A friend of mine has been told she has ‘borderline’ B12 deficiency. What is there to do?

Is it inevitable that she will develop pernicious anaemia - or are there people who continue (or improve) without going into full-scale B12 deficiency.

She's not very web-savvy so I am trying to help get information for her.

[Martyn]

It all depends why she is 'borderline' B12 Deficient. If she is deficient due to diet (very strict vegetarians and vegans) then a change in diet or taking vitamin supplements will address the problem. However, people with Pernicious Anaemia are unable to extract B12 from food because the don't have 'intrinsic factor' due to them having 'intrinsic factor antibodies'. If she is unable to extract B12 because she has no 'intrinsic factor' she will have Pernicious Anaemia.

She will then have to have replacement therapy B12 injections for life. Failing to get diagnosed early can lead to permanent and serious nerve damage.

I hope this helps.

M

[suki65]

b12 1,000ug 1 tablet a day is very good it has helped me so much also vitamin d with calcium