D51.1: Vitamin B 12 deficiency anaemia due to selective vitamin B 12 malabsorption with proteinuria

Vitamins are substances the body needs for many tasks. The body is unable produce most vitamins by itself. These vitamins must be taken in through food. Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the small intestine. Vitamin B12 has to bind to special receptor sites in the small intestine to be able to be absorbed. You don’t have enough receptor sites or the receptor sites are not working properly. This condition is congenital, which means you were born with it. You are therefore not taking in enough vitamin B12.

At the same time, these receptor sites are also present in the kidneys. The kidneys are where these receptor sites bring back proteins into the body from the urine. The receptor sites in your kidneys are also not working properly. As a result, you have lost proteins via your urine.

Blood is made up of a liquid part and different blood cells, among other things. The blood cells include the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. The red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs throughout the body.

Red blood cells contain the red hemoglobin that gives blood its color. This pigment is important for carrying oxygen in the blood. Haemoglobin needs various nutrients to be formed. These nutrients include, for example, various proteins, vitamins and iron.

You don’t have enough haemoglobin because you don’t have enough vitamin B12 in your body. If you don’t have enough haemoglobin, then the body can no longer transport as much oxygen. This can mean you’re exhausted more quickly or you have difficulty breathing. The nerves also need vitamin B12 to be able to work properly.