Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12

Introduction:

Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin. Another common name for Vitamin B12 is red vitamin because it exists as a dark red crystalline compounds.

B12 plays a major role in the production of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and in the functioning of our nervous system. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. B12 is generally not present in plant foods, but fortified breakfast cereals are a readily available source of B12 with high bio availability for vegetarians.

How Much To Get?

The answer depends on things including our age, our eating habits and medical conditions, and what medications you take.

The average recommended amounts, measured in micro-grams (mcg), vary by age:

• Infants up to age 6 months: 0.4 mcg
• Babies age 7-12 months: 0.5 mcg
• Children age 1-3 years: 0.9 mcg
• Kids age 4-8 years: 1.2 mcg
• Children age 9-13 years: 1.8 mcg
• Teens age 14-18: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)
• Adults: 2.4 mcg (2.6 mcg per day if pregnant and 2.8 mcg per day if breastfeeding)

Vitamin B12 Deficiency & Symptoms:

Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common, especially in the elderly and vegetarians. We’re at risk of deficiency if we don’t get enough from our diet or aren’t able to absorb enough from the food we eat.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency:

A pale yellow tinge to your skin                                                 A sore and red tongue (glossitis)

Mouth ulcers                                                                                 Pins and needles (paresthesia)

Disturbed vision                                                                           Irritability

Depression                                                                                     Mood Changes

Weakness & Fatigue                                                                     Dementia

The Bottom Line

See your Family Physician if you’re experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. These conditions can often be diagnosed based on your symptoms and the results of the blood test. It’s important for vitamin B12 deficiency to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated. The longer the condition goes untreated, the higher the chance of permanent damage.


You can call 281-303-5678 to book your appointment and visit 2225 Williams Trace Blvd, Ste 109, Sugar Land, TX 77478 at the time of your appointment. 

Covid-19 Antibody Testing at I AND MY DOCTORS CLINIC: Should you get tested?

For the last several days, I AND MY DOCTORS CLINIC has been offering Covid-19 antibody testing to first responders in our area. This testing provides quick and reliable results which are crucial to understanding how the virus has spread and will be critical to opening up our economy.

What’s Antibody Testing?

The antibody test, which we’re offering to first respondents in our community, allows us to see if someone has been exposed to the Covid-19 virus in the past. We know that many people who thought they had the virus early on, when there was limited testing availability, were not tested for the virus. Now, that population can see if they were exposed.

What’s the test like?

It’s a blood test – a regular blood draw. We’re testing for antibodies specific to Covid-19. If you have the antibodies – you’ve been exposed. We’ve come across a number of people who have come back positive and never felt sick. On the other hand, some people who thought they had the virus are coming back negative.

How accurate are these tests?

We’ve put these tests through extensive validation to ensure accuracy in our laboratory. Our most important concern was that this test was specific for the Covid-19 infection, rather than antibodies for the annual coronavirus. We’re over 90% accurate. That’s as good as it gets.

If I want an antibody test, how do I go about getting one?

You can call 281-303-5678 to book your appointment and visit 2225 Williams Trace Blvd, Ste 109, Sugar Land, TX 77478 at the time of your appointment. 

How much does the test cost?

It costs $99 only.

How does the presence of antibodies relate to immunity?

Based on our experience with all other coronaviruses, it seems that prior infection does provide some level of immunity, but we don’t know the exact answer. An antibody test does give us information on the prevalence of the disease in certain communities.
Precautions that we’re taking in the clinic make it a safe place to come and a safe place to work. As more and more people are tested, we will be able to discuss immunity and antibodies.


To learn more about our Covid-19 Antibody Testing. Visit:  www.iandmydoctor.com/covid19test