Is B12 deficiency linked to menopause?

Any woman, at any age, can encounter a Vitamin B12 deficiency. There are certain groups of women, however, at increased risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency, including: Menopausal and postmenopausal women: The hormonal imbalances that occur during and after menopause can lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency in women.

Does vitamin B12 help with menopause symptoms?

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin B-12 is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily for females 14 and older. You can help meet this requirement during and after menopause by taking a vitamin B-12 supplement and eating fortified foods.

Why am I suddenly B12 deficiency?

Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.

What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults?

Low levels of vitamin B-12 can be caused by: Diet. Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in meat, eggs and milk, so people who don't eat these types of foods may need to take B-12 supplements. Some foods have been fortified with B-12, including some breakfast cereals and some nutritional yeast products.

What deficiencies Does menopause cause?

In addition, estrogen increases the activity of the enzyme responsible for activating vitamin D ⁽³⁴⁾ and so declining estrogen levels during the menopausal transition could lead to symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

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Does B12 help with hormone imbalance?

Growing evidence supports the importance of B12 with regard to hormone balance, in that many of the disorders associated with a hormone imbalance are also associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency. Without adequate B12, overall health is compromised in fundamental ways.

What does low B12 feel like?

Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas. Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking. Vision loss. Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes.

Is B12 deficiency serious?

If left untreated, the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency tend to worsen and irreversible problems involving the nerves and brain may develop. The risk of experiencing a number of serious complications, including heart failure, may also increase.

How long does it take to recover from B12 deficiency?

Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment. If you can, it's a good idea to address what's causing the deficiency.

What prevents B12 absorption?

A much more common cause of B12 deficiency, especially in older people, is a lack of stomach acid, because stomach acid is needed to liberate vitamin B12 from food. An estimated 10-30% of adults over the age of 50 have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food.

How long does it take to get B12 levels up?

Your liver stores B12 for a long time. It can take 3-5 years to use it up. You may get a shot once a week for a month. But you might need them more often if you have more serious symptoms, like nerve problems, or your pernicious anemia is serious.

Does B12 deficiency cause weight gain?

People with vitamin B12 deficiency are likely to experience a wide range of symptoms, though weight gain is unlikely one of them. If you're experiencing unexplained weight gain, consider discussing it with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to determine the root cause.

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What eating pattern is at greatest risk for B12 deficiency?

Strict vegans or vegetarians are at greater risk than lacto-ovo vegetarians and non-vegetarians of developing vitamin B12 deficiency because natural food sources of vitamin B12 are limited to animal foods.

What are the long term effects of B12 deficiency?

If you have low vitamin B12 level for a long time, you can have nerve damage. Symptoms of nerve damage include: Confusion or change in mental status (dementia) in severe cases. Problems concentrating.

Is B12 deficiency curable?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a treatable condition that happens if you are not consuming enough vitamin B12 in your diet or if your body is not absorbing it properly. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause physical, neurological and psychological symptoms. It can be treated with vitamin B12 medications.

What medications should not be taken with B12?

Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers ...

Is vitamin B12 good for estrogen?

4. B vitamins. B vitamins play an important role in the creation and activation of estrogen in the body. Low levels of these vitamins can lead to reduced levels of estrogen.

How can I balance my hormones during menopause?

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

How much B12 does a woman need?

Who needs more B12? Most women get the recommended daily amount — 2.4 micrograms (mcg) for most adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, and 2.8 mcg for women who are breastfeeding — in their diets.

Can Vitamin B12 deficiency cause hot flashes?

What happens when you don't get enough B12? Your body can't make enough red blood cells. You're more likely to get a cold or the flu. You get hot flashes.