Vitamin B Deficiency: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

When the body lacks vitamin B, particularly vitamin B12 or B9 (also known as folate), the condition is known as vitamin B deficiency. Under this condition, a patient body produces extremely large red blood cells that fail to function normally.

Typically, red blood cells are responsible for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body with the help of haemoglobin. Vitamin B deficiency can also lead to anemia as the body produces fewer red blood cells or red blood cells with low haemoglobin. However, anaemia is not just caused by vitamin B deficiency but also if you are iron-deficient.

Treating vitamin B deficiency is fairly easy irrespective of the cause (which range from lack of vitamins in one diet to deficiency induced by certain medications such as anticonvulsants). The treatment process usually involves administering injections or giving supplements to the patient so to increase the levels of vitamin B.

You need to look for these signs and symptoms that indicate the deficiency of vitamin B. Symptoms of vitamin B deficiency include:

• Fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Mouth ulcers
• Sore tongue
• Depression
• Confusion
• Memory problems, etc

Treatment for vitamin B deficiency is necessary or it can lead to complications and various other health issues such as:

• Nervous system problems
• Temporary Infertility
• Heart problems
• Complications during pregnancy
• Birth defects, etc

One of the most important nutrients for the overall wellness of your body, vitamin B is present in many kinds of food items. Here is the list of some consumables which can boost the level of vitamin B in your body:

• Cheese
• Milk
• Eggs
• Tuna, mackerel, and salmon
• Wheat germ
• Nuts and seeds
• Spinach and kale
• Whole grains and cereals
• Soy milk and tempeh
• Yeast and nutritional yeast
• Citrus, banana, and watermelon
• Kidney beans, black beans, and chickpeas
• Beets, avocados, and potatoes
• Chicken and red meat
• Oysters and clams
• Blackstrap molasses

Summary: There are many food items that are packed with vitamin B complex. These are available in your home and local market easily.

As mentioned earlier, the vitamin B complex is made of 8 kinds of vitamin B’s and each of them has an individual role in the body. Its deficiency causes different kinds of medical problems.

• Thiamin (B1) deficiency causes unusual beriberi, short-term memory loss, weight loss, and muscle weakness.
• Riboflavin (B2) deficiency causes stomatitis, cheilosis, scaly rash on the genitalia, night blindness, migraine headaches, mild anaemia, and psychological effects including depression.
• Niacin (B3) deficiency causes pellagra, dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhoea.
• Pantothenic Acid (B5) deficiency causes depression, fatigue, vomiting, stomach pains, insomnia, upper respiratory infections, irritability, burning feet, and High Cholesterol/High Triglycerides, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Pyridoxine (B6) deficiency causes glossitis, peripheral neuropathy, confusion, and cheilosis, and, in adults, seborrheic dermatitis, depression, and seizures.
• Biotin (B7) deficiency can cause red rashes, dryness or scaly skin, dry eyes, brittle and weak hair, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, depression, burning and pain in muscles, upset stomach, seizures, and difficulty walking.
• Folate or 'folic Acid' (B9) deficiency can cause megaloblastic anaemia, low levels of white blood cells and platelets, and serious birth defects in the spinal cord.
• Cyanocobalamin (B12) deficiency can cause Atrophic gastritis, Pernicious anaemia, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, bacterial growth, or a parasite, and Graves' disease or lupus.

Summary: Vitamin B complex is made of 8 kinds of vitamin B’s and each of them has an individual role in the body. Its deficiency also causes different kinds of medical problems.

Vitamin B deficiency is generally caused by a lack of this nutrient in a person diet, hence include food rich in vitamin B in the dietary regime such as meat, milk, fish, cheese, and eggs. Besides this, having vitamin B12 supplements orally can be helpful.

The dosage, frequency and duration of these supplements will be specified by the doctor along with other instructions. In most cases, patients need to be on vitamin B medications for at least 4 months. Both these treatment methods are highly effective and help restore vitamin B levels in the patient body.

The best treatment for any patient is to eat a balanced diet and include food that is rich in vitamin B. Other than this, vitamin B supplement can be taken orally. However, the treatment process of vitamin B deficiency is usually dependent on what caused it.

For example, if the deficiency is caused by pernicious anaemia, which means that the patient body is not able fully to absorb vitamin B after consumption, then shots of vitamin B12 have to be administered. In order to get these shots, the patient will have to visit a doctor’s clinic where a professional will inject a dose of this vitamin. The patient will need to take these shots regularly.

High doses for any type of vitamin B can lead to a host of side effects. However, the side effects are generally mild and usually go away on their own. Side effects are listed below:

• Acne
• Rashes
• High blood pressure
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Black stool
• Constipation
• Frequent urination

Once the patient is off supplements or is done with their course of vitamin B shots, he or she needs to maintain optimum vitamin B levels in the body with the help of diet post-treatment.

Generally, a course of vitamin B supplements lasts for about four months. However, during the course, patients lead a normal life without any restrictions on activities. Dietary changes may be prescribed to ensure the patient gets the vitamin B needed by his or her body through food.

Depending on the brand and the dosage, supplements of vitamin B can cost anywhere between Rs 50 to Rs 2000. To know about the price of the vitamin shots, patients should contact their local clinic.

Most of the times, taking supplements for a duration prescribed by the doctor is usually enough to cure vitamin B deficiency permanently. However, the deficiency can recur if the patient does not maintain the right diet and consequently fails to meet ideal vitamin B requirements.

If the vitamin B deficiency is not severe, patients can opt for dietary changes as an alternative method of treatment to supplements and injections. Foods that are rich in vitamin B include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and yeast extracts. Options for vegetarians include wholegrain cereals, soya beans, and mushrooms.

Conclusion: Vitamin B is known as vitamin B complex is made of 8 kinds of vitamin B complexes. Its key role is to ensure the adequate functioning of the cells. The deficiency of vitamin B can be very serious as it can hamper the functioning of many parts of your body.