Everyone know that vitamins are important for health, and many older adults take a multivitamin.
But did you know that even among seniors who do this, many still end up developing a serious deficiency in one particular vitamin?
It’s Vitamin B12.
If there’s one vitamin that I’d like all older adults and family caregivers to know more about, it would be vitamin B12.
(Second on my list would be vitamin D, but it’s much harder to develop low vitamin D levels if you take a daily supplement, as I explain in this post. Whereas vitamin B12 deficiency does develop in many older adults who are getting their recommended daily allowance.)
A deficiency in any vitamin can be catastrophic for health. But vitamin B12 deficiency stands out because a) it’s very common — experts have estimated that up to 20% of older adults may be low in this vitamin — and b) it’s often missed by doctors.
Geriatricians also like to pay attention to vitamin B12 because a deficiency can cause — or usually worsen — cognitive impairment or walking problems.
So I’ve written an article for A Place for Mom, explaining everything you should know about vitamin B12 in older adults:
“How to Avoid Harm from Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Seniors“
In this article, I explain:
- How vitamin B12 deficiency harms a senior’s health,
- Why low vitamin B12 levels are so common in older adults, and why this problem is often missed,
- Common risk factors for low vitamin B12 levels, and who should be checked for deficiency,
- How vitamin B12 deficiency is diagnosed and treated.
Unlike many health problems that ail seniors, treating low vitamin B12 levels is easy and safe.
The key is to make sure it’s detected, and treat before some of the health harms — like neurological damage — become permanent.
As always, proactive family caregivers can make a big difference. Learn about this important condition by reading the full article posted at A Place for Mom:
“How to Avoid Harm from Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Seniors“
Has your family had any challenges related to vitamin B12 deficiency? I’d love hear from you in the comments below.
Thank you so much for the education. But I have a concern. An adult was transfused 2016 for the first time in life. From that time to present, she has receive 38 units of blood. What several tests have been done, but low bolld is still the problem. Please help me to help this lady.
By low blood, I assume you are referring to a low red blood cell count, which means anemia. (Although it is possible to be low in other types of blood counts, and to sometimes be transfused for this.)
I explain the most common causes of anemia and how doctors evaluate this condition in this article: Anemia in the Older Adult: 10 Common Causes & What to Ask.
I would recommend you review that article and the comments, and then plan to ask the involved doctors more questions about what they think is causing the low blood count. Good luck!
I am 81years, a female, had ear problems as a child, have got progressively worse re clarity of sound, one on one talking over a table is fine, otherwise not good, I have to concentrate when walking due to a balance problem. Recently had a bad attack of vertigo, got medication but still seems to be a problem when turning/etc. to the right.
Seriously considering getting a walking stick. I am interested to note how important Vit.B12 is especially in the elderly, I shall go to the local clinic more regularly for a shot.
I have made a note of balance excercises for the elderly.
Thankyou
Jannice
Glad you are learning more about your health. Re vitamin B12, I would recommend being checked for deficiency before pursuing injections or another form of supplementation.
You should also know that the medication usually prescribed for vertigo (meclizine) is quite anticholinergic and so should be used with caution by older adults. You can learn more about the risks of anticholinergic medications here: 7 Common Brain-Toxic Drugs Older Adults Should Use With Caution
Vertigo can sometimes be more safely treated with vestibular rehabilitation, which is a special form of physical therapy. It is more work than taking a medication, but safer.
Good luck!
Is it true that your body doesn’t absorb B12 supplements unless you have had some type of intestinal surgery?
The main pathway for absorbing vitamin B12 requires a working stomach and gastric acid. Hence a surgery that removes the stomach can result in vitamin B12 deficiency. However, studies suggest that if high-dose oral supplementation is used, vitamin B12 deficiency can be corrected even if the stomach has been removed or is not providing acid. This is because there are some secondary ways to absorb vitamin B12 (these pathways aren’t very efficient however, which is why a high dose has to be used).
Oral vitamin B12 versus intramuscular vitamin B12 for vitamin B12 deficiency: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Oral Vitamin B12 Replacement: An Effective Treatment for Vitamin B12 Deficiency After Total Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients
I am 78 years olg and just had a b12 blood test . It was 193.
Some articles say that the threshold should be 300 in elderly people.
What do you think?
193 sounds low. I would certainly recommend discussing this with your usual health providers.
As I explain in the article, a test for methylmalonic acid is recommended as a follow-up. If it’s higher than normal, that would be consistent with vitamin B12 deficiency.