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I just recieved my results of a vitamin B12 blood work, my count is 185, the normal range is 211-946. I can never give blood, I am always too anemic to do so...I take vitamins, iron, regular vitamins, each day. Time for a B12 shot...
So, those of you who feel tired, might want to have your blood work done. I was surprised it was so low.
Last edited by jasper12; 07-05-2012 at 09:30 AM..
Reason: edit
If you have been taking a supplement for b12 and still have low b12 levels then that would suggest a problem with b12 absorption. Also, most people have a large store of b12 and its efficiently recycled in the body so it often takes decades, but at least years, for people to development deficiencies when they stop consuming it.
But there is nothing about a vegetarian diet that requires vitamin supplements, you can get everything from your food. The only possible exception being b12 if you're vegan.
Pernicious anemia isn't related to dietary alotment of iron. It's related to whether or not your stomach is able to process vitamin B12. I think the OP is referring to that, and not to iron-deficiency-caused anemia.
OP, if this is the case, then yes regular dietary inclusion of foods containing B12 might not be enough for you; you'd need to supplement. There are sublingual B12 supplements that absorb efficiently, making it unneccessary to get regular injections. You might want to talk to your doctor about that, see if he feels you're a good candidate for that option.
In the OP's case, this is more a health issue, and not a food-choice issue. If he has pernicious anemia, chances are adding more B12-rich foods to his diet won't be helpful at all.
Hmm...maybe you are right. I assumed it was the diet. I have been "meat free" for about six months. I had the blood work done at work to calibrate a new machine...for baseline levels. I have scheduled an appointment already with my doctor...
There are three main causes for pernicious anemia:
a weakened stomach lining (the stomach lining doesn't produce enough of a special protein (intrinsic factor) that allows B12 to be absorbed by the intestine.
an autoimmune disease (the immune system attacks either the intrinsic factor protein or the cells that manufacture it)
Congenital - babies are born unable to manufacture intrinsic factor
Your doctor will normally start with some specific blood tests for diagnosis. If the results are inconclusive a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy might be needed.
The average age at diagnosis is around 60, but many people have had it for years before it is diagnosed.
The good news is that it can be treated with monthly B12 injections or oral supplements. Sometimes more frequent injections might be needed at first.
Hmm...maybe you are right. I assumed it was the diet. I have been "meat free" for about six months.
B12 deficiencies take longer than that to develop, heck even Iron deficiencies usually take longer than that to develop. So you're looking at issues that predate your dietary change...
No idea about your age, but as people age they often lose the ability to absorb b12 when its attached to protein (i.e., b12 from animal sources) so supplementation is required.
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