Most people have healthy levels of vitamin B12. The average adult should get 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily. Depending on the cause of the deficiency, the person may only have to be treated until their vitamin B12 levels are back to normal, or they may have to take vitamin B12 therapy for the rest of their life. But over time, you may get symptoms such as: If your anemia goes untreated for a long time, it can lead to heart failure. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. 2017;96(6):384-389. If your deficiency was caused by something other than a lack of intrinsic factor and is now corrected, you can meet your needs by consuming B12-rich foods in adequate amounts on a daily basis. Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels. What You Should Know About Metformin and Vitamin B12, The Link Between Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Stroke. What happens when you dont get enough vitamin B12? Vitamin deficiency anemia usually develops slowly over several months to years. An apple a Deficiency is more common in the elderly population because the ability to absorb B12 declines with age. Anemia - Vitamin B12Deficiency Anemia | NHLBI, NIH Also known as cobalamin, it is a water-soluble vitamin found in meat, fish, and dairy. Read more: The Side Effects of Too Much Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky and harmful Your doctor may ask you to take iron supplements during pregnancy. Vitamin B12 is then able to be absorbed by your digestive system. Like nerve problems, these may show up with or without anemia. Bringing levels of vitamin B12 to be within the normal range of between 200 and 900 ng/mL depends on the severity of your B12 deficiency. Live Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. If you have anemia, itll likely get better in 6-8 weeks. (31). In some cases, an autoimmune condition can affect intrinsic factor and lead to pernicious anemia. 3. People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells).