#cobalamin deficiency

[spartanmemesmedical]

What Happens if Your B12 Deficiency Is Left Untreated?

What Happens if Your B12 Deficiency Is Left Untreated?

Introduction: Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis, plays a critical role in maintaining overall health. However, when B12 deficiency goes untreated, it can lead to a range of health issues, from minor discomforts to severe complications. In this blog, we’ll explore the potential consequences of ignoring B12 deficiency and why timely…

[livingwithchildren]

Salt is not a garnish

So I've taken the initiative that my ENTIRE family will eat better, vegetarian toddler or not, because we all need to! I got the idea last night after I made dinner, which was crap, by the way. I like to experiment and really it would have been really good if I had a better cut of meat. I will never buy cube steak again. I'm not even sure what you would use it for. May have to hide the salt too. My husband seems to think it should be used as a garnish and not as seasoning.

So follow me and see just how severe we may get. (Okay, so I'm not perfect either and I enjoy soda, I'm not big on sweets, but my downfall is soda.) So, today I will take some time and chart out some everyday foods and the nutrition behind them. (And of course, I will add the protein count too) Will see how far I get and may post some of them so that those of you wanting to get healthier may get a few ideas of your own.

[livingwithchildren]

Preparing for the worst - hoping for the best

It seems as though I have taken up my old "research assistant" title and delved into the world of B12 and its disorders. Well, we (my daughter but I find that I too place myself within the folds of her diagnosis) started with being diagnosed with methylmalonic acidemia type CBLF (very very rare stuff) - but recently dropped the severity of the CBLF. Now blood work is showing no defect for methylmalonic, uh, awesome! The defect is showing more towards transcobalamin 2. Very hard words to understand, very complicated stuff to understand.

One against the other? Well, one (methylmalonic) is very protein controlled in diet (harder than being a vegan in my opinion) and the other is not protein controlled at all!

We understand that replacing B12 in her body is a life thing - ok, we can handle that.

Now I know I will be holding my breath, but on several sites I see the words "complete recovery" when referencing "transcobalamin 2 deficiency."

[livingwithchildren]

B12 Deficiency

Cobalamin Deficiency (commonly known as B12 Deficiency) is a toughy. Not necessarily because it is difficult to treat, but depending on the age, size and caregivers of those who need to keep the treated on track. I am 33 years old and I do not have a B12 Deficiency. My husband, who is 34, does not have B12 issues and my son who is honing in on 4, is healthy as can be. It is my one year old who has been diagnosed with a Cobalamin Deficiency. Tests are done when we visit and a very specialized team is working on the exacts of what type of deficiency because once you cruise through WebMD or any other medical site, you will see there are many types.

WebMD tells us that

(B12) works with the B vitamin folate to make our body's genetic material. It helps keep levels of the amino acid homocysteine in check, which may help decrease heart disease risk, and it is essential to the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the blood to the body's tissues.

Now, I'm not a doctor and I sure don't pretend to be one, but that sounds like the start of a headache. 

She needs B12. Now for you and I who can swallow a pill, it's not too big of an issue. But when you are a toddler, who doesn't swallow pills and who isn't even drinking regular milk yet, it becomes complicated. Now, the other alternative to a pill is of course, the injection. Yes, I said injection. Which means that my husband (who is afraid of needles, sorry sweety but everyone will know) and I have to give her this B12 shot a couple of times a week.

As a mother, it is very trying for me to have to poke my baby in the leg (especially since she is ticklish there and giggles only second before screaming). I'm tough though, being a diabetic myself and having to work with needles, no biggy right? Well, as most mothers would say, they do it because they have to and it is a biggy knowing it's you thats making her scream.

But the injections help. B12 is being put back into her body so that the acids in her stomach won't take over her whole body, since B12 has a role in basically your whole body.

Again, WebMD tells us to watch for the symptoms:

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

A deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. A mild deficiency may cause only mild, if any, symptoms. But as the anemia worsens it may causes symptoms such as:

weakness, tiredness or light-headedness

rapid heartbeat and breathing

pale skin

sore tongue

easy bruising or bleeding, including bleeding gums

stomach upset and weight loss

diarrhea or constipation

If the deficiency is not corrected, it can damage the nerve cells. If this happens, vitamin B12 deficiency effects may include:

tingling or numbness in fingers and toes

difficulty walking

mood changes or depression

memory loss, disorientation, and dementia

B12 deficiency in infants, if not detected and treated, can lead to severe and permanent damage to the nervous system. New mothers who follow a vegetarian diet should have their babies' B12 levels checked by a doctor.

So get checked out, because my little girl (even though her diagnosis goes beyond just the cobalamin) is much happier and healthier because I have to swallow hard a couple of times a week and jab her in the leg :)