Vitamin B12 Deficiency – A Silently Dangerous Epidemic?

“It Could Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses” is an interesting and insightful book, written by Sally Pacholok, R.N. and Jeffrey Stuart, D.O.

The book presents the detrimental effects of B12 deficiency, how the medical profession are failing to recognise and diagnose it, and what we can do about this silent, and dangerous problem.

According to Pacholok and Stuart, “Vitamin B12 deficiency affects about one quarter of the U.S. population.” Thankfully however, early treatment is effective and can prevent disability – but only if doctor’s diagnose in time!

The book lists many symptoms of B12 deficiency, and it’s not surprising that the condition often goes unnoticed, given that many of the signs are commonly attributed to old age. Some of these symptoms include fatigue, pallor, weight loss, dizziness, falls, tinnitus, and dementia.

The authors stipulate that B12 deficiency can affect,

“One person with tremors, makes another depressed or psychotic, and causes agonizing leg and arm pains or paralysis in still another. It can mimic Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, early Parkinson’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, or chronic fatigue syndrome. It can make men or women infertile or cause developmental disabilities in their children. Other times it lurks silently, stealthily increasing its victim’s risk of deadly diseases ranging from stroke and heart attacks to cancer.”

Why does the medical profession fail to diagnose this condition? Well, the book details a number of reasons, one being that doctor’s often only request a serum B12 test, however this test fails to reveal many cases of the deficiency. Pacholok and Stuart urge that patients must insist on a urinary MMA (serum methylmalonic acid) test as well.

My thoughts

I found the book to be well written, interesting, and easy to follow. The authors provide a through incite into the symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment of B12 deficiency. At the end of each chapter you will also find a host of scientific journal references backing up their claims.

Personally, I could have coped with fewer case studies throughout the book, however I do understand that this will be a major selling point for many readers, who prefer personal testimonials.

Table of contents

1. An Invisible Epidemic
2. Is It Aging – or Is It B12 Deficiency?
3. Deadly Mimic: When B12 Deficiency Masquerades as Multiple Sclerosis or Other Neurological Disorders
4. Am I Losing My Mind? When B12 Deficiency Causes Mental Illness
5. Stroke, Heart Disease, and Other Vascular Problems: The B12-Homocysteine Connection
6. Lost Children: When B12 Deficiency Causes Developmental Disabilities or Learning Problems
7. Vitamin B12 and Cancer, Impaired Immune Function, and Autoimmune Disease
8. Under the Knife: Why Low B12 Levels Make Surgery Dangerous
9. Can’t Conceive? How B12 Deficiency Contributes to Male and Female Infertility
10. Protecting Yourself: Are You at Risk for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
11. Information for Physicians
12. Speculation: The Possible Role of Vitamin B12 in Autism
13. A Call for a United Effort

In summary

If you suffer from B12 deficiency, or fear that you may be deficient, I highly recommended this book. For those suffering unnecessarily, it gives hope; I’ve certainly had my eyes opened, and will be much more vigilant in future!

A note of warning, as with many recommendations, scientific research can be taken out of context, therefore I caution against self-diagnosis. If you feel you, or someone you know, may have the symptoms of B12 deficiency, please do insist that your doctor carries out the appropriate testing.

Best wishes!