A recent article in the New York Times explains the importance of getting adequate B12 in your diet, using supplements, if necessary: “As we age, our ability to absorb B12 from food declines, and often so does our consumption of foods rich in this vitamin. A B12 deficiency can creep up without warning and cause a host of confusing symptoms [memory problems, shakiness, unsteady gait, and more] that are likely to be misdiagnosed or 
ascribed to aging.”
That is a great article- It’s sad, but true that many doctors don’t bother testing for B12 deficiency in elderly patients. It’s like they just don’t bother. B12 deficiency is a serious problem that causes horrible symptoms like depression, “brain fog,” memory loss, and pain and numbness in your fingers, feet, and toes. Older people are really at risk, because they cannot digest B12 as well as younger folk (something to do with stomach acids and intrinsic factor).
Here is a site that has great info on B12 deficiency- I use it often.
http://www.b12patch.com/blog/
It is partially true what Jane Brody wrote in her column about vitamin B12 and B12 deficiency. I have been researching vitamin B12 for 25 years and have co-authored two books on the subject (Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses, 2nd Ed. 2011, 1st Ed. 2005.) Unfortunately, Jane Brody failed to reference our books, or credit us. We have written to the editor for a clarification. We have started B12 Awareness back in 2009. We are an ER nurse and ER physician who have written two books on the subject and are active in the community to educate the public and reeducate the health care community. B12 deficiency is common and frequently misdiagnosed as other disorders. It causes poor and debilitating health, cognitive decline, fall-related trauma, neurologic injury, disability, poor outcomes, and premature death. Billions of health care dollars are spent on undiagnosed B12 deficiency. The 2nd edition of our book has a new cost-effectiveness chapter which explains in detail the costs spent on misdiagnosed B12 deficiency. B12 deficiency can strike at any age from neonates to geriatrics. We are trying to get the Surgeon General involved to include Undiagnosed B12 deficiency as a “Call for Action,” for 2012.
Sally M. Pacholok, RN, BSN
Jeffrey J. Stuart, DO
Regarding treatment of B12 deficiency, I recently heard about a new oral prescription alternative to the injections called Eligen B12. I recently read that it works even if you don’t have intrinsic factor (so even if you don’t have normal gut absorption). Apparently it came out a month or two ago. Has anyone heard of it or tried it??