Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia: diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common condition that can manifest with nonspecific clinical symptoms and, in severe cases, neurologic and hematologic abnormalities. Currently, vitamin B12 deficiency occurs most commonly due to malabsorption of food-associated cobalamin. Because lack of diagnosis can lead to potentially serious complications including spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia, vitamin B12 deficiency should be diagnosed early and treated accordingly. Treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency is simple but can last a lifetime.