Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 has always been the Vitamin thought to only keep us safe from anemia, and this is true, but in addition to anemia, there are other symptoms that can lead us to believe we have a B12 deficiency. According to recent medical studies B12, a vitamin part of the B complex family is involved in many functions in our bodies.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Pale skin
- Diarrhea
- Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
- Breathing difficulties
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Soreness of the mouth or tongue
- A state of confusion of different severities. In elder patients, this can be confused with dementia.
People who are at more risk in developing Vitamin B12 deficiency are:
Patients with pernicious anemia, or suffering from a type of gastrointestinal disorder which requires supplementation.
People of advanced age. Recent studies have shown that around 30 percent of people ages 50 or more are suffering from atrophic gastritis, which in turns causes a reduction in the absorption of Vitamin B12.
People who are using certain medication that interferes with the proper absorption of B12.
People with a vegetarian diet. Here we have the vegetarians who don’t eat meat but eat eggs, milk, etc. And vegans, or strict vegetarians. Both need to take Vitamin B12 supplementation because B12 comes from animal food sources. An alternative would be to integrate fortified cereals to the diet.
It is important to know that these symptoms are not exclusive to a vitamin B12 deficiency. If you suspect you are suffering from this, the best thing to do would be to go and visit a doctor. Thanks to medical exams, a doctor will be able to determine if you are indeed suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency.