Cyanocobalamin is often used to treat cases of malabsorption vitamin B12 deficiency. Certain conditions can be associated with this problem. Below, some of these are covered in brief detail. Please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. A vitamin B12 deficiency, even of the malabsorption type, could be caused by other underlying conditions. Additionally, that a patient does have one of these conditions does not mean he will necessarily have deficient levels of this vitamin. Talk to a medical professional for more information related to underlying causes.

Folic acid deficiency

This occurs when the patient does not have sufficient levels of folic acid (or folate). In recent years, the United States and Canada have begun a mandatory program for food fortification with folic acid. However, individuals who do not have proper nutrition or drink alcohol in excess are still considered to be at a higher risk for developing a folic acid deficiency.

From a study done in the U.S. during 1999-2000, only 0.5% of the individuals had low levels of folate after fortification (down from 16% prior to it). On the flip side, however, in the elderly, those with high levels of folate in the blood went up from 7% to 38%.

Pernicious anemia

This condition is a type of megaloblastic anemia brought on by a malabsorption deficiency of vitamin B12. In particular, it technically refers only to such cases in which the condition is brought on specifically by parietal cell loss or atrophic gastritis, although the term is often used to describe any form of megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.

Although the anemia and low levels of vitamin B12 may become corrected after supplementation, the individual is actually considered to still have pernicious anemia, as it is the underlying malabsorption that is the definition of the condition. In most cases, individuals with pernicious anemia will have the condition for the rest of their lives, however, they may not experience any other effects of the disease as long as vitamin B12 is being maintained through supplementation.