UNDIAGNOSED VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY?: www.b12deficiency.info

This website appears to have vast helpful and informative Vitamin B12 facts plus many useful Links to the 'interweb'

https://www.b12deficiency.info/

Do you want to know more about Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Are you confused about diagnosis, are you being treated correctly?

Did you know B12 deficiency is one of the most misunderstood conditions worldwide?

And yet it is very easy and inexpensive to treat

All pink text throughout the site will take you to journals or further reading.

Please be assured you are visiting a trusted site...”Tracey's website and blog is a vital and truly excellent source of light ...and I commend her for all her great efforts.” Dr David Morris GP

Everyone makes better choices when they have the right information.
You’re in the right place. I've gathered together everything you need to know about Vitamin B12 deficiency so that you can educate yourself about this very common condition. It will help you ask your doctor the right questions, stay up to date, read the latest research and take action.

It relates to you, wherever you are in the world. It’s free, accessible and readily available to anyone who has an interest. And I have more than just an interest. Find out why I set the site up in About Me.

My aim is to help patients understand more about B12 deficiency, seek a diagnosis, and receive appropriate treatment from their doctor. If you need personalised help please see the contact page for more information.

B12 injections are required to treat vitamin B12 deficiency when you cannot absorb this complex vitamin from food. This means that oral B12 tablets may raise B12 levels but will NOT be helping to treat your symptoms.

The What To Do Next page is a step by step guide from diagnosis to treatment. We have also developed an app to help assess your risk.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please don’t take a B12 supplement before you’ve seen your GP. Get a test first to check your level. Supplements skew results!

Common problems that patients face

Failure of healthcare professionals to recognise the neurological and psychiatric symptoms of B12 deficiency.
The name ‘Pernicious anaemia’ confuses doctors - many patients NEVER present with anaemia/macrocytosis - this is very late stage. NICE and BNF Guidelines still categorise B12 deficiency under anaemia, this needs to change.
Poor Diagnostic tests and reference ranges of B12 serum test range set so low missing severely deficient patients.
The misconception that B12 deficiency is rare and only affects women over 60. In fact it is very common affects all body systems, all ages and both sexes.
B12 deficiency can effect a baby in the womb, infants and children. There should be no delay in diagnosis and treatment as symptoms in children may not be completely reversible.
Lack of understanding of the many causes of B12 deficiency and those at risk leading to misdiagnoses.
Harmful maintenance dosage guidelines which restrict the vast majority of UK patients to just 4 B12 injections per year. There is no clinical evidence held by the Marketing Authorisation Holders or NICE and BNF for the restricted treatment regime for UK patients, this is based upon cost saving GP Audits and not care for the patient.

The misconception that B12 injections are a placebo and that too much is toxic. B12 is a water soluble vitamin and any excess is excreted quickly via the bladder and bowel.
Reliance on flawed B12 serum test results rather than symptoms can lead to permanent damage. The serum test may be recording as much as 80% inactive B12 in the body which is unusable.
Incorrect treatment of neurological symptoms with oral B12 instead of vital B12 injections leads to irreversible damage.
Lack of understanding of the genetic, transport and methylation defects affecting B12 absorption and metabolisation.

So why is Vitamin B12 so important?

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is one of the family of 13 vitamins and is essential to life and health, helping your body to work properly.

B12 along with folate (Vitamin B9) is essential for the production of red blood cells and aids in the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and immune system.

B12 deficiency damages the fatty tissue - myelin - which surrounds and protects nerve fibres, it damages the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and nerves of the eye.

It is a crucial element in the construction of DNA. It can result in symptoms ranging from severe anaemia requiring blood transfusions, to serious and permanent nerve damage and psychiatric conditions.

Being deficient in Vitamin B12 can have lasting effects on your body, your mind and your appetite for life.