Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that our bodies need to function properly. It helps make DNA, maintains healthy nerve cells, and produces red blood cells. While we can get Vitamin B12 from our diet, many people have low levels of this vitamin.

In fact, studies show that up to 15% of people over 60 years old have low B12 levels. This deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue to cognitive impairment and even depression. Here are 10 warning signs that you should be aware of:.

1. Fatigue and Weakness

Feeling tired and weak all the time is a common symptom of B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in red blood cell production, and if you have low levels, your body cannot produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.

This can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue and weakness.

2. Numbness or Tingling in the Hands and Feet

Vitamin B12 deficiency can damage the nerves in your body, leading to numbness or tingling sensations in your hands and feet.

This symptom is often one of the first signs of B12 deficiency and can be accompanied by a pins-and-needles sensation, burning, or prickling.

3. Pale or Jaundiced Skin

If you have a B12 deficiency, your skin may appear pale or yellowish. This can be due to the fact that your body cannot produce enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your skin.

In rare cases, a severe deficiency can lead to jaundice, a condition caused by the buildup of bilirubin in the body.

4. Difficulty Walking or Poor Balance

Since B12 plays a role in nerve function, a deficiency can cause neurological symptoms like difficulty walking or poor balance. People with B12 deficiency may experience a loss of sensation in their feet, making it harder to walk properly.

5. Vision Changes

A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause vision changes as well. Some people with a B12 deficiency report blurred or double vision, a sensitivity to light, or even vision loss.

If you experience any changes in your vision, you should consult with a healthcare professional.

6. Memory Loss or Cognitive Impairment

B12 deficiency can also affect cognitive function. People with low levels of B12 may experience memory loss or confusion. They may struggle to concentrate or process information.

This can have a significant impact on daily life, including work or school performance.

7. Mood Changes

Vitamin B12 is crucial for mood regulation, and a deficiency can cause mood changes like depression or anxiety. This is because B12 helps produce the neurotransmitters that regulate mood, like serotonin and dopamine.

8. Difficulty Eating or Digesting Food

Some people with B12 deficiency may experience difficulty eating, which can be due to mouth ulcers or sores. B12 deficiency can also cause digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

9. A Swollen or Inflamed Tongue

A swollen, red, or inflamed tongue can be a sign of B12 deficiency. This is because B12 plays a role in maintaining the health of the tongue’s papillae, the small bumps on the surface that give it its texture.

Without enough B12, the tongue can become inflamed or swollen.

10. Heart Palpitations or Shortness of Breath

Low levels of B12 can also affect the cardiovascular system. If you have a B12 deficiency, you may experience heart palpitations or shortness of breath.

This is because B12 plays a role in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the heart and lungs.

Conclusion

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can diagnose B12 deficiency, and treatment is usually straightforward.

B12 injections or supplements can help raise your levels and alleviate symptoms.