Vitamin B12 Side Effects: Truth Or Dare

Vitamin B12 is noted as a complex, large and scarce vitamin. Its rarity is particularly related to the fact that it can only be biosynthetically produced by select bacteria and algae. Experiencing vitamin B12 side effects through the diet are not too frequent because there are very few foods that may be classifies as excellent or good sources. Supplements are more possible reasons for ingesting higher than normal dosages of vitamin B12. People who take as much as 1000 mcg do not lead to untoward effects unless there is an allergy.

It is common to see adverse reactions or vitamin B12 side effects if it gets into the system of a person with allergy to it. Frequently, these adverse reactions are seen in people getting shots of the vitamin. Nothing is definite though whether what causes the allergy is the vitamin B12 or the preservatives in the solution. Sensitivity to cobalt or cobalamin are also possibilities. During such instances, signs and symptoms include rashes, hives, diarrhea, chest pains, panic attacks, anxiety, and heart palpitations among others.

Vitamin B12 side effects can also be observed when it interacts with certain drugs or when the individual taking it is predisposed to certain conditions. What makes the absorption complicated are narrated below:

1.Leber's Disease, a hereditary eye disease, can lead to blindness as a repercussion if the condition is not managed. Vitamin B12 can harm the optic nerves if predisposed.

2.The blood cells can grow larger than usual; a case called as megaloblastic anemia. Such condition can be corrected by vitamin B12 therapy but not always. The therapy may sometimes lead to serious vitamin B12 side effects. It always advisable to let a professional to undertake the therapy.

3.It is common for polcythemia vera to suddenly emerge because of exposures to high levels of vitamin B12. This blood condition is manifested by showing high-density of red blood cells.

Adverse reactions can happen during drug interactions with the use of Metformin for diabetes, chloramphenicol for bacterial infections; and lansoprazole, omeprazole and cimetidine for peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux.

The common consequence is the poor absorption of vitamin B12 when it is combined with the abovementioned medications. Vitamin B12 side effects and adverse reactions can easily be prevented if one would take an effort to consult a medical practitioner before drug interactions even happen.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency And Its Diagnosis

It is not really difficult to surmise the possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency because of symptoms such as poor memory, anemia, depression and fatigue. These conditions like the other symptoms, however, are too nonspecific to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency. This means that in order to accurately diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency as a disease, the signs and symptoms must first be ascertained to be related to its deficiency and not to another ailment.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be accurately determined only by use of diagnostic tests. Yet, most are still not certain. Hence, a battery of tests is usually done like:

1. Babinski reflex is a reflex seen only in infants that is outgrown as the brain develops. Ability to exhibit indicates damage in nerve paths.

2. Complete Blood Count or CBC and Reticulocyte Count can generate a lot of information about blood conditions. Reticulocyte Count is a measure of immature red blood cells (erythrocytes) to indicate if new erythrocytes are being formed in the bone marrow.

3. Homocysteine test and Methylmalonic Acid (MMA) Tests are used to to determine the reason or reasons for the low vitamin B12 levels; these blood components ate inversely related to vitamin B12.

4. Serum Vitamin B12 level and serum folate levels are good indicators of the levels of vitamin B12 and anemia.

5. Serum LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase) Test measures the amount of LDH in the blood to check for anemia of vitamin B-12 deficiency, Megaloblastic anemia and Pernicious anemia.

6. The Schilling test can yield more definite results as it determines if the body is taking up vitamin B12 normally.

*Stage I –Find out if the body has the ability to take in vitamin B12 normally. Abnormal results will require that the patient proceeds to next stage.

*Stage II –The condition in the stomach is assessed by the administration of a radioactive along with intrinsic factor to check if the intrinsic factor in the stomach is being synthesized to absorb vitamin B12 well. If it yields unusual results, then the patient move s to next stage again.

*Stage III -The test is done after 2 weeks of antibiotics to find out if an infection is causing the Vitamin B12 deficiency.

*Stage IV: -This stage will ascertain if pancreatic enzymes is causing the deficiency.

Should all the tests confirm the condition of vitamin B12 deficiency, it is important to see a physician right away to prevent complications.