Vitamin Deficiency Anemia – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Vitamin deficiency anemia occurs when the body lacks sufficient vitamin B-12 and folate to produce healthy red blood cells. These essential nutrients are vital for creating properly functioning blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
When these vitamins are in short supply, either from inadequate diet or absorption issues, the body produces oversized red blood cells that work inefficiently.
People with this condition often experience tiredness, breathing difficulties, and lightheadedness.
Fortunately, treatment typically involves vitamin supplementation, which can be administered orally or through injections.
Symptoms
Vitamin deficiency anemia develops gradually over months or years. Early signs might be mild but become more noticeable as the condition progresses.
Common physical symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Lightheadedness
- Skin appearing pale or yellowish
- Heart rhythm irregularities
- Decreased weight
Neurological symptoms that may appear:
- Tingling sensations in extremities
- Reduced muscle strength
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Coordination problems
- Memory issues or mental fog
These symptoms vary depending on which vitamin is deficient and how severe the deficiency has become.
Why Vitamin Deficiency Anemia Happens
Not eating enough foods with vitamin B-12 and folate can lead to vitamin deficiency anemia. This condition can also develop if your body has trouble absorbing or using these important vitamins.
When Your Body Lacks Vitamin B-12
Several factors can cause low vitamin B-12 levels:
Food Choices: Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy. People who don’t eat these foods may need supplements. Some foods, like certain breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast, have added B-12.
Immune System Problems: Sometimes the body’s immune system attacks stomach cells that make intrinsic factor, a substance needed to absorb B-12. Without it, your intestines can’t take in this vitamin properly.
Previous Stomach Operations: If parts of your stomach or intestines have been removed, you may produce less intrinsic factor and have less area to absorb vitamin B-12.
Digestive Conditions: Diseases like Crohn’s and celiac disease can block B-12 absorption. Intestinal parasites from contaminated fish can also interfere with getting enough B-12.
When Your Body Lacks Folate
Folate (vitamin B-9) is found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables and liver. Your body might not get enough folate if:
- You don’t eat foods rich in folate
- Your body can’t properly absorb the folate you consume
Absorption issues may result from:
- Digestive diseases like celiac disease
- Surgery that removed large portions of intestines
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Certain medications, especially some anti-seizure drugs
Some people need more folate than others:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding mothers
- People on kidney dialysis
Getting enough folate during pregnancy helps prevent birth defects. Many countries now add folate to foods like bread, cereal, and pasta, making severe deficiency less common.
Risk Factors
Several factors can raise your chance of developing vitamin deficiency anemia:
- Health conditions like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes
- Surgical procedures that remove portions of the stomach or intestine
- Advanced age
- Long-term alcohol consumption
These factors may interfere with your body’s ability to absorb or process essential vitamins properly.
Health Risks
Low levels of vitamin B-12 or folate can cause several health problems. These problems can affect different parts of the body and may become serious if not treated.
Pregnant women with low folate may face birth defects in their babies. These defects can affect the brain and spinal cord development of the unborn child.
Nerve problems can develop from B-12 deficiency. People may feel tingling in their hands and feet or have trouble with balance. Memory loss and confusion can also occur since B-12 helps keep the brain working properly.
People with pernicious anemia (a condition causing B-12 deficiency) have a higher chance of developing stomach or intestinal cancer.
Prevention
To stop vitamin deficiency anemia before it starts, eating a variety of healthy foods is key. Your diet should include foods rich in important vitamins like B-12 and folate.
Good sources of vitamin B-12 include:
- Beef, liver, chicken, and fish
- Eggs
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
Foods high in folate include:
- Green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, asparagus)
- Fruits (oranges, bananas, strawberries, melons)
- Enriched grain products (bread, cereal, pasta)
- Liver, kidneys, mushrooms, and peanuts
Most adults need about 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 and 400 micrograms of folate daily. Pregnant and breastfeeding women typically need higher amounts of these vitamins.
Most people get enough vitamins from their regular diet. However, a multivitamin might be helpful if you follow a restricted eating plan or have had gastric bypass surgery. Talk with your healthcare provider about your specific needs.
