Although the most commonly recognised cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is Pernicious Anaemia, there is a variety of different causes and risk factors that can also cause or contribute to the deficiency. Whilst most people will have only one cause of their deficiency, it is possible to have more than one cause present.

 

To simplify, these causes can be put into 6 main categories:

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1. Dietary deficiency

2. Autoimmune disease

3. Drug or surgically induced deficiency

4. Inborn metabolic error

5. Parasitic infection

6. Other malabsorption/processing issues

Please see more about these main categories below.