10 Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Adults

signs and symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin, which is a kind of water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin B12 belongs to the list of 8 vitamins forming vitamin B-complex. The deficiency of vitamin B12 is not a bizarre occurrence.

According to a report published in 2024, lacking vitamin B12 commonly occurs in wealthier countries, especially among the elderly. It is most popular in the poor around the world.

Actually, the report claims that approximately 6 percentages of those after the age of 60 in the UK and the US are in the condition of vitamin B12 deficiency.

What Causes The Deficiency Of Vitamin B12?

Lacking vitamin B12 can happen because of a diet containing a poor source of vitamin B12.
Those following a vegetarian or vegan diet are often not provided with enough this vitamin as it is popularly present in animal products.

Another reason commonly causing the deficiency of vitamin B12 is pernicious anemia. This is known as an autoimmune disorder caused by losing stomach cells which make intrinsic factor, a kind of proteins aiding in vitamin B12 absorption in your intestine. This, in turn, causes vitamin B12 deficiency in your body.

People can be at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency if they are after the age of 50, eat vegan or a vegetarian diet, suffer from diseases affecting to digestion, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac, have had gastrointestinal surgery, are malnutritioned or are chronic alcoholics. Today, in this writing, VKool.com will introduce top 10 signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults. This article listed the early symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults from reliable sources. However, it is for the informational purpose. Keep following this writing to know if you are in this condition!

Top 10 Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency In Adults

1. Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Tingling Sensations And Numbness

symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency - tingling sensations and numbness

Vitamin B12 is responsible for keeping the nervous system healthy. Hence, neurological symptoms such as tingling sensation and numbness in your feet and hands can indicate a deficiency of vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 aids in the production of nerves and helps to move oxygen into various body parts. Supplying not enough oxygen may be one of the main reasons causing tingling sensations and numbness.

Besides, the deficiency of this vitamin can also lead to balance problems.

A study published in 1991 highlights the impact of vitamin B12 deficiency on the nervous system, causing muscle weakness, loss of cutaneous sensation, hyperactive or diminished reflexes, spasticity and fecal or urinary incontinence.

Read more: Neuropathy solution review – is Randall’s remedy useful?

2. Skin Lesions

A low source of vitamin B12 may also cause skin lesions and some changes in your hair.

A study in 2024 reports that lack of vitamin B12 is associated with skin lesions.

Non-resolving skin lesions without having any explained reason can be one of the early symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, you should see a doctor soon to get an exact diagnosis.

Apart from skin lesions, the deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause hyperpigmentation of your skin, leading to dark patches and uneven skin color on the skin.

3. Cognitive Decline

A low level of vitamin B12 may cause cognitive decline and poor memory.

Vitamin B12 assists the brain cells in forming new connections, which is a process allowing memory formation.

In addition, it is an essential component of myelin, which is a coating protecting several brain cells. This is the reason why a lack of vitamin B12 can seriously damage the nerve and deteriorate brain functioning.

A study published in 2005 suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to a condition of reversible dementia in older patients.

This kind of dementia is not similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, you need to have a thorough neuropsychological evaluation to get the exact diagnosis.

Another study in 2024 reports that people having a low level of vitamin B12 in the blood may be at a higher risk of lowering brain volumes as well as have some problems related to thinking skills.

4. Infertility

symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency - infertility

Do you know that the Deficiency Of Vitamin B12 can affect to both female and male fertility?

A study published in 2001 reports that lack of vitamin B12 is associated with infertility as well as recurrent miscarriages.

This study indicates that hypercoagulability caused by an increase of homocysteine levels can cause miscarriage during the early stage of lacking vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency for a long time may make ovulation or the ovum development be changed.

Moreover, this vitamin B12 deficiency may even make it difficult to carry your baby to full term.

Therefore, if you want to conceive, you should see your doctor to have a B12 test in order to improve the chance of having a baby naturally.

Learn more: 18 Home remedies for infertility in men and in women

5. Hypothyroidism

Another of top 8 symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency is an underactive thyroid gland which is also called as hypothyroidism.

In fact, the thyroid gland needs to be provided with a rich source of nutrients to aid in the hormone production regulating your body’s functions. And vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient you should supply.

Researchers report in a 2024 study that the deficiency of vitamin B12 commonly causes primary hypothyroidism and a supplement of vitamin B12 can improve the symptoms of this condition.

The study also highlighted that the vitamin B12 levels have an effect on all hypothyroid patients despite the condition of thyroid antibody.

Read more: best foods for hypothyroidism the natural thyroid diet 5

6. Depression

Vitamin B12 is also very necessary for mental health. This vitamin has the responsibility to form the red blood cells, which, in turn, aids in having a healthy nervous system.

Additionally, it is beneficial in lowering the homocysteine’s level, which is a byproduct of protein metabolism. You can fight against depression if you have a rich source of homocysteine.

This is the reason why people, particularly the elder people suffering from depression should consider to having a test if they have a possibility of lacking B12.

In fact, a study in 2024 highlights the importance of supplying vitamin B12 for treating major depressive disorder.

This study found that those experiencing depression had the significant improvement when applying vitamin B12 supplementation along with antidepressants to treat depression.

Read more: 62 Signs And Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety In Men & Women

7. Low Blood Pressure

symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency - low blood pressure

Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anemia, leading to hypotension (also known as low blood pressure).

Vitamin B12 is very beneficial in producing red blood cells in order that all the body parts, including your heart, will be provided with an adequate oxygen amount.

A 2024 study shows that neurologists pay much attention to the vitamin B12 deficiency. However, cardiologists have often overlooked this condition when healing low blood pressure.

Hence, if you are experiencing low blood pressure, you should see your doctor and have a B12 test. However, moderate forms of this condition can cause breathlessness, weakness, dizziness, a risk of injury by falls, and fainting.

See more: The causes of low blood pressure in adults: 8 reasons

8. Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Low Energy And Fatigue

Vitamin B12 is essential for energy metabolism. Therefore, the deficiency of this vitamin directly impacts on the endurance and energy levels.

In fact, vitamin B12 boosts the ability to produce DNA for the new cells, thus providing energy for your body. Your body also needs to be formed healthy red blood cells carrying oxygen to all the body parts. If your body does not have the proper oxygen levels, it will make you feel lethargic and tired.

Besides, you need vitamin B12 to help in turning foods you ate into energy to aid your metabolism because a low metabolism cannot give you the best feeling and the highest energy.

Learn more: How to treat fatigue naturally and get your energy back – 14 tips

Here are some additional tips that you can follow to fix symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency:

  • If you notice any symptom of lacking vitamin B12, you should see your doctor to have a blood test.
  • If you are diagnosed with the deficiency of vitamin B12, you should consume more foods rich in this vitamin such as shellfish, fish, meat (particularly liver), milk and milk products, and eggs.
  • People who do not consume animal-based products may consume foods rich in vitamin B12, including soy products, breakfast cereals, nutritional yeast, and energy bars. Because you will be at the higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency if you only eat a vegan diet, you should regularly get a vitamin B12 test to ensure a good health.
  • People taking medications for acid reflux or diabetes must also have a B12 test because some of them can inhibit the healthy vitamin B12 levels.
  • You can have an intake of vitamin B12 supplements in injection or pill forms after consulting the doctor.

Recommended articles: What is vitamin b12 good for in the body – top 13 benefits

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If you want to know more about other signs and symptoms of various conditions and diseases, please go to visit our main Health page. After reading the writing about top 10 signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults, hope that it can help you to know the early and common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults. However, the article is only for the informational purpose; therefore, you should see your doctor to get the best diagnosis. If you have any question related to any problem, please leave your comments below, I will respond you soon.  Also, if you know other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults, please share them with us.

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