B12 deficiency anemia arises from the lack of vitamin B12 in the body. This type of anemia develops gradually, usually to old age and is more common in men, but cases of diseases are noted in women. B12 deficiency anemia is quite dangerous, as it affects the digestive and nervous systems, and also detrimental to the hematopoietic function of the body.
Causes of B12 deficiency anemia
There are many causes of this anemia, including all kinds of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, heredity and banal vitamin deficiency in food. It is possible to single out the main causes of B12 deficiency anemia:
- lack of vitamin, which comes with food;
- prolonged bowel disorder;
- taking medications that lower the level of vitamin in the body;
- gastroectomy;
- Helminthiasis (infection with tapeworms);
- disruption of the functioning of the stomach due to toxins;
- stomach cancer;
- inheritance of anemia;
- autoimmune lesion of the internal factor of Kastla or parietal cells.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency anemia
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia are similar to those seen in other types of anemia:
- weakness;
- dyspnea;
- palpitation;
- pain in the legs, sometimes in the tongue;
- dizziness;
- fast-onset fatigue ;
- unwillingness to work;
- icteric skin color;
- glossitis (smooth tongue);
- tachycardia ;
- an increase in the size of the spleen and liver;
- polyneuritis;
- atrophy or muscle sensitivity disorder;
- sometimes impaired coordination when walking (sometimes paralysis of the lower extremities).
Diagnosis of B12 deficiency anemia
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out jointly by a neurologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist and nephrologist. In addition, a number of tests are performed:
- To determine B12 deficiency anemia, a blood test, total and biochemical, and the amount of vitamin B12 in the serum are taken.
- Urine analysis for the determination of methylmalic acid in it, which at high levels makes it difficult to absorb vitamin B12 into tissue and cells.
- The method of staining bone marrow smears with alizarin red is used. With a deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the bone marrow, megaloblasts are formed, and they will be detected by this method.
- An aspiration biopsy of the bone marrow can be performed.
In addition to these analyzes, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity can also be performed.
Treatment of B12 deficiency anemia
First of all, the patient is recommended to revise his diet, increasing the content of necessary vitamins and nutrients. In addition, the refusal of alcohol is mandatory. Thus, it is possible to cure anemia in the early stages, without resorting to the intake of vitamin supplements.
The basis of treatment of anemia is the adjustment and maintenance of vitamin B12 at the required level. This is achieved by injecting it through intramuscular injection. In this case, if the level of iron was not high enough or lowered due to the intake of vitamin B12, then additionally prescribed preparations containing iron.
If there is a threat of anemic coma (with a very low level of hemoglobin in the blood), then transfusion of erythrocytes is performed.
If the cause of B12 deficiency anemia is the infection of the body with helminths, deworming is carried out and further restoration of the proper functioning of the intestine.
Complications of B12 deficiency anemia
This anemia causes serious complications in the form of nerve degeneration, since the nervous system and bone marrow are very sensitive to a lack of vitamin B12. Therefore, treatment should be carried out necessarily and as soon as possible.