re: 8 Signs That You May Be Vitamin B12 Deficient

Dr.jeffrey dach — 3/15/2019 11:25:37 AM

B12 is a large molecule , and Gastrointestinal absorption depends on many Co-factors, so that it is quite possible to take adequate amounts of B12 in the diet, yet have a B12 deficiency from malabsorption.

Low Gastric Acid-Acid Blocking Drugs

Absorption of B12 requires gastric acid, so anything which reduces gastric acid production such as gastric surgery, atrophic gastritis, or antacid drugs could produce B12 deficiency. The very popular class of antacid drugs called PPI’s (proton pump inhibitors) such as Prilosec (omeprazole) has been clearly shown to decrease B12 absorption. (6)(7). Other antacid pills such as Prevacid, Protonix, Zantac, Nexium, Aciphex, Zantec, Tagamet, Pepcid, Maalox, Mylanta, reduce gastric acid, inhibit B12 absorption, and may produce B12 deficiency.

Diabetes Drugs and Others

Drugs such as Metformin and other diabetes drugs can cause B12 deficiency. The anesthetic agent, Nitrous Oxide, or “laughing gas”, used in dental or surgical procedures causes B12 deficiency. (8)(9)(10)

Pernicious Anemia

Pernicious anemia is the second most common cause of B12 deficiency. This is an autoimmune disease with loss of Intrinsic Factor, in which antibodies damage the stomach lining interrupting the B12 absorption mechanism. The diagnosis is made with blood test positive for anti-parietal cell antibodies.

Vegetarians

Other people at risk for B12 deficiency include vegetarians, people with eating disorders such as bulemia and anorexia, inflammatory bowel disease with malabsorption (crohn’s).

For more see:jeffreydachmd.com/vitamin-b12-deficiency-by-jeffrey-dach-md