Vitamin b12 defficiency ?

Question

I have got my blood test reports and i have viitamin b12 defficieny. it 144 pg/ml when normal ranges between 240-900 pg/ml. doctor has suggested supplements + INJECTIONS !!!

Are injections necessary ? i dont want them.

Answer 1

B12 injections very well be necessary if you lack the intrinsic factor in your stomach necessary to absorb B12 from food/supplements.  This is very common in older people.  If the deficiency is caused by a lack of B12 in the diet, just supplementation would work.  Looking at your results, you are quite low in B12, and initial injections to quickly increase your B12 levels in addition to long term supplementation/ high B12 foods to maintain levels looks like a reasonable treatment plan to me.

Good luck!

Answer 2

B12 deficiency is a reduction in vitamin B12 from inadequate dietary intake or impaired absorption. The condition is commonly asymptomatic, but can also present as anemia characterized by enlarged blood corpuscles, so-called megaloblastic anemia. However in serious cases deficiency can potentially cause severe and irreversible damage to the nervous system.

The anemia is thought to be due to problems in DNA synthesis, specifically in the synthesis of thymine, which is dependent on products of the MTR reaction. Other cell lines such as white blood cells and platelets are often also low. Bone marrow examination may show megaloblastic hemopoiesis. The anemia is easy to cure with vitamin B12.

Answer 3

Vitamin B deficiency can be caused by two different things:

(1) Lack of Vitamin B inyour diet .  This is uncommon, and is most often seen in vegans.  Dietary deficiencies can be treated by altering your diet.

(2) Lack of Intrinsic factor.  IF is required for adequeate absorption of vitamin B.  If this is the cae, you will need injections of vitamin B, since you are unable to absorb the vitamin from your intestinres.

(3)  There are other less common causes, but expolre these with your physician first.

Either way, it is a very tretable condition.  Don't be a weanine with the needles.

Answer 4

Try Sublingual B-12 supplements. They have much better absorption than normal swallowed tablets, so you may be able to use them instead (see how your blood levels changes after using the supplement a week or so).

I've used these in the past and liked them:

http://www.sublingualb12.com/