021 – Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Risks, Diagnosis, & Treatment

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