When vitamin B12 does not get absorbed in the intestine or when one does not eat enough vitamin B12 in their diet.
For vitamin B12 to be absorbed, a protein called an intrinsic factor needs to be produced by the parietal cells found in the stomach, this then binds to the vitamin B12.
A lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anaemia.
According to the NIH, The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDAs)for vitamin B12 are as follows:
Age 0-6 months: 0.4 µg in males and females
Age 7-12 months: 0.5 µg in males and females
Age 1-3 years: 0.9 µg in males and females
Age 4-8 years: 1.2 µg in males and females
Age 9-13 years: 1.8 µg in males and females
Age ≥ 14 years: 2.4 µg in males and females, 2.6 µg in pregnant individuals, 2.8 µg in lactating individuals
Cause
Pernicious anaemia
An auto-immune condition – when vitamin B12 can’t be absorbed in the stomach via intrinsic factor found in your stomach
As one gets older especially over the age of 50 years old
One find passing stools difficult (can be painful) and constipated?
Cold hand and feet which can be numb and painful?
Nerve shock-It can be felt coming on a few seconds before it hits, and then it hits almost like a mild but deep electric shock and quickly subsides. It can occur at the side of either hip or on either side of the upper body, along the ribs?
Tingling along the back of one or both thighs?
Pins and needles (paraesthesia) on hands and fingers?
Numbness on leg and foot area?
Tingling pain may begin to occur along the outside edge of the hand, starting from the wrist. This pain occurs when the wrist is flexed backward?
Condition in which the bone marrow produces unusually large, structurally abnormal, immature red blood cells (megaloblasts) and this cause a lack of folic acid and/or vitamin b12, hence further tests are required to differentiate from other forms of anaemia especially pernicious anaemia which is a lack of vitamin b12.
These blood cells are very slow moving have low amount of haemoglobin and not as many of the red blood cells are produced resulting in anaemia.
Cognitive impairment (including dementia-like symptoms and/or acute psychosis- confusion, disturbed thoughts, interpret things differently from those around them)
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Low Vitamin B12 Levels in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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