Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, is essential for forming red blood cells and DNA, as well as for proper brain and nerve function. It is found in eggs, meat, fish, dairy products and fortified foods. Alcoholics sometimes exhibit abnormal levels of vitamin B-12 due to liver problems, making it difficult to determine whether they are absorbing enough of this vitamin.

Blood Levels of Vitamin B-12

Alcoholics sometimes have higher than average blood levels of vitamin B-12, although these levels are usually still within the normal range, according to a study published in "Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski" in 2010. These high levels of vitamin B-12 are caused by liver damage from excess alcohol consumption. The higher the levels are, the more severe the liver damage, according to a study published in "Clinica Chimica Acta" in November 2012.

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

Alcoholics may not absorb vitamin B-12 efficiently, causing them to have a functional deficiency, with symptoms including tingling or numbness in the feet and hands, loss of appetite, constipation, weight loss, fatigue, memory loss, disorientation, mood changes and anemia. Supplemental vitamin B-12 treats this deficiency, but can sometimes hide a folate deficiency, which is another somewhat common vitamin deficiency among alcoholics. Because of this, doctors sometimes recommend taking folate as well as vitamin B-12.

Detection

Since alcoholic liver disease can raise blood levels of cobalamin while tissue levels of cobalamin are below normal, testing for holotranscobalamin can be used to detect vitamin B-12 deficiency in alcoholics, according to a March 2012 article published in "Scientific World Journal." If holotranscobalamin levels are low, it is an early sign a person may be suffering from a deficiency even though blood levels of vitamin B-12 are still in the normal range.

Considerations