Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Treatments

How is vitamin B12 deficiency treated?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is treatable. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, you can expect to have a good prognosis and a minimal risk of developing serious complications, such as nerve damage, anemia, or dementia.

Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency involves replacing the body’s depleted stores of vitamin B12. This generally includes:

• A series of vitamin B12 injections, which may need to be a life-long treatment in cases in which the body cannot absorb vitamin B12

• Oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy may also be prescribed. Vitamin B12 may also be given through a nasal spray, or in a sublingual form that is absorbed under the tongue.

• Eating more red meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products

• Treating underlying causes of vitamin B12 deficiency

What are the potential complications of vitamin B12 deficiency?

Complications of vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious. You can treat vitamin B12 deficiency and minimize the risk of complications by following the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you.

Serious complications of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Anemia

• Abnormalities in growth and development

• Dementia

• Depression

• Increased risk for gastric cancer

• Nerve damage, possibly permanent