Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause physical, neurological and psychological symptoms. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy nerves. Sudha S, Alexa B, Jacob S, Paul FJ, Rosenberg IH, DAgostino RB. For anyone at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, regular blood work can monitor for changes in red blood cells and B12 levels. Among this patient population, 202 (13.7%) of 1470 patients had a low or lower normal range of vitamin B12 levels with elevated homocysteine levels. 2022 May 5;14(9):1941. doi: 10.3390/nu14091941. The effects of treatment have shown that early identification and replacement therapy causes a significant reversal of symptoms, which is an important possible step toward a healthy mental state. Nutr Rev. Generally, 1 mg daily for one week or 1 mgthree times per week for two weeks followed by 1 mg per week for one month, then 1 mg per month as a maintenance dose is a recommended schedule, but the regimen varies across countries and between individual practices [8,25]. Recent data implicate low vitamin B12 status as a risk factor for birth defects resulting from improper neural tube development. He specializes in nutrition for older adults and long-term care regulations as they relate to food and nutrition. Vitamin B12 absorption tends to decline the higher the dose so a supplement containing 500 to 1,000 mcg is a good choice. Kalkan , Karakaya F, Tzn A, Gentrk ZB, Soykan I. Geriatr Gerontol Int. de Benoist B. Cobalamin: a critical vitamin in the elderly. VITAMIN B 12 OR COBALAMIN DEFICIENCY occurs frequently (> 20%) among elderly people, but it is often unrecognized because the clinical manifestations are subtle; they are also potentially serious, particularly from a neuropsychiatric and hematological perspective. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Good nutrition is an important aspect of aging well. An example is a form of anemia, which is a condition where the blood does not have sufficient healthy red blood cells. What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency? We conducted this study to determine the effect of vitamin B12 replacement therapy on vitamin B12-deficient patients with noted cognitive impairment. We conducted this study in a low socioeconomic area of Karachi in patients attending a neurology outpatient department with a variety of neurologic manifestations. This usually depends on the cause of the deficiency. Additionally, articles published within Cureus should not be deemed a suitable substitute for the advice of a qualified health care professional. The minimum vitamin B12 level was 51 pg/mL. To screen for vitamin B12deficiency anemia, your healthcare provider may order blood tests to see whether you have low hemoglobin or vitamin B12 levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency is diagnosed with a medical history, exam, laboratory tests, and other tests. What Types of Medication Help Treat Anemia? The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Clin Med Res. 2023 Apr;62(3):1551-1559. doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-03025-4. For example, a weak, rapid pulse or pale fingers may be a sign of anemia. Fortified cereals, one serving: 0.6-2.1 micrograms. As a result, you may develop weakness, fatigue, and paleness. Garcia A, Haron Y, Pulman K, et al. Older adults and people with digestive tract conditions that affect absorption of nutrients also are susceptible to vitamin B-12 deficiency. This article explains the importance of protein for healthy aging and how much protein older adults need to promote optimal health. Many physiological changes occur as a natural consequence of aging. Of those, 171 (84%) patients reported marked symptomatic improvement after vitamin B12 replacement while MMSE scores improved in 158 (78%) patients. Folate and vitamin B12: friendly or enemy nutrients for the elderly. A physical exam may also help identify the signs of B12 deficiency. It's somewhat common. This is because a deficiency in either B12 or folate can lead to the same type of anemia. Depression. This is why it can be difficult to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency. If your B12 deficiency is caused by a problem with absorption, you may need an injection. All patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria of MCI were further assessed with a detailed neurologic examination. Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated. Correction of risk factors associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, such as overuse of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors for H. pylori infection, and awareness regarding healthy and clean eating, are also important in the prevention and management of this prevalent state [8]. In the developing world, poor socioeconomic status plays a major role in inadequate levels of nutrition. Blood levels of folate may also be measured to rule out a folate deficiency. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Consequently, this puts older adults at an increased risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency. Once vitamin B12 levels are restored, your body will likely be able to make normal red blood cells again. Patients with no other major metabolic derangement except for having low vitamin B12 levels or high serum homocysteine levels were considered for inclusion. The deficiency most often goes unrecognised because the clinical manifestations are highly variable, often subtle and non-specific, but if left undiagnosed the consequences can be serious. If youre providing elderly care for a loved one, family member, or parent, be aware of the following signs of a B12 deficiency. The mode of administration was planned according to the deficiency state (i.e., parenteral route was planned for those who had a severe deficiency and oral replacement for patients with mild to moderate deficiency). Its also added to foods like breakfast cereals. This could be an oral supplement or an injection. Vitamin B12 deficiency: recognition and management. A simple blood test can provide more information about your vitamin B12 and red blood cell levels. Most people are able to have enough vitamin B12 from the food they consume, with supplements or a mix of both. These categories can cause a range of symptoms. 2007 Nov;66(4):548-58. doi: 10.1017/S0029665107005873. Live Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. In older patients, malabsorption may be the main cause of the deficient state [11]. Their large size means that some get stuck in the bone marrow where theyre made. You can get vitamin B12 deficiency if you cant absorb vitamin B12 due to problems with your gut or if you have pernicious anemia, which makes it difficult to absorb vitamin B12 from your intestines. These symptoms may include: Severe and long-term vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to psychosis. PMC 2022 Aug 20;14(8):e28194. Vitamin B12deficiency may cause serious complications, such as bleeding, infections, and problems with your brain or nerves that may be permanent. Laboratory tests can confirm your diagnosis. Vitamin B12 deficiency is often mistaken for old age. Diagnosing vitamin B12 deficiency can be tricky because the symptoms are similar to other health conditions. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months. Niklewicz A, Smith AD, Smith A, Holzer A, Klein A, McCaddon A, Molloy AM, Wolffenbuttel BHR, Nexo E, McNulty H, Refsum H, Gueant JL, Dib MJ, Ward M, Murphy M, Green R, Ahmadi KR, Hannibal L, Warren MJ, Owen PJ; CluB-12. Vitamin B 12 deficiency, which is often overlooked in clinical practice, is a common cause of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients. As a result, you may develop weakness, fatigue, and paleness. You can develop vitamin B12deficiency anemia if you do not eat enough food with vitamin B12, such as if you follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. Factors related to low serum vitaminB12 levels in elderly patients with non-atrophic gastritis in contrast to patients with normal vitaminB12 levels. Without B12, the megaloblasts cant divide. Folate nutrition and older adults: challenges and opportunities. Forty-three patients had a serum homocysteine level above 20 mol/L, 101 patients had levels between 15 and 20 mol/L, and 58 patients had levels between 8 and 15 mol/L. The current guidelines recommend surveillance for gastric adenocarcinoma in patients with extensive chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), which is considered a premalignant condition. Vaqar S, et al. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is not common in the U.S. One of the key aspects of good nutrition for people advancing in age is having an adequate amount of vitamin B12 in their bodies. Mild cognitive impairment as a diagnostic entity. A B12 deficiency can lead to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia a type of anemia where red blood cells are larger than normal and unable to divide properly. Our current study was conducted to correlate any causative association between serum vitamin B12 levels and MCI and to see if the supplementation improved the outcome. This results in muscle weakness. 2016;3:38. doi:10.3389/fmed.2016.00038. Loss of balance. Instead, up to 30% of older adults have a condition that decreases their ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food called atrophic gastritis (3). Heres what it means if you have high MCHC. Here are nine signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is an important water-soluble vitamin that many people are deficient in. Without enough stomach acid, your body cant free vitamin B12 from protein for absorption. Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to the rest of your body. Of the remaining 44 patients who reported no symptomatic improvement, MMSE scores improved in 26 while 18 patients showed no MMSE score improvements. Low vitamin B12 levels can cause serious health issues (e.g., megaloblastic anemia, inhibition of cell division, and dysfunctional myelination). Do they often experience numbness or tingling in the hands or feet? Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies This article lists seven meal programs for seniors, explaining their benefits and how they differ. 1997 Feb;97(2):167-73. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8223(97)00044-8. A complete blood count measures hemoglobin. This is the ability to judge your body position, such as knowing how high you're holding up an arm without looking. Some people do not get enough B12 in their diet. Hong Kong Med J. Feel free tocontact usto find out more today! While vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products, there are a few plant-based sources as well. memory loss. Read More Ensure Complete: Nutrition, Benefits, Taste, and MoreContinue. The suggested oral vitamin B12 dose is 1 mg daily for a month, and then maintenance dose of 125 to 250 g for patients with dietary insufficiency and 1 mg daily for those with pernicious anaemia. Vitamin B-12 is not toxic so there are no concerns about an overdose. Pavlov CS, Damulin IV, Shulpekova YO, Andreev EA. Most of these patients had a persistent need for a caregiver to maintain their balance and carry out their routines. Petersen RC, Doody R, Kurz A. Mohs, et al. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4993789/, nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/vitamin-b12-deficiency-anemia, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/, Vitamin B12 (folate deficiency anemia) Signs and Symptoms. Shortness of breath and dizziness: A B12 deficiency can easily lead to anemia. Petersen RC. Learn about foods high in vitamin B12 that are also vegetarian-friendly. Common symptoms of all three deficiencies include fatigue, irritability and body weakness. At present, there is no consensus or guideline for diagnosis of this deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be managed with supplemental B12. We all need this vitamin, known as cobalamin, to create parts of our DNA, keep our nerve cells working, and make red blood cells. You may be at risk if you have trouble absorbing nutrients. ), psychological (depression, irritability, etc. Complication of Vitamin B12 Deficiency. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal A vitamin B12 supplement may be recommended to prevent a deficiency if you: A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. 8600 Rockville Pike Read our. A recent study found a clear association between homocysteine and the Stroop test (i.e., a measure of executive functions and cognitive flexibility but not with simpler measures of verbal memory or MMSE) [22]. These are symptoms of megaloblastic anemia, which is a hallmark of vitamin B12 deficiency. Food-cobalamin and malabsorption in elderly patients: clinical manifestations and treatment. 216.448.4325. Implications for hyperhomocysteinemia: not homocysteine but its oxidized forms strongly inhibit neuronal network activity. In the U.S., about 6% of adults under age 60 are deficient in B12. The 8 Best B12 Supplements of 2023, According to a Dietitian, Primary and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism. Elevated methylmalonic acid and serum homocysteine levels are markers of Vitamin B12 deficiency. Given our studys cross-sectional design, a direct association between low vitamin B12 level and cognitive impairment reflects the adverse effect of this common nutritional deficiency on mental health in all age groups. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common cause of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly persons. (2022). (2022). This article looks at the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency. By Jane E. Brody. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Critical vitamin in the elderly ): e28194 medical history, exam, laboratory tests, and problems your. 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symptoms of b12 deficiency in elderly
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