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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Maintain Healthy Level Of Vitamin B12?

I am 52 years old male : as per doctors advise I had taken 6 injections of Vitamin B12 ( since it had dropped to below 100 counts 6 months ago) . it had come up to 1000 counts after injections were taken . Now again after 3 months the vitamin B12 count level has dropped to 250 level . I am diabetic and on medicine , please advise how to maintain healthy level of Vitamin B12 and why is it dropping so soon even after I had taken injections
Tue, 13 May 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Thanks for the query. Since you are a diabetic with persistently low vitamin B12 levels, the following things may be a possibility - Inadeqate intake of Vitamin B12 in diet (mainly meat, egg), Pernicious anemia, a type of blood disorder where the subject doesn't produce enough IF (intrinsic factor) in their stomach which is needed absorb vitamin B12.
Since you are a diabetic 2 other important causes may be - Use of Metformin (a common medication in Diabetes) and bacterial overgrowth syndrome (occurs in diabetics). Metformin is a drug which interferes with dietary absorption of Vitamin B12.
You should get yourself investigated, after ensuring an adequate intake. In case of pernicious anemia, Vitamin B12 injections are necessary (and you have already taken a course). Reviw your drug history, and avoid long term intake of Proton pump inhibitors and drugs like Ranitidine.
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How To Maintain Healthy Level Of Vitamin B12?

Thanks for the query. Since you are a diabetic with persistently low vitamin B12 levels, the following things may be a possibility - Inadeqate intake of Vitamin B12 in diet (mainly meat, egg), Pernicious anemia, a type of blood disorder where the subject doesn t produce enough IF (intrinsic factor) in their stomach which is needed absorb vitamin B12. Since you are a diabetic 2 other important causes may be - Use of Metformin (a common medication in Diabetes) and bacterial overgrowth syndrome (occurs in diabetics). Metformin is a drug which interferes with dietary absorption of Vitamin B12. You should get yourself investigated, after ensuring an adequate intake. In case of pernicious anemia, Vitamin B12 injections are necessary (and you have already taken a course). Reviw your drug history, and avoid long term intake of Proton pump inhibitors and drugs like Ranitidine.