Dr Dawn Harper on signs of vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency

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Vitamin B12 supports everything you care about in your body, from aiding psychological function to supporting the nervous system. In short, it’s integral to quality of life. Still need convincing? A case report published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences leaves no doubt about the vitamin’s importance.

Vitamin B12 deficiency has long been associated with a wide variety of haematological, neurological, and psychiatric disorders.

The following case report illustrates the importance of vitamin B12 deficiency as a possible cause for the development of dementia.

The report covers a 64-year-old male, who was referred to a hospital because of confusion and collapse.

According to relatives and colleagues from work, the man had shown a slowly progressive change of behaviour and deterioration of working efficiency as an administrative employee over the previous five years.

Recently he had been able to manage only the workload of a part-time employee, although he voluntarily worked additional hours on Saturdays.

Several times he was sent home from work because of confused speech, walking impediment, and inability to complete his work correctly.

Additionally, he showed an increasing withdrawal from social activities and a loss of interest in previous hobbies.

On admission to the hospital he was awake and cooperative, but disoriented. He showed “serious” impairment of cognitive functions and short-term and long-term memory, the case study states.

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Formal thinking was slowed. Drive, facial expression, spontaneous movements, and abstract thinking ability were reduced.

He frequently complained of memory deficits, and he had a lack of appetite resulting in a weight loss of 11 kg over a period of six weeks.

After the man underwent a number of tests, he was found to have a lower than normal serum vitamin B12 level.

Tests also revealed his IQ was down and concentration and the ability to solve complex cognitive tasks were also reduced.

He was then treated with B12 deficiency, along with doxepin and lorazepam, which are used to treat depression and anxiety.

Approximately five weeks later, the patient showed a significantly better performance IQ and improved cognitive speed.

It’s important to note that the case report does not conclusively show that B12 deficiency was the primary cause of the man’s decline but it strongly suggests the vitamin contributed.

More research needs to be carried out to understand the link but it’s yet more evidence of a worrying trend.

For example, patients with Alzheimer’s disease have been found to have lower vitamin B12 levels compared to patients without dementia.

B12 deficiency – how to treat it

The treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency depends on what’s causing the condition.

Most people can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12.

There are two types of vitamin B12 injections:

• Hydroxocobalamin
• Cyanocobalamin.

Good dietary sources of vitamin B12 include:

• Meat
• Salmon and cod
• Milk and other dairy products
• Eggs.

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