Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms and causes

Treatments

Conditions

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The symptoms

Physical symptoms

This can manifest as feeling tired, weak or nauseous. Your appetite may diminish, your weight may drop, or you might develop a sore mouth or tongue. Some also see their skin looking slightly yellow.

Nerve-related symptoms

Symptoms that can present as tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, blurry vision or difficulty walking and speaking clearly. You may also tend to feel more forgetful or confused than normal.

Neurological symptoms

Neurological and psychological symptoms may include feeling down, moody or easily annoyed. You might also find that your mood or behaviour seems to change for no apparent reason.

When to see a doctor?

Consultation Is The Key

When should you be worried?

Be worried if a deficiency in Vitamin B12 was diagnosed. If some of the symptoms occur for example, if you are tired all the time, have neurologic symptoms or notice strange feelings or tingling in your hands or feet, schedule a consultation with your doctor to perform a physical exam and request for blood tests. Because this does not mean that everything is in order. In the absence of treatment, a Vitamin B12 deficiency can become worse. A complete blood count will help determine if you need to take supplements or injections, so there is no need to worry too much.

Advised treatments

B12-shot

Body Treatment

The causes

What causes low B12?

Some common causes include:

Poor diet: If you don’t eat sufficient foods containing B12, like meat and dairy products, or fortified foods, you can become low. This is more common in those on vegetarian or strict vegan diets.
Gastritis: Once you are in your fifties or sixties and for some even in their forties, this is when your stomach lining becomes inflamed and lower stomach acid means you absorb B12 less well.
Pernicious anemia: A rare condition in which your body does not produce enough of a protein called intrinsic factor, which is required to absorb B12.
Digestive diseases: Diseases like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease can prevent your body from fully absorbing nutrients including B12.
Gastrointestinal surgery: Surgeries such as gastric bypass surgery or weight loss surgery can affect how your body absorbs vitamins.
Alcohol use disorder: Excessive alcohol can harm your intestines and affect your ability to absorb B12.
Rare genetic conditions: Transcobalamin II deficiency, which alters how B12 travels through your body.

The risk factors

Who is at increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency?

Older people find it particularly difficult, especially those over 75, to get sufficient Vitamin B12 from food.
Digestive issues such as Crohn’s or celiac disease can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, including B12.
Natural sources of B12 are mostly meat and dairy, so vegan or vegetarian diet may not be getting enough vitamin b 12.
Certain medicines like diabetes drugs, heartburn medicines like proton pump inhibitors and even birth control pills, can gradually reduce B12 levels.
Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, greatly raises the risk of low B12 where your immune system starts attacking healthy cells.
Alcohol drinking can harm the gut too, disrupting its ability to absorb this critical vitamin.

The complications

Hidden Dangers

What can go wrong when vitamin B12 deficiency goes untreated?

Megaloblastic anemia for having fewer red blood cells which can leave you feeling tired, weak, and short of breath.
Nerve damage like tingling, numbness or burning in your hands and feet.
B12 might adversely affect your brain, leading to confusion, forgetfulness or even early dementia.
A lack of the vitamin has been associated with depression, irritability and behavioral changes.

Some may have difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
B12 deficiency can also injure the optic nerve, causing blurred or distorted vision.
Possible pregnancy complications and birth defects.

The prevention

Consume Vitamin B12-Fortified Foods

How does it help?

One of the best ways to avoid nutritional deficiencies is to get enough from the food you eat. Include meat, fish, eggs and milk, cheese and breakfast cereals with added B12.

Staying healthy

If you’re not eating B12-rich foods, your body may not receive everything it requires to remain healthy. That over time can make you feel very tired, weak or even confused.

Supplements Are A Great Help

Can taking vitamin supplements make a difference?

Yes, dietary supplements, a great option to resolve dietary insufficiency. They are easy to find and can help ensure that you get enough of this important vitamin.

Always check with your doctor

Those who don’t eat meat or dairy, and older people, may need B12 supplements. If in doubt, consult your health professionals.

Treat Medical Conditions

Can health problems lead to B12 deficiency?

Yes. Digestive issues such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease can hinder your body’s ability to absorb B12. If you have these conditions and treat them, it can help keep your levels normal.

Early intervention

If these health issues aren’t treated, your body may not get the B12 that it requires. Getting help sooner can make a huge difference.

Drink Less Alcohol

Does alcohol lower B12 levels?

Yes, drinking heavily can damage the lining of your stomach, making it more difficult for people to absorb B12. Reducing allows your body to absorb vitamins better.

Limit your intake

It can lead to vitamin issues if you drink a lot or often. Try to avoid or talk to a doctor about what’s safe to do.

Get Regular Check-ups

Can blood tests help catch low B12 early?

Yes. A basic blood test can tell whether your B12 is too low, even before symptoms hit.

Who should be screened regularly?

Older adults, those with stomach or gut problems or those on some types of medication should talk to their doctor about testing B12 regularly.