Understanding Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms is important to help you prevent long-term neurological effects and damages from a lack of Vitamin B12. By catching symptoms early, it’s possible to alter your diet or begin taking vitamins and nutritional supplements to prevent a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms can be very similar to many other ailments; hence the need to monitor them closely and listen to what your body is telling you. If you notice any of these symptoms and believe it is caused from a nutritional imbalance, check with your doctor or healthcare provider soon. Long-term neurological damages could occur otherwise.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms:
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Quick exhaustion during exercise
- Light headed when getting up from a bed or chair
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhea (in conjunction with other complications and factors)
- Pale skin
- White patches on the skin (typically small and grouped together)
- Problems focusing on a task (i.e. reading, working, hobbies)
- Confusion
- Dementia (in more severe and prolonged cases)
- Depression
- Lack of balance
- Dizziness
- Numbness or a tingling sensation in hands or feet
- Swollen tongue (usually accompanied with redness)
- Bleeding gums
Because these are common symptoms shared with other problems, it helps to know your diet and normal body status. Vitamin B12 is naturally included in meat, shellfish, poultry eggs and dairy products and is absorbed through the small intestines with help from proteins made in the stomach. People that do not eat a lot of these foods are more susceptible to Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. Vegetarians and vegans are more at risk due to their lack of food sources from animals. Other risk groups include people with intestine surgeries or intestine problems like Celiac disease or Chron’s disease. These diseases prevent the natural absorption of Vitamin B12 into the bloodstream.
Excellent sources of Vitamin B12 for those with deficiencies include nutritional supplements and fortified cereals and grains.
Please contact your doctor or health care professional if you are experiencing any of these Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.
