. However, anemia is one of the first symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Consequences can also be:
- Disturbances of cell division in skin and mucous membranes
- Hair loss
- Muscle weakness
- Tiredness, lack of concentration, poor memory
- headaches, migraines
- Degeneration of the optic nerve
- Depression
- Food intolerances, allergies
- In infants: (severe) developmental disorders
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Diagnostics
For a long time, the standard for vitamin B12 deficiency was the measurement of total vitamin B12 in serum. However, this is a late and non-specific biomarker – i.e., a less sensitive vitamin B12 deficiency test. More informative is the measurement of holotranscobalamin (holo-TC). It indicates the status of the actual active vitamin B12. However, this vitamin B12 test is twice as expensive as the standard test.
