Question 1

are  the symptoms of celiac disease and vitamin b12 deficiency alike?

Accepted Answer

Not similar!: These diseases can coexist, but their symptoms are not similar!

Question 2

is a vitamin b12 deficiency associated with lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

No : There is no literature or study showing any correlation between Lyme disease a.nd B12 deficiency.

Question 3

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 4

who is at risk of vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Many: The classic B12 deficient people are severe alcoholics and vegan type vegetarians.  Obviously, the reason for the deficiency is different in the two groups. Vegans simply don't eat enough B12 containing foods.  Alcoholics are a bit more complicated than that.

Question 5

how common is vitamin b12 deficiency in the elderly ?

Accepted Answer

Not rare: Estimated that 10-15% of people over age 65 have B12 deficiency, with or without symptoms (anemic, neurologic, mental status, hearing, dementia, balance, etc).  Can be checked with blood tests; easily rxd; late neural findings may not be reversible.

Question 6

vitamin b12 deficiency causes itching, what can i do?

Accepted Answer

Decisive treatment: Don't know if it's the cause of your itch, if you are B12 deficient, either from an ill-advised experiment with a vegetarian lifestyle without supplementation, or pernicious anemia or harboring a fish tapeworm, you had better start getting supplemented now and continuing or you are going to end up with brain damage. Forgive my frankness, and i hope your physician made this clear as well.

Question 7

can a vitamin b12 deficiency bring around ocd?

Accepted Answer

Amazingly, yes: Hermesh et al published in 1988 about 20% of an ocd group having unusually low levels of b12.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3176999
there was another report by sharma & biswas, 2012 - a cae of a middle-aged man with ocd, low serum b12, and a + family hx of B12 deficiency who responded to B12 replacement.
I would definitely get that level, as well as a methylmalonic acid level, checked.

Question 8

will a vitamin b12 deficiency cause infertility?

Accepted Answer

No: No, but b vitamins are important for healthy organ development in early pregnancy. It is important to take supplemental folic acid, and consider a b complex vitamin as well, to support normal organ development if you are reproductive aged woman.

Question 9

can having vitamin b12 deficiency cause ocd symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Not at all likely: Almost no chance of a direct link, but... We do know that: 1) the b vitamins are important to nervous system  functioning. 2) B12 can make a noticeable difference in how good one feels. 3) deficiencies are (by definition) good to correct. So, do try to improve your diet and even supplement nutrients that are hard to get enough of. See a professional for ocd treatment too.

Question 10

is there any link between cholelithiasis and vitamin b12 deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Indirectly: While there is no known direct link between vitamin B12 deficiency and cholelithiasis, there is a significantly increased rate of gallstones in patients with pernicious anemia.  Pernicious anemia is a condition in which red blood cells are decreased due to vitamin B12 deficiency.  So, if ones B12 deficiency is severe enough to cause pernicious anemia, then the risk of gallstones is increased.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Vitamin b12 deficiency and autoimmune disease

A member asked:

Are the symptoms of celiac disease and vitamin b12 deficiency alike?

A member asked:

Is a vitamin b12 deficiency associated with lyme disease?

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

Who is at risk of vitamin b12 deficiency?

A member asked:

How common is vitamin b12 deficiency in the elderly ?

A member asked:

Vitamin b12 deficiency causes itching, what can i do?

A member asked:

Can a vitamin b12 deficiency bring around ocd?

A member asked:

Will a vitamin b12 deficiency cause infertility?

A member asked:

Can having vitamin b12 deficiency cause ocd symptoms?

A member asked:

Is there any link between cholelithiasis and vitamin b12 deficiency?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?