Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is responsible for much in the body and never is that more
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Home Collection Urine Test Kit
apparent than when you become B12 deficient. It is vitally important in the process of DNA synthesis and even has a role in neurological function. In order for the body to process B12 properly, you need to have several organs functioning in perfect harmony including the pancreas, stomach, small intestine and intrinsic factor.
In fact, the most common result of such a deficiency is a form of anemia that is specifically caused by a lack of B12. The number of red blood cells in the body drop because of the deficient B12 levels.
B12 deficiency can be caused by several things including:
- Alcoholism
- A lack of meat, eggs and dairy in the diet
- Crohn’s Disease
- An inability to absorb nutrients properly
- Tape worm
- A lack of intrinsic factor
While a vitamin deficiency does not sound all that serious, it really can be. The signs and symptoms along can be cause for alarm. Some common signs of this problem include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Numbness of the extremities
- Sore mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Cessation of menstruation
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Anemia
- Nervousness
- Behavioral changes
- Enlarged mucus membranes
Yes, those are a lot of signs and symptoms. If you have a combination of the above, you should really see your doctor right away. Studies have shown that B12 deficiency can even cause nerve damage.
It can be a scary thought to one day learn that you are seriously lacking this vitamin to the point where it is adversely affecting your health. If it turns out that you are suffering from anemia caused by a lack of B12, you will most likely be treated with B12 injections and then later on weaned off of these shots to be replaced by a balance diet. If, however, you have something called pernicious anemia, you will more than likely need B12 injections for the rest of your life.
A lack of vitamin B12 can reek havoc on your body, not to mention your mind. However, with an acute awareness of your own body and proper treatment, you should be just fine.
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August 7th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
my tongue is red and has cracks in it,went to doctor and he said to take vitamin b complex.how long do they take to help
January 25th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Is it possible for blood circulation to the extremities, i.e. white fingers and numbness, to be caused by extreme B12 deficiency?
April 14th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
My recent blood tests came back showing I was deficient in b12 vitamin. It showed under 200 so my Dr. chose not to give me injections. I am 61 yrs. old.
I do not seem to experience any of the symptoms mentioned with b12 deficiency except perhaps memory loss. Is it a good idea to have the b12 shots as precaution or is it better to start them when more obvious symptoms occur. I did not think to ask these questions of our very busy physician
when in for my last visit. Are there negative side
effects to the b12 shots.
I have a diet full of b12 vitamins so it must be an absorption problem.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
i have vitamin b12 deficiency. i used to have ciliac as a child but was slowly wiened from it. now i suffer symptoms of anemia and b12 deficiency included face numbness, dizzyness, fatigue, and numbness in arms and legs. I am only 24 and i have to recieve injections monthly for the restof my life.
May 4th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Try the B-12 patch- it is supposed to be equivalent to an injection
June 1st, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I had a variety of symptoms coming on slowly for years. I’m 59. I finally fell upon Vitamin B12 deficiency. Those are my symptoms. I started taking B12 2000 mcg per day and some of my symptoms disappeared immediately. I am hopeful.
D.
June 26th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Dear Cindy
If you were diagnosed with Celiac disease, then you still have Celiac disease. It’s a disease you have for life and the only cure is to never eat any products with gluten. There is no such thing as weaning yourself off it. I strongly suggest you go back to your doctor and insist on having yourself retested. Celiac disease destroys your intestinal cells and in turn leads to many vitamin deficiencies. The answer may not be having Vit B injections for the rest of your life…the answer is to stop eating Wheat, oats, rye and barley (grains containing gluten). I’m surprised your doctor hasn’t picked up on this if he/she knows your history of Celiac. Please, please go have this checked out. Celiac is totally manageable through your diet.
from Jane…your concerned Nutritionist
September 8th, 2009 at 5:21 am
I was recently diognosed with low B12. I am trying to think back to symptoms oter than the constant fatigue that I suffer. For tha past several montha I get a buzzing in my thighs and some times in my torso, it feels like my cell phone is vibrating in my pocket but I’m not carrying it. Is this a symptom of B 12 deficiency?
September 12th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I am 43 years old and I have just been diagnosed with a Vitamin B-12 deficiency. I have been anemic for many years and have a hard time with iron. It bothers my stomach. The only symptoms I have so far other than anemia are fatigue (which I have been blaming on my work commute) and a twitching in my eye (symptom from another site). My doctor has prescribed iron again and 100 mg of B12. I purchased a B12 complex of 100 mg each. Hope this works.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:54 am
To MB: You need at least 2,000 micrograms of sublingual B12 daily, and they should have given you a series of shots and ordered more blood tests to ensure that there’s no heart involvement. This deficiency has caused me brain atrophy and nerve damage. I’m 52.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I have had problems with ocular migraines, vertigo, dizziness, diarrhea, stiffness and pain in muscles and joints, lesions on MRI, carotid artery bruit ,heart murmur, fatigue, memory loss and changes in cognitive ability for the past ten years. I have a long list of doctors I have seen during this time span. Recently, went to a new neurologist. He tested my B12 level. I was SOOOO LOW ,it was “unmeasurable”. Basically he couldn’t tell how LOW it was. That is severe B12 deficiency. By the way, it’s due to intrinsic value malabsorption. Have started B12 injections with highest dose possible daily with hopes to reverse some of the neurological damage that has occurred. I’m RELIEVED to FINALLY find out what was wrong with me. However,I am pissed off that it was something this simple. IF only I knew about B12 deficiency 10 years ago, I wouldn’t be in the shape I’m in. I am already feeling better with the injections,( don’t know if that’s a placebo effect), but feel I am getting my life back. After my daily injections are completed, I go to weekly, then I will have monthly injections for the rest of my life..that’s FINE with me! I am 46 years old.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I have been struggling with poor health for a year, the major sign was tinnitus and foot tingling and numbness and muslce pain. I have seen so many doctors and the age old diagnosis of depression came early, I did not buy that or take anything for it. I told my doctor early on that I suspected B12 deficiency, he thinks it is a fad just to boost energy but he gave me a shot, I felt so much better for that entire day. I did a blood test a few days later which showed nothing of course after the shot. I have an aunt and first cousin who have B12 problems too. I have had lots of iron anemia over my life as well as hypothyroidism. Out of desperation I searched the net again a few months later and decided to look after myself, I am taking 2000mg of sublingual B12 along with folic acid, after 1 week I felt like I was alive again, no more brain fog and some energy for life. I think the tinnitus is getting lighter but sure hope the foot tingling also goes away. I have only been on this for 11 days. I will take 2000 for at least a month. I have had stomach problems for years and take so many drugs like Zantac and Losec and that is also a sign. I wish doctors would take this seriously. I have no fewer than 8 doctors for this and was brushed off. Like I said I sure hope that I can reverse some of the neurological damage.
November 17th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
If a person is diagnosed with B12 deficiency is it a life long probelem.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 am
I am 29 years old and have had severe stomach problems for about 12 years. B12 deficiency runs big on my moms side of the family. Some symptoms I have are numbnous of the extremities(hands, feet, legs and arms), forgetfulness, pains in left side of my head, dizziness, black floaties in both eyes, heart palpalations, pains down left arm and leg, muscle twitches, tired all the time and dizziness. I just want to know if these are signs of B12 deficiency. Please get back to me.
November 29th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Richard,
You could be deficient in Omega 3 EFA’s. Another blood test you will have to go for will be Magnesium. Normally, Magnesium deficiency does result in heart palpitations and muscle twitches. Last but not the least, any kind of Liver Dysfunction/a Sluggish Liver could result in all the SYMPTOMS that you have delineated. You may want to check your liver enzymes (Liver Function Test). Even if they are okay, it is highly likely that you have what is called a “Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease”. This can be diagnosed via. a CAT Scan/CT Scan/Sonography etc.
Unfortunately, Western Medicine/Allopathy has a terrible approach, which is non-holistic and therefore if your Liver Function Test comes out Normal, doctors might say your Liver is Okay. Many are not even aware of the fact that a sluggish Liver could cause hypoglycemia as Liver is a very important organ in Sugar Metabolism. You may want to do your own google research and get hold of a good Doctor, who is flexible and a little bit creative to help you diagnose the problem. Mineral and Vitamin Deficiencies are the root cause of many problems that Humanity faces today unfortunately the doctors hardly have a holistic approach and continue to treat the symptoms alone.
On a side note, may be your BODY IS HIGHLY ACIDIC and you may want to test the PH of your saliva or Urine. Again, an acidic body can cause all sorts of problems as there is no proper BLOOD FLOW into each and every cell in your system. The body makes sure that the BLOOD PH IS ALWAYS slightly alkaline i.e the PH is between 7.35 and 7.45. Unfortunately, since our bodies are 70% water, every single fluid in the body has to be slightly alkaline and therefore the Blood PH alone won’t give you an idea as to if your BODY IS VERY BADLY ACIDIC or it is slightly alkaline.
So, checking your urine for the PH or your saliva will point you in the right direction.
GoodLuck!!
December 28th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
i think more you know about these complex workouts in the body more you r likely to reverse the future risk of a potentiol serious sickness.naturologists are the perfect way to talk about these things .best way to find out and taking a quick look on your personal vitamins.thanks.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Five years ago I read a study that stated certain people with asthma may have a B12 deficiency and that if it is corrected, it could significantly improve symptoms and reduce the need for treatment with pharmaceuticals. My husband has been asthmatic since he was 1 year old. I bought him some sublingual methylcobalamin (5,ooo mcg – 5 mg)and he started feeling some relief within hours of his first dose. For about 7 days his lungs continuously cleared with much ease and he said that, for the first time in his life that he could remember, his lungs did not feel wet and labor fatigued. He now takes between 2 and 3 mg each morning. There have been a few times that he has run out at the same time the local HFS is out and this has led to the discovery that it takes about a week with no dosing for his symptoms to return.
January 13th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I’m now 25, and the past for years I’ve been suffering with a severe head ache that no drugs relieve. I’ve had many MRIs to make sure my brain was fine when the head ache started and was told it was migraines. The same neurologist told a friend of mine his life threatening heart condition was a migraine after he had a seizure while driving. Needless to say I’ve always believed it was something more.
Now that I can hardly live me life due to all the symptoms listed above and a few others such as falling, severe joint pain and shooting burning pains up my bones (like someone is hammering spikes into my heels as I walk), if I look down it feels like my spin is being pulled out and I get dizzy to the point my vision goes black and eye pain my Doctor is finally concerned but has not told me what he’s looking for. One of the blood test is B12 levels. Could all of these symptoms just be a B12 deficiency??
Another friend told me she had all the same symptoms as me when she got diagnosed with MS.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I just turned 37 and I have not felt good in over a year. I have been to many dr’s and still no diagnosis. It started out with severe headaches that usually are trigged with my cellphone. medicines will trigger them too. I have had 2 brain mri’s. Later tremors came and heavy arms and limbs. Extreme fatigue!!! I haven’t had a good night sleep in over a year. I have IBS symptoms also. My new dr says I have a b12 deficiency. I have had 3 injections and I see no results. I can’t take any vitamins because they make me weaker and heavier arms and limbs. It is like once they get in my body they don’t absorb right. I am getting really worried that there is something terrible wrong with me. I have a 9 and 2 year old. They need their mommy back! Could this really be b12?
January 27th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Am a 37 year old woman who only after years of severe depression,alcohol abuse(am now 4 years sober)hpv,ibs,peptic ulcers and a few other ailments,had a blood test,result b 12 deficiency I am shocked that this went un-noticed.I can not wrap my head around the fact that for years I suffered(attempted suicide hospital stays)all because It was not discovered that I was lacking one essential vitamin…What should my Dr.(health wise)be looking for now??
January 28th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Hi, I’m 23 and have been diagnosed with B12 deficiency, I’ve had a heavy dizzy head for ages at first i thought it was just anxiety but when i went for a health test at the doctors they said i had anemia, my bloody count is meant to be 125 but i only had 115 and was put in the red zone. I dont know whether i’m supposed to be really worried because i’ve had vitamin b strong tablets for the past week and they havnt taken the sympthooms away. When i go out i do drink rather alot but its more like binge drinking i think because i only really drink once a week. i had my stomach and my liver tested and everything was fine so is it just my diet do you think? iv gone through so many things of what i thought was wrong with me i am glad to have found out what it is but not glad to know there is actually something wrong with me!xx
February 1st, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I’m 24, been having what I now know to be symptoms of B12 deficiency .
When I would put my head down (chin to chest) there was a strange vibrating sensation through my spine. Months later the skin on my hands felt numb and tingly, followed by the skin around my stomach and chest felt really tight and strange. I was tired all the time, I would sleep the entire weekend away, all day and all night for weeks. I was only up to work and eat and even then I was really tired. Digestive issues are also a problem.
I was prescribed B12 injections for a month, then been taking B12 vitamins ever since. I admit I have not been taking them consistently, I have noticed the symptoms have returned. This time the skin from my hands and all the way up my shoulders fell numb and strange.
When B12 was part of my regular schedule, I felt tons better. All the above symptoms vanished (except the digestive issues which may be another matter)
I do not recommend anyone take these symptoms lightly, get a blood test and keep it under control.
May 31st, 2010 at 10:30 pm
[...] intestinal infestations such as tapeworm and other similar parasites may result to low B12 levels since these parasites compete with the absorption of nutrients in the [...]
July 1st, 2010 at 8:07 pm
[...] Repeated intestinal infestations such as tapeworm and other similar parasites may result to low B12 levels since these parasites compete with the absorption of nutrients in the [...]
July 2nd, 2010 at 11:39 pm
[...] intestinal parasitic diseases such as tapeworms and other parasites can low result similar to B12 levels , as these parasites compete with the body in the absorption of [...]
July 15th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Yes, the entire list is correct and amazingly I have all the symptoms. I am Celiac. I am also a Nutritionist. I have been told since the early 90’s by numerous doctors to TAKE B12. You are low. So I would buy the pills and they would make me sick. Who knows how much money I spent on pills that expired, I have no idea. Just recently I relocated and got a new doctor. In the first visit he did lab work. I received a phone call the next morning to come in for my B12 injection. You would think that would be a happy ending; however, the shots made me sick also. A month later I have gained six pounds, my legs ache so badly I can hardly walk and a whole new series of symptoms have begun. So today I was in for more testing!
July 19th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
i have felt dizzy, off balance, muscle weakness, twitching in my head, sinusitis, enlarged lymphnodes, and enlarged adenoids for about 3 years. i saw many doctors that always told me my blood work was fine and they didnt know why this was happening. finally my dr. sent me to a ent (ear, nose, throat) dr. they said my nasal passages were swollen and gave me many antibiotics and nasal sprays. none of this worked so i had a surgery to make my nasal passages bigger. what they did was shave off skin and now i can wiggle my septum beacause it is thinner. during the surgery is when my dr. noticed my adenoids were enlarged and told my mom before she came to pick me up from the hospital. i looked up symptoms for enlarged adenoids and it seemed like that was the cause. i asked my dr. and he said “yes, they are bigger than normal but is not blocking off my breathing.” he said if i wanted i could try to have them removed because it is a simple surgery and will not affect anyhting because you dont need your adenoids.so finally after more antibiotics and nasal sprays and allergy medicines and decided to have them removed. that wsa the stupidest thing ive ever done and now feel 100 times worse. it has been 9 months since ive had them removed and it still hurts. it has affected the way i eat, drink, and just swallow. i constantly have mucus caught where my adenoids wereand am always swallowing mucus. my tonsils have also swollen since the surgery and were never enlarged before and it seems hard to talk a lot and say certain words. i basically gave up on doctors since ive only felt worse. finally i decided to go back and they took blood. said everything was good except my vitamon b12. now after reading about b12 it seems more likely that that has been my problem. it sucks that i can not take back the adenoid surgery but can the lack of b12 be causing these symptoms. i rarely ever want to eat and that is the main thing that makes me mad. can anyone help me? by the way i am a smoker and trying to stop. i beleive now thats what was causing my nose and adenoids problems but even if i do stop i will still not have my adenoids.
August 24th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Hi, being a Vegetarian I know what the B12 deficiency is and how fast it breaks your health! Some years back my doc bumped me on shots and I had to take them every 2 weeks. My British wife suggested me a Natural alternative to fix my Vitamin B12 deficiency – partly as there were long waits for the doc too. She suggested me using a British product called ‘Marmite’ which is 100% Vegetarian/Vegan and its rich in Vitamin B12, after some ‘research’ on the internet i bought a jar of ‘Marmite’ which was awful in taste but eventually I got used to the taste as I used (and still do) as a spread on my morning toast.
In a year and a half, my B12 levels are perfectly normal! I feel healthy and never felt better in my life! Try ‘Marmite’, you will not regret it!
Thank you for reading.