Patient was educated on signs and symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia as follows:
- Vitamin B12 is required for normal maturation of red blood cells in the human body. Mature red blood cells in circulation help pick up oxygen from the lungs, transport oxygen, and deliver it to the various body tissues.
- Deficiency of vitamin B12 can result in compromised and incomplete maturation of red blood cells. This can result in immature red cells in blood circulation that are poorly functional, in comparison to the mature red blood cells. Immature red blood cells are short-lived and do not survive for the length of time that normal mature red blood cells do. This can result in poor oxygen transport by red blood cells, reduced count of red blood cells, and anemia. Also, these immature red cells from vitamin B12 are big in size and so, this anemia is called megaloblastic anemia.
- Anemic patients with low red blood cell count present with deficient oxygen and nutrient transport to all the body tissues. The major symptoms of anemia arise from deficient transport of oxygen and nutrients by red blood cells and consequent compromised function of various body tissues.
- Vitamin B12 is also needed for synthesis of DNA, which carries the genetic information in all the cells of human body. Normal synthesis of DNA is important for healthy growth and cell division. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can result in compromised genetic material synthesis in all tissues of the body. This can result in defective growth and function of all body tissues, especially the skin and nervous tissues.
- Vitamin B12 helps with the body metabolism of dietary carbohydrates, fats, and protein and energy production.
Consequently, deficiency of Vitamin B12 in patients can present with the following signs and symptoms.
- Cold extremities: Rich supply of blood and oxygen to the distal extremities is needed for maintenance of warmth. Low blood cell count with deficient oxygen supply in anemic individuals result in cold extremities to touch.
- Dizziness and confusion: Brain and nervous tissues are highly dependent on oxygen supply for their normal function. Reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain in anemic individuals, can result in headache, dizziness, and confusion.
- Depression and neuropathy: Poor DNA synthesis involving the brain and nervous tissues can result in dementia, depression, and neuropathy. Patients can present with increasing forgetfulness, slowing of thought process, inability to concentrate, fatigue, irritability, tingling and numbness of hands and feet, altered sensitivity to touch and temperature, radiating burning sensation in extremities, poor coordination and balance, and increased risk for falls & accidents.
