10 Signs Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

October 27,2023

By Dr. Upasna Nagpal

Tingling Hands Or Feet

If you have Vitamin B12 deficiency, it can cause peripheral neuropathy. This causes tingling, numbness, and sensory disturbances in the hands and feet.

Trouble Walking

If you have a sense of numbness in your hands and feet, it can make it difficult to move. Thus over a period of time, peripheral nerve damage can constrain your movements.

Anaemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anaemia - a type of anaemia that leads to fewer and larger red blood cells. This reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood.

Shortness of Breath

Thanks to anaemia, there's reduced oxygen delivery to the body's tissues, thus leading to shortness of breath and even dizziness

Pale Skin Or Jaundice

As the body is unable to produce enough RBCs, it can lead to pale skin and yellowing of the skin, which is also called jaundice. .

Fatigue

Are you feeling unusually tired and weak? This can be a primary symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Fast Heart Rate

Reduced RBCs in the body can lead to the heart starting to beat faster. This happens because the body tries to ensure that enough oxygen reaches all the organs.

Mouth Pain

Due to a reduction in RBC production, less oxygen reaches the tongue and it can lead to several health issues like glossitis, which leads to a swollen red tongue, a bad taste in the mouth or a burning sensation.

Mental Health Problems

Some studies have indicated that Vitamin B12 deficiency and depression are linked. Apart from mental health issues, this deficiency can also affect cognitive functions, leading to memory problems, difficulty in concentrating, and mood fluctuations.

Vision Problems

Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to optic nerve damage that can cause vision disturbances. Get checked immediately because in severe cases, it can also cause vision loss.