08:01 pm
Sunday 13 November 2022
Vitamin B12 contributes to many essential bodily functions, so its deficiency has serious effects. However, inaccurate tests and unclear symptoms indicate the possibility of misdiagnosis of other diseases in many patients.
Reports indicate that failure to accurately diagnose the condition resulted in the woman becoming “paralyzed and bedridden”, according to the ‘Express’ newspaper.
Blood cells are highly dependent on vitamin B12 for their formation within the bone marrow and can die quickly without the key nutrient.
A large number of people with vitamin B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency suffer from underdeveloped red blood cells.
The UK NHS explains: ‘Vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency anemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually but can get worse if the condition is not treated.’
A detailed case study from Illustrated describes a wide range of symptoms associated with defects in blood cell production.
The report describes the case of Elaine, who was in her 70s when she suffered from severe iron deficiency anemia, scoliosis, severe arthritis and depression.
The wide range of her symptoms clearly suggested an underlying deficiency, but the lack of accurate testing caused Elaine’s symptoms to worsen further.
His symptoms included aggression, bed confinement and shortness of breath, which doctors believe are related to internal bleeding caused by anemia.
A series of clinical investigations yielded inconclusive results, with no evidence of internal bleeding.
Although the anemia was later treated with iron transfusions and more blood transfusions, all of this failed to improve Elaine.
Relatives of the 70-year-old woman suggested she might have a vitamin B12 deficiency, but this was ruled out on the basis that her serum levels were normal.
While Elaine’s health deteriorated significantly, family members also raised the possibility of her developing vitamin B12 deficiency with several specialists involved in her case. This has always been dismissed as serum levels are ‘in range’, which to inexperienced clinicians, unfortunately, means ‘completely normal’.
After being released from the hospital, Elaine was bedridden, paralyzed, aggressive, and depressed.
That was no longer the case when she was finally readmitted to the hospital, eventually being diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency.
He began treatment with high doses of methylcobalamin drops and taking regular B12 injections.
Over time, her iron levels started to stabilize and then improve.
Even if a deficiency is diagnosed, the path to correcting it can be long and arduous, so health experts recommend checking your symptoms early.
Read also:
A kind of candy that lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.. What is it?
“Causes atherosclerosis”.. 4 types of drinks, be careful to consume them
The first two symptoms reveal colon cancer.. Beware of them
Seen in 60% of patients… a serious symptom of lung cancer
Pay attention.. How do the symptoms of diabetes differ in women?
