Many of us might not have thought or very rarely thought about how amazing and complicated our anatomy is. You will be filled with admiration as you get to know about our body functions. Imagine a water tank, which holds within itself many small island and millions of fishes swimming in it. These small islands are connected and nourished by properly build network of channels. Similarly our body is also like a water tank where water refers to the circulating blood, islands refer to different organs, fishes that are constantly swimming are the cells, which delivers oxygen to the various organs through the network called blood vessels. Blood is very essential for proper nourishment of all organs, maintaining our body temperature, protecting us from infections, flushing out the waste from our body and many more. Human body is filled with 5-6 liters of blood. Our blood consists of three different types of cells called
- Red blood cells (RBC)
- White Blood cell (WBC) &
- latelets
All these cells have their own distinct function. Sometime you might have watched your friend or relatives who get tired very soon and are very weak, when consulted a doctor he might say that they have less blood. It doesn’t mean that they have reduced quantity of blood it means that they have a reduced count of RBSs, a condition called as anemia. Anemia is a condition where your blood lacks hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein part of your blood that carries oxygen from your lungs to various parts of your body.
Causes
Vitamin deficiency anemia is due to deficiency of vitamin B12, B6, Vitamin C, and folate. All these vitamins are essential in producing healthy red blood cells.
Vitamin deficiencies are result of unbalanced diet that does not include foods, which are rich in the necessary vitamins. Deficiency may also be due to the inability of the body to absorb vitamins from food. Because nutrients from the food are absorbed by the small intestine, any damage, disease or surgery in the small intestine might reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the food. Consuming alcohol also reduces the capability of small intestine to absorb vitamins. Certain drugs may also interfere with nutrient absorption. Other reasons are pregnancy and breast-feeding. Specifically, vitamin B12 deficiency may be due to presence of tape worm that suck ups most of the vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency may also be due to lack of intrinsic factor that escorts vitamin B12 throughout the journey in the small intestine and delivers it into the blood stream, lack of this intrinsic factor results in deficiency of vitamin B12.
Symptoms
Symptoms of vitamin deficiency anemia are
- Pale or yellow skin
- Sore mouth or tongue
- Swollen tongue and bleeding gums
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness or tingling feeling in hands and feet
- Unsteady moments
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness
- In severe cases, it might result in damage to nerves, brain, and spinal cord
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is done initially by a complete blood picture study to check the quality and quantity various blood cells. In Vitamin deficiency anemia the blood cells look large and underdeveloped. The level of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin C are measured using blood sample. In addition, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test is done to check whether anemia is due to vitamin B12 deficiency.
Based on the blood tests results, Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is done to look into the stomach and to know the reason of vitamin deficiency, and Enteroscopy is done to check small intestine.
Diagnosis can also be done based on symptoms shown. If none of these tests show a clear result than your doctor might go for a bone marrow test.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of anemia. It includes supplements and balanced diet.
If the reason for your anemia is folate deficiency, then your doctor might prescribe a folic acid supplement, which has to be taken orally. If your body refuses to absorb folate from your diet, then you have to take folic acid supplement for life.
If you have Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, change your diet and include foods that are rich in vitamin B12, along with vitamin B12 supplement prescribed by your doctor. If lack of absorption is the cause then you will need vitamin B12 injections or nasal spray, which should be taken as per doctor’s advice. Treating vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is very essential as it might result in permanent neurological complications.
If the anemia is due to lack of Vitamin B6 & C, this deficiency has to be supplemented by drugs and by taking foods that are rich source of vitamin B6 and C.
Tips to prevent anemia
The best way to prevent anemia due to vitamin deficiency is to have a balanced diet that is rich in all types of vitamins and by taking supplements during pregnancy, breast feeding, and after surgery.
Foods that will prevent vitamin deficiency anemia are
Folate source
Citrus fruits and fruit juices, cereals, bread, banana, legume, pasta,
dark green leafy vegetables, dry beans and peas
Vitamin B12
Meat, egg, shellfish, milk, yogurt, and cheese
Vitamin B6
Meat, cereals, banana, liver, and nuts
Citrus fruit and juice, sweet pepper, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and broccoli
Vitamin C
Make sure that your diet is perfectly balanced with these foods.
Tips for taking vitamins
You will be confused when you go to a drug or food store for a vitamin supplement. You will not know what exactly should be bought and what is best for you. Here are few tips to choose vitamins
- The daily value (DV) for most vitamins should be 100% or more
- Stay away from products that consists of 10,000 or more International Units (IU) of vitamin A, 1000 or more IU of vitamin E, as both vitamins are fat-soluble and they can be stored in your body causing serious complications
- The amount of vitamin K should be checked with doctor if you are using medications for thinning of blood
Conclusion
Finally, vitamin deficiency anemia is not such a serious problem but of course, if left untreated for a long period of time it can result in life threatening complications. Eating healthy balanced food is the only way you can maintain your blood’s quality and quantity. Always remember that it is best that you get vitamins from food sources rather than from supplements. Use vitamin drug as supplement and not as replacement.
