Product Description
A DIY home fingerprick test 3-4 monthly to monitor treatment for B12 deficiency as recommended by the B12 Society (also on facebook). The cost includes a £9.99 donation to the B12 Society. Do not retest B12
- Serum Folate
- Ferritin (ideally after fasting for 12 hours)
- Vitamin D (25 OH Vitamin D)
- Magnesium
- Potassium
What is Vitamin B12 and why is it important?
Vitamin B12 is part of the B complex of vitamins alongside vitamin B9 or folate. They are essential vitamins which means that the body is unable to make them itself and must obtain through our diet. Vitamin B12 is required for the formation of red blood cells as well as for forming a coat around nerve cells called myelin and deficiency can cause a range of symptoms and effects.
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Several groups of people may be at an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency:
- Vegans face a risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, as their diet excludes animal-sourced food products. Pregnancy and lactation can worsen deficiency in vegans. Unless a vegan diet is carefully planned, it is difficult to get enough vitamin B12 through plant foods alone. For this reason, it is recommended for those following vegan diets to supplement with B12.
- Pernicious anaemia may be due to a lack vitamin B12. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disease that affects the blood. Patients with this disorder do not have enough intrinsic factor (IF), a protein in the stomach that allows the body to absorb vitamin B12.
- Gut problems: small intestine problems, for example, someone with a surgically shortened small intestine. Crohn’s disease is also a risk factor for vitamin B12 deficiency due to frequent involvement of the terminal ileum.
- Stomach Problems. Gastritis, coeliac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may lead to a deficiency because these conditions reduce nutrient absorption.
- Alcohol. Chronic alcohol abuse may affect vitamin B12, as those who do may not absorb nutrients efficiently.
- Diabetes. Those who are treated with metformin should have their B12 levels tested by their healthcare professional regularly. This is because metformin reduces the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Medications. Some medications can also cause low vitamin B12 such as proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor agonists like Omeprazole which are often used for gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.
Treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency includes oral vitamin B12 supplements or vitamin B12 injections once any underlying causes have been excluded or treated.
If you are concerned about your B12 levels, please discuss your concerns and the results of any blood tests with your GP or usual healthcare professional.
