Vitamin Levels Blood Test (Clinic Walk-In) – £89

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What Vitamin should be given and when?

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that the body only partially stores. So, it needs to be eaten on a regular basis.

People who follow or want to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may have already heard of this, since this kind of diet typically needs certain supplements.

We spoke to Dr. Martina Anderson, a nutritionist at H. Medical Care, to find out what it is and where to get it.

What is it for?

This nutrient plays many important tasks that are necessary for the body to work properly. It is very important for the metabolism of amino acids, nucleic acids, and fatty acids. Along with folic acid, it helps make DNA and RNA. It is also important for making red blood cells and bone marrow. And it also helps turn nutrients into energy and lowers stress by making you feel better.

Vitamin nutrition

It is found in foods from animals in the form of enzymes, which means it is connected to proteins and can be broken down by some stomach enzymes. We see it most often in:

• Meat;
• Fish;
• Liver;
• Milk;
• Egg;

Meat and milk have 60% of this vitamin, fish products have 30–40%, and eggs have less than 10%, according to certain research. Also, cooking takes away about a third of the nutrients.

Adults need about 2 to 2.4 mcg of this every day, which they usually get from a typical diet. However, pregnant or lactating women need to take more to give the proper amount to the baby.

What does it do?

People who eat a wide range of foods and have a balanced diet find it hard to notice a deficiency. This can happen in people who follow a vegan diet or when the absorption process in the intestine doesn’t operate correctly.

Malabsorption can be caused by inflammatory disorders, malabsorption diseases like celiac disease, too many germs, medicines, or a decrease in gastric acidity, especially in older people. It can also be caused by a lack of the intrinsic factor, which is what helps the body absorb nutrients.

For people who follow a vegan diet, the shortfall is because they don’t eat items that come from animals that have it.

The major effect of deficiency is a type of anemia called “pernicious,” which happens when the body doesn’t make enough blood cells. This might make you pale, weak, tingly in your limbs, and tired. In more severe instances, repercussions may potentially affect the nervous system.

Tests are used to make the diagnosis. If a deficit is suspected, the level of B12 in the blood is checked, and the size of the red cells is checked to make sure it isn’t too high.

Pregnant ladies should not be deficient since it might harm the unborn child.

Vegan Diets

Right now, there are no processed plant meals that can meet people’s needs for vitamin B12.

Some algae, brewer’s yeast, and some foods from Asia, such tempeh (made from soybeans) and Kombucha (Chinese tea), have this nutrient, but not in amounts that are useful for humans because our bodies can’t absorb them.
Because of this, those who only consume plants need to take this mineral in the form of particular supplements. Consuming fortified foods, i.e., those enriched with the vitamin, can also be useful. It is vital to start giving nutrients to babies right after delivery, even if their moms are vegan, to avoid insufficiency.
What does protein have to do with it?

B12, folates, and the vitamin C complex are very important because they help our bodies make proteins. Also, keep in mind that our bodies need stomach acid to absorb nutrients. This breaks the vitamin down from the proteins in food and links it to another molecule, making it easier for the body to absorb.

This nutrient is incredibly crucial for how the body works. Encouraging the creation of red blood cells and making it easier for proteins to break down supports the nervous system’s health.
What are the signs and reasons?

Deficiency is based on the body’s inability to absorb and store nutrients properly. Taking nutritional supplements that make up for the deficiency level could help vegan subjects avoid this problem.

Usually, the diagnosis is made by looking at the results of testing when symptoms like these show up:

• Anemia;
• A feeling of weakness in the lungs and muscles;
• Tingling in the hands and feet;
• Pale skin;
• Feeling dizzy;
• Confusion;
• Trouble walking

What causes and what are the signs of excesses?

When B12 levels are elevated, the underlying causes are often linked to severe health conditions:

• Diseases of the liver;
• Myeloproliferative disorders;
• Solid tumors;
• renal failure;
• alcoholism

It’s crucial to understand that having high levels doesn’t always mean you have certain conditions. Also, too much of something can cause a number of its own problems:

• Shaking;
• swelling;
• too much anxiety;
• fast heartbeat;
• Problems with the kidneys

A lot of people with these symptoms want to know how to lower their B12 levels when they are so high. But it’s crucial to realize that none of these conditions usually remain long because the body gets rid of the extra B12 through urine.
What are the biggest issues that come with having too much?

Nutritionists say that adults should eat 2.4 micrograms of this per day. If we take too much of it, our bodies won’t be able to get rid of the extra adequately, and we could get the following negative effects:

Heart failure: If we have too much of it in our bodies, the heart may not pump blood adequately, which can lead to heart failure. Because of this, people with heart difficulties should not take too much of this nutrient, especially in the form of injections, unless they are being well watched by a doctor.

Failure of the liver and kidneys. Too much of this sort can hurt both liver and kidney cells, which can hurt these two organs a lot.

Making clots.

Too much B12 can also produce blood clots, which can be quite dangerous since they stop blood from flowing normally. So, persons who know about clots or strokes should also stop taking it.

Problems with vision. Too much buildup in the body might also cause hazy vision.

How to bring the levels down?

Too much can cause certain problems. Because of this, it’s crucial to know how to lower it by watching what you eat.

To avoid B12 hypervitaminosis, you should stop eating some animal-based foods, such as:

Eggs; milk and anything made from milk; meat; fish

It is crucial to cut down on eating legumes, soy, wheat germ, and other plant-based foods that contain this.

Exercise is another important way to get rid of B12, since it makes you sweat, which helps get rid of it. It is also a good idea to drink a lot of water to help your body get rid of it through urine.