Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Signs and Symptoms

 

Does your body get enough vitamin B12? Your body requires this vitamin to stay healthy. Your body does not make vitamin B12. You can get it from animal-based foods or supplements regularly. 

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin meaning it can dissolve in water and travel through the bloodstream. The liver can store vitamin B12 for up to five years, though you can become deficient if you lack vitamin B12 rich foods in your diet. The body can get rid of any excess or unwanted vitamin B12 in the urine.

Vitamin B12 nutrient is essential for body processes, like DNA synthesis, energy production, and central nervous system function.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among older adults. It may also occur in children and younger adults, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

People who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet might be prone to vitamin B12 deficiency because plant foods do not contain vitamin B-12. Your body’s cells need B12 to function well. Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur when levels of vitamin B12 become too low to meet the demands of the body. Having inadequate B12 levels can decrease red blood cell production.

Below are some signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Headaches

People with low B12 levels experience headaches.
In one study in 2019 with 140 people, half of them who experienced migraines were deficient in B12.

Gastrointestinal issues

Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause gastrointestinal complications like diarrhea, nausea, constipation, bloating, and gas.

Difficulty concentrating and mental impairment

Vitamin B12 deficiency negatively impacts the central nervous system. People with low B12 levels may have difficulty concentrating and completing tasks. Older adults are at risk because the risk of B12 deficiency increases with age.

Pain and inflammation of the tongue

Glossitis refers to an inflamed, red, and painful tongue due to insufficient B12 vitamins. In people with this deficiency, glossitis can appear alongside stomatitis, characterized by sores and inflammation in the mouth. 

Seek medical attention because glossitis can also be due to other nutrient deficiencies like folate, riboflavin (B2), and niacin

Paresthesia in hands and feet

Paresthesia is a medical term that refers to a burning or pins-and-needles sensation in some body parts, like the hands and feet. Most people who are deficient in vitamin B12 experience paresthesia.

Muscle cramps and muscle weakness

People deficient in vitamin B12 experience muscle cramps and weakness. These symptoms come up when the motor and sensory nerve function is negatively affected.

Impaired coordination

Ataxia, or impaired balance and coordination, is a neurological symptom caused by B12 deficiency. A person deficient in vitamin B12 may have difficulty walking and balancing.

Erectile dysfunction

Men with B12 deficiency may experience erectile dysfunction due to increased homocysteine levels in the body.

Vision disturbances

People deficient in vitamin B12 may experience visual disturbances due to optic nerve damage.

Summary

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, pain and inflammation of the tongue, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, impaired coordination, erectile dysfunction, and visual disturbances.

If you are experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms, visit a healthcare professional to undergo appropriate testing and seek treatment.