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What happens if vitamin B12 is low?

People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells). General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

my.clevelandclinic.org - Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
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Overview

What is vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency happens when your body is either not getting enough or not absorbing enough vitamin B12 from the food that you eat that it needs to function properly. Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body make red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause physical, neurological and psychological problems if it is not treated.

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body keep your nerve cells and blood cells healthy. It also helps your body make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Your body does not make vitamin B12 on its own, so you have to consume food and drinks that have vitamin B12 in order to get it. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products you eat and drink such as meat, dairy and eggs. It can also be found in fortified foods (foods that have certain vitamins and nutrients added to them) such as certain cereals, bread and nutritional yeast. Adults need around 2.4 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12 a day, and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding need more. The amount of vitamin B12 babies and children need varies based on age.

How does my body absorb vitamin B12?

There are two things that need to happen in order for your body to absorb vitamin B12 from the food you eat. First, hydrochloric acid in your stomach removes vitamin B12 from the food it was in. Next, vitamin B12 combines with something called intrinsic factor, a protein made by your stomach. Vitamin B12 is then able to be absorbed by your digestive system. Some people have a rare condition called pernicious anemia, which means their stomach does not make intrinsic factor. Because of this, their body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12, which causes a vitamin B12 deficiency.

What is vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia happens when your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells because your body has a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is needed to make red blood cells. Because of this, a lack of vitamin B12 can cause anemia. People can have a vitamin B12 deficiency without having anemia.

Who does vitamin B12 deficiency affect?

Any person can develop vitamin B12 deficiency at any age. People who are 60 years old or older are more likely to have vitamin B12 deficiency compared to other age groups.

How common is vitamin B12 deficiency?

Approximately 1.5% to 15% of people have vitamin B12 deficiency. Here are the percentages of people who have vitamin B12 deficiency based on age ranges:

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