Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

Question: my husband has a vitamin b 12 deficiency and he abuses oxycontin, how does this all effect his system? my husband has a vitamin b 12 deficiency, he receives injections weekly but he also abuses marijuana and a drug called oxycontin. How will all of this affect his system??

Answer: 1) Oxycontin won't destroy your brain. Wake up. 2) Both these drugs won't really effect his deficiency in a real dangerous way 3) Are you sure he's abusing them, or not just taking them medically. 4) That is all

Question: Is a vitamin B 12 deficiency a major medical problem? My doctor has reccomended Noscobel spray as I have a major deficiency in my b12 level. I have chronic Q fever and struggle with my health. What are the side effects of this medicine? Thanks for your help.

Answer: To answer your first question-- yes, a major B12 deficiency can be a major medical problem. From my perspective, its hugest problem is causing neurological problems from neuropathies to even deadly strokes. Now, with chronic Q fever you might have heart problems and heart valve problems from this. These heart valve problems could make you even MORE at risk for a stroke. And, with possible heart valve disease, your anemia could be made even worse! So, rather than relying on a wikipedia entry on B12 deficiency, please do know that in your clinical context, this is DEFINITELY considered a major medical problem and B12 must be corrected. Q fever is pretty rare! How on earth did you get this? What was your occupation and where are you from?

Question: Vitamin B-12 Deficiency & Marijuana...please help!? My friend has vitamin b-12 deficiency and wants to know the risks of smoking marijuana if there are any. Can this be a dangerous hobby given the b-12 illness? Thanks yes habit* not hobby, thanks

Answer: How about neither a habit or a hobby. Casually smoking Marijuana will not impact the b12 deficiency. A b12 supplement can be taken. B12 is water soluble and heavy hydration is probably to blame.

Question: Vitamin B 12 deficiency? Just found out I have a B 12 deficiency ... how is that possible if I eat a fair share of meat, etc. and have taken supplements? What other vitamins or meds may interfere with my absorption? Ways to aid the absorption? What are the effects of this deficiency? (waiting for doctor's appt. and tired of conflicting info on google sites) Thanks.

Answer: Here are some of the causes of B-12 deficiency: vegan diet intestinal surgery tape worm the drug metaformin taken for diabetes giardiasis( a parasite) alcohol abuse diseases: MTHFTR deficiency homocystinuria transconalamin deficiency

Question: In the Vegan diet there is a concern the individual may suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency.? In the Vegan diet there is a concern the individual may suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. What precaution could be made in order to avoid this problem? a.)Take a Vitamin Supplement b) Purchase Fortified Soy products/Fortified Cereals c.) Prepare foods with Olive Oil d.) Answers a and b And my other question is how is a DASH diet and a Vegan Diet the same? a.) It’s a diet rich in fruits and vegetables b.) It’s a diet low in saturated fats c.) It’s a diet rich in animal products d.) Answers a and b

Answer: This is useful for people worried about that: Vitamin B12 Jump to: Introduction : Functions : Dietary Sources : Required Intakes Introduction Vitamin B12 is a member of the vitamin B complex. It contains cobalt, and so is also known as cobalamin. It is exclusively synthesised by bacteria and is found primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products. There has been considerable research into proposed plant sources of vitamin B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds, and algae such as spirulina have all been suggested as containing significant B12. However, the present consensus is that any B12 present in plant foods is likely to be unavailable to humans and so these foods should not be relied upon as safe sources. Many vegan foods are supplemented with B12. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and growth and development in children. Deficiency can cause anaemia. Vitamin B12 neuropathy, involving the degeneration of nerve fibres and irreversible neurological damage, can also occur. Functions Vitamin B12's primary functions are in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenence of a healthy nervous system. B12 is necessary for the rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division. This is especially important in tissues where cells are dividing rapidly, particularly the bone marrow tissues responsible for red blood cell formation. If B12 deficiency occurs, DNA production is disrupted and abnormal cells called megaloblasts occur. This results in anaemia. Symptoms include excessive tiredness, breathlessness, listlessness, pallor, and poor resistance to infection. Other symptoms can include a smooth, sore tongue and menstrual disorders. Anaemia may also be due to folic acid deficiency, folic acid also being necessary for DNA synthesis. B12 is also important in maintaining the nervous system. Nerves are surrounded by an insulating fatty sheath comprised of a complex protein called myelin. B12 plays a vital role in the metabolism of fatty acids essential for the maintainence of myelin. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage. When deficiency occurs, it is more commonly linked to a failure to effectively absorb B12 from the intestine rather than a dietary deficiency. Absorption of B12 requires the secretion from the cells lining the stomach of a glycoprotein, known as intrinsic factor. The B12-intrinsic factor complex is then absorbed in the ileum (part of the small intestine) in the presence of calcium. Certain people are unable to produce intrinsic factor and the subsequent pernicious anaemia is treated with injections of B12. Vitamin B12 can be stored in small amounts by the body. Total body store is 2-5mg in adults. Around 80% of this is stored in the liver. Vitamin B12 is excreted in the bile and is effectively reabsorbed. This is known as enterohepatic circulation. The amount of B12 excreted in the bile can vary from 1 to 10ug (micrograms) a day. People on diets low in B12, including vegans and some vegetarians, may be obtaining more B12 from reabsorption than from dietary sources. Reabsorption is the reason it can take over 20 years for deficiency disease to develop in people changing to diets absent in B12. In comparison, if B12 deficiency is due to a failure in absorption it can take only 3 years for deficiency disease to occur. Dietary Sources The only reliable unfortified sources of vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs. There has been considerable research into possible plant food sources of B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds and algae have all been proposed as possible sources of B12. However, analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B12. Spirulina, an algae available as a dietary supplement in tablet form, and nori, a seaweed, have both appeared to contain significant amounts of B12 after analysis. However, it is thought that this is due to the presence of compounds structurally similar to B12, known as B12 analogues. These cannot be utilised to satisfy dietary needs. Assay methods used to detect B12 are unable to differentiate between B12 and it's analogues, Analysis of possible B12 sources may give false positive results due to the presence of these analogues. Researchers have suggested that supposed B12 supplements such as spirulina may in fact increase the risk of B12 deficiency disease, as the B12 analogues can compete with B12 and inhibit metabolism. The current nutritional consensus is that no plant foods can be relied on as a safe source of vitamin B12. Bacteria present in the large intestine are able to synthesise B12. In the past, it has been thought that the B12 produced by these colonic bacteria could be absorbed and utilised by humans. However, the bacteria produce B12 too far down the intestine for absorption to occur, B12 not being absorbed through the colon lining. Human faeces can contain significant B12. A study has shown that a group of Iranian vegans obtained adequate B12 from unwashed vegetables which had been fertilised with human manure. Faecal contamination of vegetables and other plant foods can make a significant contribution to dietary needs, particularly in areas where hygiene standards may be low. This may be responsible for the lack of aneamia due to B12 deficiency in vegan communities in developing countries. Good sources of vitamin B12 for vegetarians are dairy products or free-range eggs. ½ pint of milk (full fat or semi skimmed) contains 1.2 µg. A slice of vegetarian cheddar cheese (40g) contains 0.5 µg. A boiled egg contains 0.7 µg. Fermentation in the manufacture of yoghurt destroys much of the B12 present. Boiling milk can also destroy much of the B12. Vegans are recommended to ensure their diet includes foods fortified with vitamin B12. A range of B12 fortified foods are available. These include yeast extracts, Vecon vegetable stock, veggieburger mixes, textured vegetable protein, soya milks, vegetable and sunflower margarines, and breakfast cereals

Question: What are the symptoms of a Vitamin B-12 deficiency? ...specifically -- beyond the obvious lack of energy.

Answer: If your vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is mild, you may not have symptoms or you may not notice them. Some people may think they are just the result of growing older. Symptoms develop slowly over years, as the amount of vitamin B12 absorbed by the body decreases and the vitamin B12 stored in your body is used up. As the anemia becomes worse, you may have:1, 2 Weakness. Fatigue. Lightheadedness. A pale appearance. A sore, red tongue or bleeding gums. Loss of taste and appetite with weight loss. Diarrhea or constipation. A rapid heartbeat or chest pain. Shortness of breath upon exertion. Low levels of vitamin B12 cause damage to the brain and nerve cells. The symptoms this causes may be the first ones you notice. They can include:2 Numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes. Poor balance and coordination. Forgetfulness. Depression. Confusion. Difficulty thinking and concentrating. Impaired judgment and poor control of impulses. A decreased ability to sense vibration. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Dementia, a decline in mental abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Question: Vitamin B 12 deficiency? what are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency??

Answer: Neurological dysfunction is one of the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Normally vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper functioning of brain cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency causes tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. Since it is important for the proper functioning of brain cells, so its deficiency may lead to decreased mental alertness, misunderstanding, short temper and hopelessness, decreased energy level. Vitamin B12 deficiency may also result in pernicious anemia that is deficiency of blood cells due to the lack of B-12. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency develop slowly. Mild anemic condition may not be noticeable but when anemia becomes worse, it result in weakness, fatigue, a pale appearance, weight loss, loss of appetite, forgetfulness, depression, confusion and decreased cognition function. Basically all the vitamins are essential for the body in attaining good health. If anyone of them is deficient, you should try to adjust its concentration in your body by taking it in your diet either through food or food supplement. Basic purpose is to boost your health. if you cannot maintain the healthy level of Vitamin B 12 in your body through your diet, hen the best option will be go for the herbal food supplements like B-12 Dots, Methyl B-12, Advanced B-12 Complex etc. you can find many of them at any food center or if you are looking for any online store then visit this store. It contains good B-12 supplements http://www.herbsmd.com/supplement518/B-12.htm

Question: I want to know if I have a vitamin B-12 deficiency? I am having a few problems and I think this might be the key

Answer: Vitamin B12 levels can be checked by simple blood tests to determine if you are deficient. B12 deficiency leads to anemia (low red cell counts) and some neurologic problems. The anemia may not have any symptoms or it can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, paleness or lightheadness. B12 deficiency can also be associated with numbness, tingling and weakness especially of the lower extremities. It also can be associated with memory problems and dementia. So go see your doctor if you are concerned to have the blood test and determine if you need B12 supplementation. Good luck.

Question: Can anyone answer my questions concerning vitamin b-12 deficiency and anemia? After a series of blood tests, it was found that I have anemia and B-12 deficiency. I am taking an oral iron supplement and was prescribed B-12 shots, which I am giving myself. I've been reading about this deficiency and the symptoms, etc. For well over a year, I have had fatigue and tiredness that is all but debilitating...I go to work then come home too exhausted to do much else, and no matter how much sleep or rest I get, I never feel well rested. Also, last fall I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but upon reading about the deficiency, I learned that it can cause irritability, mood swings, forgetfulness and depression. What are the chances that I was not suffering from bipolar at all...that it was all a result of the B-12 deficiency? ANY info or experience with this problem will be very helpful. Thanks.

Answer: You never know you may have been misdiagnosed humans make mistakes. One symptom is behavioral change (i put arrows around it below... Your body requires very little vitamin b12 or cobalamin and most of us get sufficient quantities of it in our normal meals to satisfy our daily requirements. Although it's rare to see vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms it can still be useful to be able to recognise them just in case.You're most vulnerable to vitamin b12 deficiency if you've vegan and don't use the available dietary supplements containing vitamin b12. Infants breast-feeding from vegan mothers can also be at risk. Vitamin b12 supplements are generally regarded as safe because there are few known adverse effects of overdose. The main symptom that arises from vitamin b12 deficiency is a type of anemia that causes you to feel tired, weak and lethargic. You might also feel nauseous, constipated and become very flatulent (gas). You may also lose your appetite and suffer weight loss. More severe cases can give vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms, which include: Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet Insomnia Loss of memory Dizziness Lack of balance Depression Digestive problems Dizziness Liver enlargement Eye problems Headaches Hallucinations Inflamed tongue Breathing difficulties Loss of memory Palpitations Neurological damage Tinitus or ringing in the ears Vitamin b12 is commonly found in animal products like eggs, dairy, fish, meat and animal organs. B12 is rarely found in vegetables, which is why vegetarians and especially vegans who don't eat dairy products or meat, are especially at risk. If you fall into this category then you should consider using vitamin supplements containing b12.It's also important to realise that the operation of vitamin b12 is dependent on sufficient quantities of other vitamins being present in your body so you should take care to get a balanced diet to avoid vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Early, Noticeable Symptoms of Overt B12 Deficiency: unusual fatigue,faulty digestion, no appetite, nausea, loss of menstruation Other symptoms of Overt B12 Deficiency: numbness and tingling of the hands and feet1 nervousness1 diarrhea2 mild depression1 ------>striking behavioral changes1 <------- paranoia1 hyperactive reflexes1 fever3 f requent upper respiratory infections4 impotence5 impaired memory5 infertility6 sore tongue2 enlargement of the mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, and stomach117 macrocytic anemia low platelet count3,7 and increased bleeding3 neutropenia3 Neurological symptoms, often referred to as subacute combined degeneration (SCD), are the biggest concern regarding B12 deficiency. The damage can be irreversible if not caught early enough. SCD affects peripheral nerves and the spinal cord, and is normally different in children than adults.8 .Theories of How B12 Deficiency Causes Nerve DamageThere are 3 main theories as to how B12 deficiency causes nerve damage: 1. B12 deficiency produces a lack of methionine for conversion into S-adenosylmethionine (SAM).9 SAM is required for the production of phosphatidylcholine10 which is part of the myelin (the fatty material that insulates many nerves).10 (See Figure: Methionine-Homocysteine-Folate-B12 Cycle.) 2. The inability to convert methylmalonyl-CoA (a 3-carbon molecule) to succinyl-CoA (a 4-carbon molecule) results in an accumulation of propionyl-CoA (a 3-carbon molecule). Fatty acids are normally made by adding 2 carbons at a time to an even numbered carbon molecule. In an overabundance of 3 carbon molecules, large amounts of unusual 15-carbon and 17-carbon fatty acids may be produced and incorporated into nerve sheets, causing altered nerve function.11 3. Nerves are damaged by different hormone-like molecules (cytokines, tumor necrosis factor, and epidermal growth factor) which become unbalanced in the nerve tissue in B12 deficiency.8 When is it Time to Call a doctor?There are some serious diseases that have similarities to B12 deficiency, including Guillian-Barre syndrome, Lyme neuropathy, heavy metal intoxication, and lupus myelopathy.12 Anyone who develops symptoms of nerve damage should see a doctor immediately for treatment.

Question: I have anemia because of a vitamin b 12 deficiency, what are the best foods to raise it up with? Like my post says I was diagnosed with mild anemia, about 2 weeks ago. So far the doctors told me not to worry and to eat more green vegetables. Then after a few months to come back and take a new blood test to see if things have improved. She gave me an explanation that confused me a bit (she had a pretty thick accent), but the gist is that I'm not getting enough vitamin b12, and I think folic acid, I'm not too sure about that one. But for certain I need more vitamin b12. So does anyone know which foods would be for me? Please be specific.(i.e. don't put down"eat green veggies")

Answer: Vitamin B12 is found in foods that come from animals, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. So its not present in the vegetables. But if you have anemia, you should take supplements of folic acid. Usually one pill a day is enough. Also you should take vitamin C. For more information check the link below

Question: What sort of improvements can i expect if take vitamin b-12 supplements for my deficiency? i was recently diagnosed with this deficiency and was just curious what solving the problem would do for me will i have more energy and be less depressed? also will my metabolism work better?

Answer: You will have MUCH more energy ... you won't need to sleep as much ... you'll be much happier ... your moods will improve ... I think you'll find that once your B12 levels are normal again you're going to feel fantastic!! I too had a B12 deficiency and after taking supplements I felt sooo good afterwards, better than I ever had. I was giggly and hyperactive and happy again ... and I didn't feel like I needed to lay in bed all the time either, almost like a new lease on life.

Question: What are the health signs of vitamin B-12 deficiencies?

Answer: Over time, a deficiency in either B12 or folate can lead to macrocytic anemia, a condition characterized by the production of fewer, but larger red blood cells and a decreased ability to carry oxygen. Patients who have this condition may tire easily, be weak, and be short of breath. A deficiency in B12 can also result in varying degrees of neuropathy, nerve damage that can cause tingling and numbness in the patient’s hands and feet and mental changes such as confusion, irritability, and depression.

Question: Does Vitamin B-12 Shots Improve Your Odds Of Conceiving? Recently, I had a low thyroid which I took meds for. That problem has since gone away and has been replaced by a low B-12 level that I am taking shots for. I know that a low thyroid can mess with your fertility but what about Vitamin B-12 deficiencies? Vitamin B-12 is essential for DNA reproduction, your nerves, memory, energy levels, etc. So would receiving the shots increase your odds of conception?

Answer: Vitamin B-12 does not increase your shots of conception, it's to make sure, if you do conceive, your baby wont get deformities when it's born. Vitamin B6 may improve your chances, but you should ask your doctor before taking any.

Question: What level should vitamin B12 be and when is there a deficiency? I was called in by my doctor today who said I have a vitamin b-12 deficiency that could be causing the numbness in my hands/legs. I am just wondering what the normal level should be, mine was 170.

Answer: Most places set up their own reference numbers but normally the ranges of B12 are 160-950 pg/ml which are the numbers given by Mosby's manual Of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, third edition. Also in Clinical Chemistry Principles, Procedures, Correlations, fifth edition they give the reference range of 110-800 pg/ml. So as you can see even the clinical books vary on there numbers. I would just ask your doctor what range he or she are using to decide you deficiency.

Question: Is bee pollen a good source of vitamin b-12? I've been vegan for 6 years (taking supplements like calcium and b-12, etc.) I decided to experiment and go raw vegan with no supplements, but am concerned about a b-12 deficiency. It's made me think about becoming a bee-gan, i.e. vegan with the exception of bee pollen, if it's a good, sustainable, natural source of b-12. Anyone have info on this? Thanks.

Answer: First: Props on being a vegan who understands the importance of B12. Too many of your brothers and sisters seem to think they can argue their way out of a necessary nutrient. That's not a side note: that's part of the problem. Whatever your source of B12, make sure that it is from a proven source. Some vegen/vegetarian apologists have been selling products from plant sources containing B12 analogues. Simple tests seem to indicate B12 in their product, so they sell it. More careful analysis finds that pseudo B12, of no use to your body, was giving a false positive. Long story short, B12 comes from animal sourced foods and supplements. Bee pollen is a bit dicey. For starters, it's going to vary a lot from one source to another. Given the vegans I know, I'd bet my eye teeth you'd be going with pollen from a single, raw source. I understand why, but this increases the variation problem. Larger, commercial producers would likely produce a more homogeneous pollen. I've not found any reliable sources for nutritionals on B12. Honey seems to be a minor source (FW IW). If nothing else, you could try it, with regular blood tests to check your actual B12 level. Remember that B12 deficiency does not develop overnight, nor can you really reverse it overnight. The safest course of action would include a B12 supplement or a fortified food source.

Question: Wat is the remedy for a pinched nerve or carpal tunnel syndrome (sp) Is it cos of deficiency of vitamin B-12?

Answer: You asked the right guy. I have pinched nerves all the time, had them since the late 70's, in fact. A pinched nerve is usually based in the spinal column as a result of two or more vertebrae becoming subluxated or mis-aligned. The usual relief for myself is to have the spine manipulated by a chiropractor or general physician to get the vertebrae off of the nerve that is affected. I also have corpal tunnel syndrome and that is different. For all my working career I used to set up and run machinery and had to rely on strong wrists and hands in order to perform at a high level. Corpal tunnel affects many people in jobs that require repetitive motion. I can't say one way or the other whether B-12 contributes to either condition, I don't recall ever being asked about my intake of such in all the visits I have had, so I doubt that it has any significant contributing factors about it.