021 – Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Risks, Diagnosis, & Treatment
Better Health While Aging
English - September 15, 2016 14:00 - ★★★★★ - 109 ratingsMedicine Health & Fitness Science Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Dr. K explains vitamin B12 deficiency, an easily missed problem that affects up to 20% of seniors and can affect walking, thinking, red blood cell count, and more. She covers who is at risk, who should be checked, how this problem is diagnosed, options for treatment, and more.
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In This Episode:
Dr. K explains what all older adults and family caregivers should know about the surprisingly common problem of vitamin B12 deficiency. She covers:
Common symptoms of low vitamin B12, such as anemia (low red blood cell count), neuropathy (nerve problems), and cognitive impairment
The role of vitamin B12 in the body
What causes pernicious anemia, which is a type of vitamin B12 deficiency
Which medications interfere with vitamin B12 absorption and can cause low levels
Other risk factors for having low vitamin B12
How to test for vitamin B12 deficiency, including when to test for methylmalonic acid
How this vitamin deficiency can be treated
Related episode:
011 – Vitamin D: The “Healthy Aging” Dose & FAQs
Related Resources:
How to Avoid Harm from Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 as Protection for the Aging Brain
National Institutes of Health Vitamin B12 Fact Sheet
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