{"id":9755,"date":"2025-05-05T05:39:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T02:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9755"},"modified":"2026-05-23T18:22:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T15:22:29","slug":"b12-deficiency-anemia-signs-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/b12-deficiency-anemia-signs-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"B12 deficiency anemia: signs, causes, diagnosis, and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"187\" data-end=\"520\"><strong data-start=\"187\" data-end=\"211\">B12 deficiency anemia<\/strong> is a form of megaloblastic anemia that occurs due to a deficiency of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) in the body. <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/vitamins\/vitamin-v12-cyanocobalamin\/\">Vitamin B12<\/a> It is necessary for the normal formation of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, and functioning of the nervous system. Its deficiency can lead to serious changes in both the hematopoietic and nervous systems.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"558\"><strong data-start=\"525\" data-end=\"558\">Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"560\" data-end=\"1233\">\n<li data-start=\"560\" data-end=\"722\">\n<p data-start=\"562\" data-end=\"722\"><strong data-start=\"562\" data-end=\"595\">Insufficient dietary intake<\/strong>. This is common among vegans, because B12 is only found in animal products: meat, eggs, dairy products, and fish.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"723\" data-end=\"903\">\n<p data-start=\"725\" data-end=\"903\"><strong data-start=\"725\" data-end=\"779\">Malabsorption in the gastrointestinal tract<\/strong>. Atrophic gastritis, resection of the stomach or small intestine, Crohn&#039;s disease, celiac disease can interfere with the absorption of the vitamin.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"1103\">\n<p data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"1103\"><strong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"945\">Castle&#039;s intrinsic factor deficiency<\/strong>. Without this substance, which is produced by the stomach lining, B12 cannot enter the blood. This is seen in pernicious anemia (an autoimmune disease of the stomach).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1233\">\n<p data-start=\"1106\" data-end=\"1233\"><strong data-start=\"1106\" data-end=\"1136\">Long-term medication use<\/strong>. For example, proton pump inhibitors or metformin can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1272\"><strong data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1272\">Symptoms of B12 deficiency anemia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1274\" data-end=\"1351\">Symptoms develop gradually and are often disguised as other diseases:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1605\">\n<li data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1380\">\n<p data-start=\"1355\" data-end=\"1380\">Chronic fatigue, weakness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1381\" data-end=\"1433\">\n<p data-start=\"1383\" data-end=\"1433\">Pale skin, shortness of breath during physical exertion<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1466\">\n<p data-start=\"1436\" data-end=\"1466\">Tingling, numbness of the extremities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1467\" data-end=\"1496\">\n<p data-start=\"1469\" data-end=\"1496\">Gait disturbance, unsteadiness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1533\">\n<p data-start=\"1499\" data-end=\"1533\">Irritability, depressed mood<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1534\" data-end=\"1571\">\n<p data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1571\">Glossitis (painful, \u00ablacquered\u00bb tongue)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1572\" data-end=\"1605\">\n<p data-start=\"1574\" data-end=\"1605\">Memory impairment, concentration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9758\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/themes\/woodmart\/images\/lazy.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview.jpg\" alt=\"macrocytes in the blood with B12 deficiency anemia\" width=\"728\" height=\"485\" srcset=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/inline_image_preview-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1607\" data-end=\"1632\"><strong data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1632\">Diagnostic methods<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1634\" data-end=\"1709\">To make a diagnosis <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/laboratory-testing-of-urogenital-infections-is-important-to-know\/\" title=\"Laboratory testing for urogenital infections: what is important to know\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"388\">It is important to conduct a comprehensive laboratory<\/a> examination:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1711\" data-end=\"1889\"><strong data-start=\"1711\" data-end=\"1740\">1. <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/hematological-panel\/zagalnyj-rozgornutyj-analiz-krovi-avtomatychnyj-analyzer-wbc-lym-mid-grn-lym-mid-grn-rbc-hb-hct-mcv-mch-mchc-rdw-plt-pct-mpv-pdw-3-histogramy-wbc-rbc-plt-shoe-ruchnyj-pidrahunok-lejkotsytarnoyi-fo\/\">Complete blood count<\/a><\/strong><br data-start=\"1740\" data-end=\"1743\" \/>Macrocytic anemia is detected: enlarged erythrocytes (MCV &gt; 100 fl), decreased hemoglobin level, hyperchromia, neutrophils with segmented nuclei.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"2123\"><strong data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1916\">2. Biochemical analysis<\/strong><br data-start=\"1916\" data-end=\"1919\" \/>Being evaluated <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/vitamin-b12-deficiency-is-a-must-to-check-what-it-means-to-have-a-balanced-diet\/\"   title=\"Vitamin B12 levels: why check, what deviations mean and how to restore balance\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"137\">vitamin B12 level<\/a> in blood serum. Normal range \u2014 200\u2013900 pg\/ml. Values below 200 are diagnostically significant. Additionally \u2014 levels of folic acid, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2125\" data-end=\"2216\"><strong data-start=\"2125\" data-end=\"2164\">3. Antibodies to intrinsic factor<\/strong><br data-start=\"2164\" data-end=\"2167\" \/>Helps establish the autoimmune nature of the deficiency.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2339\"><strong data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2249\">4. Morphological study<\/strong><br data-start=\"2249\" data-end=\"2252\" \/>Bone marrow aspirate shows megaloblastosis, characteristic of B12-deficiency anemia.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2341\" data-end=\"2441\"><strong data-start=\"2341\" data-end=\"2363\">5. Other examinations<\/strong><br data-start=\"2363\" data-end=\"2366\" \/>Gastroscopy to rule out gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and pernicious anemia.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2443\" data-end=\"2481\"><strong data-start=\"2446\" data-end=\"2481\">Treatment of B12 deficiency anemia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"3040\">\n<li data-start=\"2483\" data-end=\"2680\">\n<p data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2680\"><strong data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2504\">Replacement therapy<\/strong><br data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2507\" \/>In most cases, parenteral administration of cyanocobalamin (in\/m or p\/s) is used. The classic regimen: 500\u20131000 mcg daily for 1\u20132 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2682\" data-end=\"2790\">\n<p data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2790\"><strong data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2708\">A diet rich in B12<\/strong><br data-start=\"2708\" data-end=\"2711\" \/>Beef, liver, seafood, eggs, cheese, and milk are key sources of the vitamin.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2792\" data-end=\"2913\">\n<p data-start=\"2794\" data-end=\"2913\"><strong data-start=\"2794\" data-end=\"2824\">Treating the underlying cause<\/strong><br data-start=\"2824\" data-end=\"2827\" \/>For example, eradication of H. pylori, correction of autoimmune gastritis, change of pharmacotherapy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2915\" data-end=\"3040\">\n<p data-start=\"2917\" data-end=\"3040\"><strong data-start=\"2917\" data-end=\"2942\">Performance monitoring<\/strong><br data-start=\"2942\" data-end=\"2945\" \/>After 1\u20132 weeks, check reticulocytes; after 1\u20132 months, check hemoglobin and vitamin B12 levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Since symptoms of B12 deficiency can be nonspecific, early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment. Patients at risk are advised to have their vitamin B12 levels checked annually, especially if they follow restricted diets, have chronic gastropathy, or have neurological disorders.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>B12 deficiency anemia is a form of megaloblastic anemia that occurs due to a lack of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) in the body. Vitamin B12 is necessary for<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9755"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9755\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}