What does a B12 deficiency look like?

Older people are one of the main groups at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, with a deficiency rate of 10-15%.3 As we age, our production of hydrochloric acid weakens, which impairs digestion and reduces the amount of B12 that can be absorbed. This health problem is called atrophic gastritis and affects between 10-30% of individuals.3
By Health First
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à quoi ressemble une carence en B12

The elderly are one of the main risk groups for vitamin B12 deficiency, with a deficiency rate of 10-15%.3 As we age, our production of hydrochloric acid weakens, which impairs digestion and reduces the amount of B12 that can be absorbed. This health problem is called atrophic gastritis and affects between 10 and 30% of individuals.3 In addition, people with low hydrochloric acid levels are likely to have higher levels of intestinal bacteria, which consume even more B12. Elderly people who cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 through diet must take it orally or by injection. As we will see, a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause serious health problems for the elderly.

People with digestive disorders may have trouble getting enough B12 from their diet. People with celiac disease or Crohn's disease cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 during digestion. In addition, people who have had gastrointestinal surgery are at risk of B12 deficiency due to the loss of hydrochloric acid-producing cells.4

Those who suffer from pernicious anemia also have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12. People with this condition lack the intrinsic factor necessary for B12 absorption.5 These individuals usually require an oral supplement or B12 injection to meet their needs.

Vegetarians are another group at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 is only present in animal-derived foods in the diet: fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and dairy products. Plant-based foods do not provide B12 for humans: it was once thought that some plant-based products, such as vegetables, contained B12, but in fact, they only contain a pseudovitamin B12 that does not have the same benefits.6

Groups at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

  • the elderly (approximately 10-15%)
  • people with celiac disease or Crohn's disease
  • people who have undergone gastric surgery (almost a third)
  • vegetarians
  • people with neuropsychiatric disorders
  • people with chronic fatigue
  • antibiotic users (possible absorption problems)

Signs of B12 deficiency


Vitamin B12 deficiency can be confirmed by a healthcare practitioner by testing homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels in the blood.7 There are several signs indicating that these tests should be done.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

  • Reduced red blood cell count (megaloblastic anemia)
  • Decreased energy / increased fatigue / weakness
  • Pale skin
  • Shortness of breath, palpitations, tingling, numbness
  • Cognitive changes: concentration problems, memory loss, irritability
  • Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, flatulence
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite / weight
  • Visual disturbances
  • Sensitive tongue

*Note: a diagnosis must be made by a healthcare professional

Benefits of B12 supplementation


Studies have shown that supplementation is very effective in treating vitamin B12 deficiency and its associated symptoms. Often touted as an "energy booster," there is unfortunately only anecdotal evidence to support this claim for people who do not suffer from B12 deficiency.8 For people with B12 deficiencies, however, the effects of a vitamin B12 supplement can be surprising: the many symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency disappear. Supplementation can help treat megaloblastic anemia (reduced red blood cell and hemoglobin count), low energy, fatigue, and cognitive problems such as difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and memory impairment.

Some of these problems, if not treated quickly, can become permanent. Due to the severity of the effects of a deficiency, some specialists recommend that all elderly people's B12 levels should be checked.9 B12 could also help treat allergic reactions to sulfites.10

B12, a member of the B vitamin family, is an important nutrient for maintaining human health. B12 is involved in many metabolic functions, including red blood cell formation, neurological function, DNA synthesis, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.1

Although the majority of us get enough of this vitamin through our daily diet, there are several groups, representing nearly 15% of the total population, at risk of a deficiency that can have serious consequences.2

References:

  1. Vitamin B12 Monograph. Health Canada. January 29, 2014.
  2. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12. Office of Dietary Supplements
    • National Institutes of Health. June 24, 2011.
  3. ibid.
  4. ibid.
  5. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12. Office of Dietary Supplements
  6. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Medical Economics Company Inc. 2001. p. 482.
  7. Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12. Office of Dietary Supplements
  8. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Medical Economics Company Inc. 2001. p. 481.
  9. p. 482.
  10. p. 482.