The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What are vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency? " � Vitamin B12 and folic acid (also called "folate " �) are 2 different vitamins that your body needs to work normally. A "deficiency " � means that your body does not have as much of something as it needs. � �
People can have vitamin B12 deficiency, folic acid deficiency, or both. � �
Why are vitamin B12 and folic acid important? " � Your body needs vitamin B12 for many things. For example, you need vitamin B12 to make new cells, such as red blood cells, and for your nervous system to work normally. � �
Your body needs folic acid, too, to make new cells. It is especially important that pregnant women get enough folic acid, so that their baby can develop normally in the womb. Unborn babies need folic acid so that parts of their nervous system form correctly. � �
What causes vitamin B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency? " � People can get vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency when: � �
- They dont eat enough foods that have vitamin B12 or folic acid in them.
- They eat foods with vitamin B12 and folic acid, but their body can't absorb or use the vitamins normally. These things can happen with certain medical problems or as a side effect of certain medicines.
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency? " � A deficiency of vitamin B12, folic acid, or both can cause anemia. Anemia is the term doctors use when a person has too few red blood cells. Anemia can cause headaches or make people feel tired or weak. � �
A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause other symptoms, including: � �
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Trouble walking
- Mood changes
- Memory problems or trouble thinking clearly
Should I see a doctor or nurse? " � Yes. You should see your doctor or nurse if you have any of the symptoms listed above. � �
Is there a test for vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency? " � Yes. Your doctor or nurse can do blood tests to check for deficiencies of these vitamins. � �
If you have vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, your doctor or nurse will want to know why. He or she might do other tests to find out if it's because of a medical condition or a problem with your diet. � �
How are vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency treated? " � Doctors treat vitamin B12 deficiency by giving people vitamin B12. The treatment comes as a shot, as pills, or as a nasal spray. Most people with vitamin B12 deficiency need vitamin B12 shots, especially at first. Later, some people can switch to taking vitamin B12 pills or using a nasal spray instead of getting shots. � �
Doctors treat folic acid deficiency by giving people folic acid. This treatment comes as a pill. � �
Your doctor or nurse will also treat the cause of your deficiency, if it can be treated. If you need help changing your diet, your doctor or nurse might recommend that you work with a dietitian (food expert). � �
Can vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency be prevented? " � Yes. You can lower your chances of getting vitamin B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency by eating foods that have the vitamins in them. � �
Foods with a lot of vitamin B12 include: � �
- Red meat
- Fish and shellfish
- Dairy foods
- Breakfast cereals that have vitamin B12 added to them
Foods with a lot of folic acid include: � �
- Green leafy vegetables
- Oranges and orange juice
- Breakfast cereals that have folic acid added to them
If you don't eat these foods, your doctor or nurse might recommend that you take a vitamin supplement. Vitamin supplements are pills, capsules, or liquids that have nutrients in them. � �
If you are a "pure " � vegetarian and do not eat any meats, dairy foods, or eggs, you will not get enough vitamin B12 from your diet alone. To avoid getting a vitamin B12 deficiency, you will need to take a vitamin B12 supplement or eat foods with vitamin B12 added to them. � �
What if I want to get pregnant? " � If you want to get pregnant, you should start taking a multivitamin at least 1 month before you start trying to get pregnant. Choose a "prenatal " � multivitamin that has at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Show your doctor or nurse the vitamin you plan to take to make sure the doses are right for you and your baby. Too much of some vitamins can be harmful. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 17169 Version 3.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
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