Diagnosis
To help diagnose vitamin deficiency anemia, you might have blood tests that check for:
- The number and look of red blood cells.
- The amount of vitamin B-12 and folate in the blood.
- Antibodies to intrinsic factor, which means pernicious anemia. Antibodies are proteins the immune system makes to fight off invaders.
Treatment
Treatment for vitamin deficiency anemia involves taking the vitamin you don't have enough of. For pernicious anemia, you most often get vitamin B-12 in a shot. You may need to keep getting the shot for the rest of your life.
Vitamin B-12 comes as:
- Shots into a muscle or under the skin.
- Pills taken by mouth.
- A liquid or tablet that dissolves under the tongue.
- Nose gel or sprays.
Medicines to boost folate levels most often come as pills to take by mouth. But some people get folic acid through a tube into a vein.
Preparing for your appointment
Start by seeing your main healthcare professional, who may send you to a specialist in blood conditions, called a hematologist.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
Make a list of:
- Your symptoms and when they began.
- Key medical information, including other conditions you have.
- All medicines, vitamins and supplements you take, including dosages.
- Questions to ask your healthcare professional.
For vitamin deficiency anemia, basic questions to ask include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What else could cause my symptoms?
- Is my condition likely to go away or to last?
- What treatment do you suggest?
- I have another health condition. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- What foods do I need to add to my diet?
- Where can I find more information about vitamin deficiency anemia?
Be sure to ask all the questions you have.
What to expect from your doctor
Your healthcare professional may ask you questions, such as:
- How bad are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to make your symptoms better?
- Does anything seem to make your symptoms worse?
- Are you a vegetarian or a vegan?
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, how often, and how many drinks do you have?
- Do you use tobacco products?
