Question 1

i have just been diagnosed with anemia and i was advised to get vitamin b12 shots together with chela-fer. however the b12 is only with prescription, is there any other option for me?
thanks
talya

Accepted Answer

Need more info: Who diagnosed you? Unless you have mal-absorption or pernicious anemia, oral B12 will work just as well as injection. If you have malabsorption, you may take sub-lingual B12, available without prescription. You may also need to take oral iron and multivitamins. It would be prudent to see a hematologist.

Question 2

hi i have vitamin b12 deficiency. doc didn't say pernicious anemia. everyone said i'm going to get cancers.god im so scared. i've started injections?

Accepted Answer

B12 def: Are you vegetarian or vegan, they have B12 issues at times because B12 sources are animal.  May also be ileitis or intestinal issues where B12 is absorbed ( if not pernicious anemia) or dietary/ age. If you are on injections and you level are adequate ( I like above 400)  I would not  be concerned ,don't worry

Question 3

how low does level of vitamin b12 need to be considered deficiency anemia?

Accepted Answer

Low B12: Values of less than 200 pg/ml are a sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency. People with this deficiency are likely to have or develop symptoms. Older adults with vitamin B12 levels between 200 and 500 pg/ml may also have symptoms.

Question 4

my vitamin b12 levels are pretty low.around 80 pg/ml.is it possible i have anemia.?

Accepted Answer

No guessing: I cannot imagine any physician measuring a vitamin level without including the more important blood cell count test. One does not just guess anemia.

Question 5

how low does ones vitamin b12 level need to be to reach anemia?

Accepted Answer

Good question: It depends more on how long it is low.  The longer the B12 level is low is more important then the level.  Hope this helps.

Question 6

what is the most common cause of anemia and/or vitamin b12 deficiency in older adults?

Accepted Answer

: In women of reproductive age, blood loss through menstruations is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia. B12 deficiency is usually due to poor absorption resulting from lesions in the stomach and/or ileum. Alcohol abuse can cause deficiency of both iron and B12. In adult men iron deficiency anemia warrants an investigation of GI bleeding.
For healthy diet: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Question 7

in the event that you are diagnosed with anemia and put on treatment with ferrimed. should you be taking vitamin b12 as well?

Accepted Answer

Anemia : There are several types of anemia. The most common type is iron deficiency. If it is iron decency anemia then Ferrimed would help. It is rare to have two types of anemia at the same time, but I have seen patients with B12 and iron deficiency. The treatment of anemia, therefore, is dependent on the diagnosis.  Unless someone has a b12 deficiency it is not indicated

Question 8

could you tell me if there is a link between cholelithiasis (gallbladder disease) and vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

No: There is no connection.

Question 9

does atrophic gastritis leading to pernicious anemia has symptoms like stomach pain ? or it is a silent feature of old age causing lack of intrinsic factor in order to absorb vitamin b12 ? can this lack of factor happen in 24 year old guy?

Accepted Answer

Possible: It is easy to ascertain if you have vitamin B12 deficiency with a blood test.
Have a healthy diet, exercise 30 minutes/day, drink plenty of water, have safe sex, no tobacco alcohol weed or street drugs. For nutrition: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/.
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Question 10

hello, i currently suffer from anemia from a lack of vitamin b12 and take supplements for it. i am ashamed to admit i experimented with alcohol enemas multiple times. should/how do i ask my family doctor to test for this? maybe colon cancer etc?

Accepted Answer

: Test for what? Cancer? Unlikely! Alcohol via enema is just another method of alcohol exposure/intake. While potentially irritating to the tissue it self heals easily. Is your anemia truly B12 related? That is a known defect of absorption. There are many possible contributing factors. Talking with your doc about all your concerns is a worthy and reasonable practice. We want to know so we can help.

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Doctor answers about:

Can you get vitamin b12 anemia if you had your gallbladder removed

A member asked:

I have just been diagnosed with anemia and i was advised to get vitamin b12 shots together with chela-fer. however the b12 is only with prescription, is there any other option for me? thanks talya

A member asked:

Hi i have vitamin b12 deficiency. doc didn't say pernicious anemia. everyone said i'm going to get cancers.god im so scared. i've started injections?

A member asked:

How low does level of vitamin b12 need to be considered deficiency anemia?

A member asked:

My vitamin b12 levels are pretty low.around 80 pg/ml.is it possible i have anemia.?

A member asked:

How low does ones vitamin b12 level need to be to reach anemia?

A member asked:

What is the most common cause of anemia and/or vitamin b12 deficiency in older adults?

A member asked:

In the event that you are diagnosed with anemia and put on treatment with ferrimed. should you be taking vitamin b12 as well?

A member asked:

Could you tell me if there is a link between cholelithiasis (gallbladder disease) and vitamin b12 deficiency?

A member asked:

Does atrophic gastritis leading to pernicious anemia has symptoms like stomach pain ? or it is a silent feature of old age causing lack of intrinsic factor in order to absorb vitamin b12 ? can this lack of factor happen in 24 year old guy?

A member asked:

Hello, i currently suffer from anemia from a lack of vitamin b12 and take supplements for it. i am ashamed to admit i experimented with alcohol enemas multiple times. should/how do i ask my family doctor to test for this? maybe colon cancer etc?

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