B12 deficiency is a common problem in the community. But don’t underestimate the situation. Because B12 deficiency does not appear only in people who consume less animal food.
In addition, the deficiency is so insidious that it can mimic many diseases and lead to false diagnoses.
While the situation is so complex, I need to inform you about vitamin B12. Therefore, I will give information about the symptoms, causes, examination methods and natural treatment options of B12 deficiency.
What is B12?
B12 is a water-soluble vitamin in the liver. Vitamin B12, the other name of which is cobalamin, is incorporated into the DNA structure. Used in enzyme synthesis. It is involved in cell division. Hence, it helps the body’s all vital functions.
B12 also takes part in the purification process of toxins. Because he is a good methyl group donor.
There are four different types of B12 in nature and vitamin supplements. The most common of these are cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin. Although it is the type of methylcobalamin which can be used actively in the body, it is not preferred because of its cost and it is found in many packaged foods and drugs as cyanocobalamin.
Do you know why the lack of such a vitamin is so common? Let’s examine together.
Causes of B12 deficiency
There may be many causes of B12 deficiency. I listed the most common reasons in the list below.
The most important reason is nutrition. Because vitamin B12 is found in animal foods and the consumption of animal nutrients creates a serious deficiency. B12 deficiency is common in vegan and vegetarian individuals, especially those who cut animal foods completely.
Absorption problems are another cause of B12 deficiency. The most important absorption problems include gastric acid shortage, stomach medications, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut syndrome and excessive bacterial growth in the intestines.
Genetic causes may also cause B12 deficiency. The most important gene event here is the MTHFR gene mutation. One of the tasks of the MTHFR gene is the conversion of the cyanocobalamin structure into the active form.
Therefore, if your MTHFR gene is corrupted; You cannot turn vitamin B12 into active form and use it. I get vitamin B12 supplements, but if you say why my levels do not rise, here is my answer!
Also,
due to atrophic gastritis,
Chronic alcohol use,
Deficiencies of thyroid hormone (especially autoimmune thyroid diseases),
Patients undergoing gastric surgery (especially those who have weight loss surgery),
they have a serious risk of B12 deficiency. With these, a few drugs that are frequently used can cause serious B12 deficiency. The most important of the B12 deficiency drugs are as follows:
The use of colchicine inhibits absorption of B12. The use of colchicine in patients with familial mediterranean fever is common.
Histamine-2 receptor antagonists are used to reduce stomach acid. It prevents the release of the B12-intrinsic factor composition.
Proton pump inhibitors are also used to reduce stomach acid and form a B12 deficiency with a similar mechanism.
Metformin type 2 helps blood glucose regulation in diabetic individuals. It also changes the intestinal flora and accelerates the passage of nutrients. So the absorption slows down.
You may be involved in one or more of the groups mentioned above. Do you have a B12 deficiency? To answer, I will first examine the findings and then the necessary tests for B12 deficiency.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency
The first stage of diagnosing B12 deficiency is to evaluate the symptoms. Because examining the symptoms is quick, inexpensive and provides quite valuable information.
I explain the symptoms of B12 deficiency with details and mechanisms.
Distortion (balance, fine movement and vision) is very common in the senses. Some researches even say that the loss of sensation is being seen in very early stages. This issue is related to the involvement of vitamin B12 in the production of the as myelin in layer, which is the sheath of nerve cells.
Tingling sensation (especially on the fingers and toes) occurs with the mechanism similar to sensory disorders. It depends on direct nerve damage.
Muscle weakness and weakness are related to B12’s involvement in the construction of blood cells. Decreasing and non-functioning blood cells cannot carry enough oxygen to the tissues, and this is the second generation in energy production.
The weakening of the memory, the difficulty to draw attention and the drowsiness are other examples of the effects of vitamin B12 on the brain.
Depressive symptoms are common in B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency should be examined well in drug-resistant depression. Very often overlooked.
Anemia (anemia) pale skin plays a significant role in the diagnosis of the patient and is a typical image. The same anemia problem causes you to be out of breath during your simple exercises.
Language changes and mouth sores are common symptoms of B12 deficiency. Red, large and sensitive tongue and frequently seen wounds in the mouth should be examined seriously.
I would like to reconsider neurological problems here. Because it’s possible to make the wrong diagnosis. Especially B12 deficiency behind the diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s and autism should be examined well.
After the symptoms, the final diagnosis is coming. Here are the tests and tips that can be asked.
Diagnosis of B12 deficiency: How to follow a path?
There are several tests that can be used to diagnose B12 deficiency. The most important of these are blood vitamin B12 and complete blood count.
Blood B12 level is an easy way to show deficiency directly. The problem here is that it does not measure the active form of vitamin B12 in the blood. Also, in some people, B12 levels may be in the gray zone. So the levels may not be fully interpreted.
Even in blood tests that measure the level of vitamin B12 in the blood levels of 200-400 pg / ml deficiency findings can be seen even.
Another test is the examination of the complete blood count. B12 deficiency causes defect in the core structure and cells cannot become fully grown.
In addition, hemoglobin deficiency increases cell diameter and size. You can see this in full blood count with the increase of MCV. But unfortunately it does not lead directly to the diagnosis.
Homocysteine level and methyl malonic acid should be asked for further investigation. Homocysteine and methyl malonic acid may increase in B12 deficiency. In addition, the holotranscobalamin level, which is an uncommon examination, can measure the active B12 form in the blood.
It’s a little boring, because there’s a lot of things that don’t concern you. The important point here is that most tests show that B12 deficiency is not clear.
If your complaints continue, it is better to go forward.
Choosing the best vitamin b12
The most important thing to consider when choosing vitamin B12 supplement is the cobalamin type. Because the four different types of B12 used are metabolized and evaluated differently.
These are cyanocobalamin, adenozilcobalamin, hydroxycobalamin and methylcobalamin.
Cyanocobalamin is the most preferred type of b12 in industrial type foods. But I don’t recommend it for being synthetic.
Adenozilkobalamin is not very stable and difficult to assess in the human body. So I don’t recommend.
Hydroxycobalamin is a natural form. But the body can create antibodies. So it is not always useful and I do not recommend.
Methylcobalamin is the most active and easily absorbed form of B12. Blood passes through the brain barrier and is the kind of deficiencies that should be used to resolve the findings. B12 vitamin supplements, although a little expensive for this type of choice should definitely be preferred.
Now I think we have a lot of things about B12 deficiency. Don’t forget to share your ideas and concerns with me!
