Vitamin B12 (NLOSS)

Patient Information Factsheet

North London Obesity Surgery Service (NLOSS)

What does vitamin B12 do?

• Vitamin B12 helps your nerves work and is needed for making DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) inside your cells.
• DNA and RNA are essential for life because they help cell's function, grow, and repair themselves.
• Thay are like instruction manuals inside your cells.
• Vitamin B12 also works with folic acid to make red blood cells and other substances that help your heart, blood vessels, and immune system stay healthy.

What happens if my B12 is low / if I do not get enough B12?

• It is common for people with low vitamin B12 (deficiency) to get anaemia because their body cannot make blood cells properly.
• With this type of anaemia, the blood cells become too big and the control centre of the cell (the nucleus) does not form properly.
• If low vitamin B12 continues for a long time, serious problems can happen. These include permanent nerve damage, memory problems, and dementia.
• If you do not have enough B12 you may notice that you become tired easily and weak.
• You mayexperience dizziness, heart palpitations (rapid heartbeats), and feel short of breath.
• Other common symptoms are poor appetite, sore/swollen tongue, and numbness and tingling of the hands and feet.

What are other symptoms?

• Diarrhoea
• Yellowish skin and eyes
• Irritability and depression
• Psychosis (a mental health condition where a person loses touch with reality)
• Muscle weakness, difficulty walking
• Changes in vision
• Burning sensation around mouth.

Where can I get B12?

• Vitamin B12 is found only in foods that come from animals.
• Plants do not make B12 - fruits, vegetables, beans and grains will not supply this vitamin.
• Good food sources of vitamin B12 include fish, dairy products, organ meats (especially liver and kidney), eggs, beef, and pork.
• You can also get B12 in dietary supplements.
• It is found in most multivitamins and B-complex vitamins.
• It also comes in tablets, capsules, liquids, and pills that dissolve under your tongue.
• It is also available as a prescription, as an injection or as a nasal spray.
• If you have low vitamin B12, your doctor will likely ask you to take B12 supplements or prescription B12.
• You must also make sure that you are getting enough B12 in the food that you eat.

Other important things

• If you have weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass, it can be harder for your body to absorb vitamin B12 from food and some supplements.
• Because of this, your Doctor may ask you to use a product that dissolves under the tongue or to get regular injections to help prevent problems.
• If you have low vitamin B12, the Doctor will give you care instructions as well as appointments for follow ups and tests. You must follow any care they recommend and attend these appointments.

Further information

Please visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others/

Contact our service

Should you need more information, please contact our Specialist Bariatric Dietitians on 020 7288 5989, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.