DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Hematologic Disorder

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

MODERATE

A condition characterized by low levels of vitamin B12, leading to megaloblastic anemia and potential neurological complications. Affects approximately 6% of people under 60 and up to 20% of those over 60. Can cause irreversible nerve damage if untreated.

Global Affected

400.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Fatigue
Weakness
Pale or jaundiced skin
Shortness of breath
Numbness/tingling
Balance problems
Memory difficulties
Glossitis (inflamed tongue)
Depression

Treatment Options

Vitamin B12 injections
Oral B12 supplements
Nasal B12 spray
Dietary modifications
Treat underlying cause

Risk Factors

1Vegan/vegetarian diet
2Pernicious anemia
3GI surgery
4Celiac disease
5Crohn's disease
6Metformin use
7PPI use
8Age over 60

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Complete blood count
  • 2Serum B12 level
  • 3Methylmalonic acid
  • 4Homocysteine
  • 5Intrinsic factor antibodies
  • 6Schilling test

Prognosis

Good with treatment. Anemia corrects in weeks. Neurological symptoms may take months to improve; some damage may be permanent. Lifelong treatment often needed.

Prevention

  • Adequate B12 intake
  • Supplementation (high-risk groups)
  • Regular screening (elderly)

Research Status

Vitamin B12 supplementation (oral or injection) effective. Monthly injections for pernicious anemia. High-dose oral B12 for malabsorption. Novel: nasal spray, sublingual formulations.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/b12-folate-deficiency
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitamin-deficiency-anemia
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.