For people who cannot absorb B12, the condition cannot be prevented	For instance, smoking impairs your body's ability to absorb vitamin C
Vitamin B12 is available only in animal foods meat and dairy products or yeast extracts such as brewer's yeast	Causes of vitamin deficiency anemias include: Folate deficiency anemia Folate, also known as vitamin B-9, is a nutrient found mainly in fruits and leafy green vegetables

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Intrinsic factor attaches to vitamin B12 and takes it to the intestines to be absorbed.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options: National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options: In vegans and other people whose B12 deficiency is diet-related, oral B12 supplements and a diet designed to increase consumption of vitamin B12 should cure the condition
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options: It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function

Folate, cobalamin and megaloblastic anemias	When injections first are administered, a patient with severe symptoms may receive five to seven during the first week to restore the body's reserves of this nutrient
Vitamin deficiency signs and symptoms may be subtle at first, but they increase as the deficiency worsens	Vitamin C deficiency is also possible if something impairs your ability to absorb vitamin C from food

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

In this procedure, a small sample of bone marrow is taken by inserting a needle into the pelvic bone just below the waist on either side of the spine.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options: Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia Vitamin B-12 deficiency can result from a diet lacking in vitamin B-12, which is found mainly in meat, eggs and milk
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options: Nervous system disorders While vitamin B-12 is important for the production of red blood cells, it's also important for a healthy nervous system
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options: Without treatment for vitamin B-12 deficiency, neurological complications can become permanent

However, once it is diagnosed, regular injections of vitamin B12 will prevent symptoms from returning	Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia can also occur if your small intestine can't absorb vitamin B-12 for reasons other than a lack of intrinsic factor
Antacids and some drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes may interfere with B-12 absorption	But if your diet is restricted, you may wish to take a multivitamin

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

In people whose vitamin B12 deficiency is related to overgrowth of intestinal bacteria, treatment with oral antibiotics, such as sold under several brand names , may stop bacterial overgrowth and allow the absorption of vitamin B12 to return to normal.

Vitamin deficiency anemia: Your doctor also will review your medical history for medical illnesses diabetes, immune disorders or surgeries, such as stomach removal, that can lead to B12 deficiency
Vitamin deficiency anemia: Anti-seizure drugs can block the absorption of folate
Vitamin deficiency anemia: Vitamin deficiency anemia can occur if you don't eat enough foods containing folate, vitamin B-12 or vitamin C, or it can occur if your body has trouble absorbing or processing these vitamins